Denver Uber & Lyft Accidents Attorneys

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

Whether you're a passenger, a rideshare driver, or another involved party, here are essential steps to take:

• Check for Injuries: Your priority should be safety. Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 if anyone is seriously hurt.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Some injuries (like whiplash or internal bleeding) can take hours or days to become apparent.
• Report the Accident: Notify the police and ensure a report is filed. The incident can also be reported through their app or website to the rideshare company.
• Document Everything: Take photos of the vehicles, scene, injuries, and property damage. Get the names, contact info, and insurance details of all drivers involved, and contact info for any witnesses.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting guilt. Stick to the facts when speaking to police, insurance adjusters, or rideshare representatives.
• Consult a Rideshare Accident Attorney: Rideshare accident claims could be very complex because of the multiple parties and insurance policies involved. A skilled attorney can help you navigate your options, deal with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation.

Contributing Factors in Rideshare Accidents

As mentioned above, technology has become a major cause of rideshare accidents, providing a new host of distractions. But it is just one factor in a rideshare accident and your injuries could have been the result of:

• Driver Distraction: Rideshare drivers have several different sources of distraction, including noisy passengers, app notifications, calls from angry clients, and often complicated GPS instructions.
• Driver Fatigue: The more people they transport to their destinations, the more money rideshare drivers make. This causes them to pack on multiple hours, often working late nights to ferry passengers between hotels and Denver International Airport. If they drift often, they put themselves, their passengers, and other drivers in danger.
• Speeding: Rideshare drivers are in a hurry to pick up passengers and get them to their destinations so they can accept more rides and earn more money. Despite common knowledge that speeding is a major factor in most accidents, drivers will still do it to pick up a new client or as a result of passenger demands. Whatever the reason, they should always obey the speed limit.
• Tailgating: Following too closely is dangerous driving behavior, but all too common, particularly in heavy traffic. A rideshare driver who is tailgating may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision with the vehicle ahead.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug use can significantly impair reaction time and driving ability. Although impaired driving is illegal for Uber and Lyft drivers, as well as any other person operating a motor vehicle, major rideshare companies do not conduct random drug and alcohol testing to prevent it.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Some of the most common include the following:

• Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Sudden stops or collisions could cause the neck to jerk violently, resulting in whiplash. This is especially common in rear-end accidents and may not present symptoms immediately.
• Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can happen even without direct head impact. These injuries could range from mild to severe and often require immediate medical evaluation.
• Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal injuries may include herniated discs or even paralysis in severe cases. These injuries are often long-term and can significantly impact quality of life.
• Broken Bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or facial bones can occur, mainly if the accident is high-impact or if airbags deploy.
• Cuts and Bruises: These may result from shattered glass or loose items in the vehicle. While some may be minor, others could require stitches or lead to infection.
• Emotional Trauma: Psychological injuries such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression can arise, especially if the accident was particularly traumatic.