Many Boulder residents rely on rideshare apps, such as Uber or Lyft, to travel from place to place. Although these companies purport to provide a safe mode of transportation, accidents can occur involving rideshare vehicles, injuring other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
If you are in an accident with a rideshare driver, you may be eligible to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In these situations, the Boulder rideshare accident attorneys at Purvis Thomson, LLP can represent your claim and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Colorado is a fault-based insurance state, meaning that drivers who are responsible for car accidents must pay for their victims’ damages. During a rideshare accident, the party who is responsible for the collision may be the rideshare driver or another driver who collides with the rideshare vehicle. In some cases, the manufacturer of a defective auto part may be liable for the collision.
If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you have multiple options for compensation. If another driver who is not a rideshare contractor caused the collision, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against him or her. Cases involving defective auto parts will require a product liability lawsuit. If the rideshare driver is responsible for the collision, however, the process for obtaining compensation becomes more complex.
Rideshare companies consider their drivers to be independent contractors, not employees. This means that the company is not liable for any accidents that occur while its drivers are providing rides to its customers. However, Uber and Lyft do provide drivers with certain amounts of liability coverage in the event of an accident.
You cannot file a claim against the rideshare insurance until you have exhausted the driver’s personal insurance policy. If the rideshare company denies coverage after you file a claim, you can file a lawsuit against the rideshare driver. Since the company is not technically the driver’s employer, you cannot file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft directly after the car accident.
If you are injured in a Boulder rideshare accident, the attorneys at Purvis Thomson, LLP can help. We have represented injured Colorado residents since 1985 and can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your path to recovery.