If you were injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger in Colorado, you can make a claim, and a driver who tries to talk you out of it is a red flag. Your driver is most likely a regular person driving their own car, which is why many passengers feel uneasy about filing. But the driver may work very hard to convince you not to do anything, even if you’ve been hurt. We hear this from clients all the time.
As Marlo Greer graphically explains in her TikTok post on this topic, drivers will often try to minimize what happened. Based on her work as a personal injury attorney, her advice is simple: don’t listen to anything your rideshare driver says, especially if they’re trying to talk you out of a claim.
If Your Rideshare Driver Discourages an Injury Claim
Here are some of the things drivers say:
- “Well, it was just an accident; accidents happen.”
- “Rideshare companies are just apps,” as though there is nothing to be gained by making a claim with Uber or Lyft. (That’s incorrect.)
- “We can figure this out between the two of us; there’s no need to call the police.”
- “I’m not hurt,” as if that means you shouldn’t be injured either.
If you are injured in a rideshare crash, protect yourself. First, contact the police. Then talk to a personal injury lawyer, who can help you understand your rights so you can make a clear decision about whether to file a claim.
What to Save After an Uber or Lyft Crash
Hold on to these while they’re easy to find:
- Your trip receipt from the app
- The driver’s name and the vehicle’s make, model and plate
- Screenshots that identify the ride, such as the route and time
- Photos of the scene, the vehicles and your injuries
- Any medical records you already have
If police didn’t come to the scene, read Car Insurance Claims Without a Police Report in Colorado.
Insurance Questions After an Uber or Lyft Passenger Injury
Rideshare injury claims can be complicated. Rideshare companies provide insurance for their drivers, but it’s only active once the driver has turned on the app.
That means there are periods when the driver is in their car and the rideshare company’s insurance may not cover them. In those cases, the driver’s own insurance is the primary coverage. The amount of coverage may also vary depending on what the driver is doing at the time of the crash. (Typically, coverage is lower until the driver “accepts” a ride.)
Once the driver accepts a ride request, the rideshare company’s coverage increases substantially. That higher level of coverage stays in place until the passenger has been dropped off.
So there are two potential sources of compensation if you’re injured in a rideshare crash: the rideshare company’s insurance and the driver’s insurance. And most crashes involve another vehicle. The other driver may share some or all of the responsibility for your injuries and is legally required to carry their own insurance. That raises the potential sources of coverage, and the complexity of the claim, to three, or more in a multi-vehicle crash.
For more, read Who Is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Colorado? and Who Pays Medical Bills After a Colorado Car Accident?
Talking to a Lawyer About a Rideshare Claim
If you’re hurt in a rideshare crash, don’t let anyone talk you out of a claim until you’ve spoken with a personal injury lawyer. We understand how rideshare insurance works and help clients after car crashes, including rideshare crashes. We can explain your rights as a seriously or permanently injured passenger and what filing a claim involves.
Call Greer Law Group at 303-331-6460 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.
