The Tenge Law Firm, LLC’s Past Results
The legal team at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, has extensive experience handling motor vehicle accident cases, including those involving rideshare companies. In recent cases, the firm recovered more than $800,000 for a woman who was in a rear-end collision, $950,000 for a woman who was hit by a teen driver while traveling, and $1,350,000 for a driver who was in a head-on collision on her way to work in Denver. These examples of past results do not guarantee a particular outcome in your case, but the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, will fight to get the best possible outcome for your individual situation.
Over $50M Recovered in the Past Seven Years
At the Tenge Law Firm LLC, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for our clients as soon as possible. Each case and each client is different, so we work directly with clients to meet their needs for medical care and personal situations. We have enjoyed great success, with exceedingly high client satisfaction, using this approach.
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$3,250,000 Rollover auto accident involving defective roof and serious injuries
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$1,500,000 Tire blowout on I-70 causing serious injuries
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$1,475,000 Auto accident with head, neck and back injuries
Hundreds of 5-star Reviews. Exceptional Results
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"They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well."
Paige and Nina were a delight to work with. They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well. They made me feel like I was in good hands and could trust them!
- Rachel V. -
"They treated me like family"
Todd, Liz and Nina were amazing. They handled my case very professionally. I recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a great firm. They treated me like family
- Jenn K. -
"Would highly recommend to anyone!!"
Tenge Law Firm helped me out when I was in a accident that involved my whole family. They were great and fast with the entire process, and were awesome at keeping me updated throughout the entire process. Would highly recommend to anyone!!
- Zack K. -
"Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient"
I highly recommend this law firm! They take care of everything in a timely manner & alleviate any harassment while you recover from injuries. Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient...if you need an attorney, Tenge Law is the place to go!
- Betty C. -
"Definitely made it a stress-free experience"
Brenda was my attorney. She was amazing, helped me through the whole process. Definitely made it a stress-free experience, especially after going through something so traumatic! Was extremely attentive and always kept me updated on how my case was going! I would 1000% recommend them to everyone and anyone!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
- Zitlaly O.
Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Situations that lead to rideshare accidents do not differ greatly from any other motor vehicle accidents, but rideshare drivers are especially vulnerable to certain types of accidents because of the nature of the service they offer. Although each accident is different, here are some common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents:
- Distracted driving – Driving while distracted has long been a cause of motor vehicle accidents, but Uber and Lyft drivers are especially vulnerable. In addition to normal distractions like food, radios, and talking or texting on cell phones, rideshare drivers might be distracted by loud, drunk, or annoying passengers, as well as their GPS. Entering information in the GPS as well as listening to the instructions causes distractions that might cause a driver to take their eyes off the road, leading to an accident.
- Drowsy driving – Uber and Lyft restrict the number of consecutive hours a driver can work per day, but that doesn’t completely eliminate the problem. For example, Lyft requires that drivers take a minimum six-hour break for every 14 hours they drive; however, 14 hours is still a long time to go without a break. Additionally, this doesn’t account for the fact that Lyft is a second job for many people. Drivers might already be tired from working somewhere else. The time limit also only includes driving; it does not account for long breaks between rides or other employment.
- Drinking and driving – Drinking and driving is dangerous and illegal. Alcohol and other controlled substances impair judgment, slow reaction time, and lead to worse decision-making. For-hire drivers certainly are not allowed to drink and drive, but Uber and Lyft do not conduct random alcohol/drug testing. Although alcohol could certainly lead to a rideshare accident, driving under the influence of marijuana is of more concern in Colorado. As the first state to legalize recreational use, rideshare drivers who use are more likely to cause an accident because of impaired driving.
- Speeding – Violating traffic regulations might lead to accidents, but Uber and Lyft drivers are likely to speed. Riders want to get to their destinations quickly, and rideshare drivers want to give as many rides as possible to make more money. Speeding increases the likelihood of severe injuries and fatalities when crashes do occur.
- Tailgating – Following another vehicle too closely is another behavior common in Lyft and Uber drivers in a hurry. Tailgating doesn’t leave enough distance for a rideshare driver to respond if the car in front of him stops or turns quickly.
- Poor maintenance – Rideshare drivers in Colorado are legally obligated to have their car inspected once per year by their rideshare company or by a certified mechanic to check steering, lights, brakes, tires, and more. In the event that a driver doesn’t comply, issues such as worn brake pads or tire blowouts might cause an accident.
However, not all the blame can be placed on Uber and Lyft drivers. Other drivers are completely capable of committing these same acts of negligence and causing a collision with rideshare drivers. Rideshare drivers often work at late hours, meaning they are more likely to encounter drowsy or drunk drivers. If you were a passenger in a rideshare accident, you may have multiple sources of compensation to pull from, including the other driver's and rideshare driver’s insurance policies.
Common Injuries in an Uber & Lyft Accidents
Common injuries may include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: These are often caused by the sudden jolts associated with rear-end collisions, which are common in busy rideshare environments.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even a mild concussion can have long-lasting effects, while more severe head injuries could demand extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
- Broken Bones: The impact of a crash can lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and other parts of the body.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine could lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or even paralysis in extreme cases.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn ligaments, sprains, and muscle injuries are common after a crash and can take weeks or months to heal.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a collision can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs, which may not be instantly noticeable but require urgent medical attention.
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Reviews
When our clients are happy, they say so. Whether we’re being described for how well we communicate, our responsiveness, or the quality of our service, we’re consistently rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by those we represent.
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Ratings
As an industry leader in the field of personal injury, we're proud to maintain a superb 10.0 out of 10.0 rating on AVVO.com, have a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and have recently been awarded Client Champion Platinum status from Lawyers.com.
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Results
In the last ten years, we've recovered $50 million on behalf of our clients. Our motto is simple - You do what you need to do physically recover, and we'll handle the rest.
Phases of Rideshare Insurance
Rideshare drivers have insurance coverage from both their personal provider and the rideshare company. The degree of coverage from either provider is based on what the driver is doing at the time of the accident:
- Phase 1: Phase 1 is when the app is active, but the driver has not yet received a pick-up request. Here, the driver is covered by their personal auto policy as well as the rideshare company’s insurance coverage. Although both Uber and Lyft offer coverage during this period, they only offer liability protection for other vehicles or passengers. Thus, if an accident occurs during this phase, rideshare drivers might find that they have limited coverage for their own injuries and vehicle damage unless their personal policy explicitly covers it, underscoring the need to scrutinize individual insurance plans.
- Phase 2: Phase 2 is the period when a driver has the app active, has received a request for a ride, and is heading to pick up the requested passenger. All insurance coverage is handled by Lyft or Uber at this point. This phase helps ensure that any accidents occurring while en route for a pick-up are covered more comprehensively by the company’s insurance, representing a significant shift in responsibility.
- Period 3: This phase begins when the driver is taking a customer to their destination. Lyft’s or Uber’s insurance policies cover this period thoroughly, offering increased coverage levels since the passenger is on board. This comprehensive protection emphasizes the ride service's role in ensuring safety and coverage during active rides.
Colorado’s Senate Bill 25, the Transportation Network Company Act, requires rideshare companies to provide primary coverage for liability when the driver is signed into the parent app. This means you may have to deal with Uber or Lyft’s insurance carrier after a crash with injuries.
However, if your accident was caused by another driver, you may have to file a claim against their insurance company instead. In either situation, you will want to discuss your case with an attorney to ensure you receive proper representation throughout the entire process.
Seeking Compensation After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Ridesharing accidents often include multiple parties and insurance companies, making them complex cases; it is often wise to hire a lawyer to guide you through the process. You will need to determine if the rideshare driver caused the accident or if fault lies with another driver. An experienced personal injury attorney who has dealt with rideshare claims and lawsuits will guide you through the claims process and advise you if and when a formal lawsuit is required.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, filing an insurance claim might be enough to get compensation for your damages; however, insurance companies do not like to pay out claims, especially if they represent a large company like Uber or Lyft. This inherent reluctance to maximize claims payouts often necessitates robust legal intervention. It is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to advise you if and when the time is right to escalate an insurance claim to a personal injury lawsuit. In the event that you sue, you might be able to recover the following damages:
- Medical costs including emergency services, hospitalization, x-rays, surgery, doctor visits, medication, and more
- Lost wages for time away from work due to your injury
- Future medical costs in the event of a long-term disability or catastrophic injury that requires a long time to fully recover
- Future lost wages if an injury results in a disability that prevents you from returning to your job
- Non-economic damages for pain and suffering, loss of consortium, scarring, disfigurement, and more
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Steps to take following an accident include:
Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention: Your well-being should always come first. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 immediately to request medical assistance. Even if you don’t feel hurt initially, some injuries may not show symptoms right away, so it’s important to get checked by a medical professional.
Report the Accident: Notify the police and request that an official accident report be filed. This report will serve as an important piece of evidence in your case. Additionally, report the incident to the rideshare company through their app. Both Uber and Lyft have procedures for documenting accidents, which may be necessary for filing claims.
Gather Evidence: If it is safe to do so, collect as much information as possible from the scene of the accident, including:
- Contact information for all parties involved, including the rideshare driver, other drivers, and witnesses.
- Insurance information for all drivers involved.
- Photos or videos of the vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible injuries.
- A copy of the rideshare trip details from your app.
Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault, like apologizing for the accident. Even casual comments can be used against you when determining liability.
Consult an Experienced Lawyer: Uber and Lyft accidents often involve complex legal and insurance issues. Rideshare companies categorize their drivers as independent contractors, making liability harder to establish. Additionally, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies differ depending on the circumstances of the accident, like whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger or simply logged into the app.
Contact Our Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Boulder Today
Our skilled Boulder personal injury attorneys will anticipate counterclaims and other strategies that the defense might use to avoid paying damages. Additionally, we can help investigate your rideshare accident, gather evidence and relevant documentation such as medical reports, police reports, and witness statements; enlist experts to support your case; and negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies. When insurance companies are not willing to offer full and fair payment, we are prepared to litigate your case and pursue the compensation that you deserve.
We are empathetic to the struggles that come with a serious injury and wish to help you through this difficult time, so you can focus on recovery. This compassion drives us to not only pursue monetary compensation but also facilitate connections to resources that promote healing and well-being. If you choose Tenge Law Firm LLC to represent you, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay attorney fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Contact our top legal team at (303) 219-7377 for a free consultation to discuss your Lyft or Uber accident with our Boulder car accident lawyer before the statute of limitations runs out. You have three years to take legal action in Colorado when a motor vehicle is involved.
