Lakewood Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you have suffered injuries in a Lakewood rideshare accident, Colorado law permits you to take legal action to recover damages related to your injuries. A skilled Lakewood rideshare accident lawyer can review the circumstances of your case and advise you on the best way to seek compensation for your losses.

Causes of Lakewood Rideshare Accidents

Proponents of ridesharing argue that companies like Lyft and Uber reduce the number of drivers on the road, especially late at night, creating roads that are safer for everyone who uses them. However, rideshare companies continuously find themselves in the media because of negligent drivers. These companies do not share specific accident data, but on a general level, the most common causes of rideshare accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Rideshare drivers need to use their cell phones to log in and log out of the app they use to find riders, making cell phone use a major distraction. However, passengers are likely a driver's biggest distraction. Rideshare drivers need to call to get directions when riders enter poor information in the app. Other times they may need to deal with potentially inebriated riders. Rideshare drivers who aren't paying attention to driving put others at risk for accidents and injuries.

Speeding

The way rideshare companies operate incentivizes drivers to speed. Drivers get paid for each trip, so they need to make as many trips as possible during their shift to make the most money. Additionally, riders want to get to and from their destinations quickly. Speeding increases the difficulty of controlling a vehicle, especially in heavy traffic or when road hazards are present. 

Fatigued Driving

Rideshare drivers, like other professional drivers, are prone to drowsy or fatigued driving. Many companies have policies about how long a driver can give rides each day; Uber prohibits drivers from operating more than 12 hours each day, and Lyft has a 14-hour cut-off. However, drivers can easily circumvent these rules, especially when driving for more than one company. 

Driving Under the Influence

Consuming alcohol or using drugs before getting behind the wheel prevents rideshare drivers from reacting to the road safely. Rideshare drivers do not have to undergo random drug and alcohol screenings because the federal government does not regulate them like they do other professional drivers. Riders and others on the road are at risk when negligent rideshare drivers use controlled substances. 

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Colorado law requires rideshare drivers to have yearly vehicle inspections and rideshare companies also have inspection requirements. Yet, these inspections do not guarantee adequate maintenance throughout the year. Poor vehicle maintenance leads to mechanical breakdowns. Failure at a critical moment, such as in heavy traffic or at an intersection, can lead to a dangerous and deadly collision. Engine failure, tire blowouts, and brake system failure are among the most dangerous maintenance issues that can lead to severe accidents.

Suing for Damages After a Lakewood Rideshare Accident

If you sustained injuries because of a negligent rideshare driver, Colorado law entitles you to seek compensation for damages in civil court against the driver or the rideshare company. If you bring a lawsuit and reach a settlement agreement or a jury rules in your favor, you could receive compensation for economic and noneconomic losses related to your Lakewood rideshare accident and injuries. Common damages included in rideshare accident claims include compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, doctor visits, and prescription medication
• Estimated future medical treatment costs if a rideshare accident leads to a permanent injury that requires continuous treatment
• Costs for specialized treatment like physical and occupational therapy and assistive devices, like crutches, wheelchairs, and canes
• Lost wages or future earning capacity from missing work due to injury, hospitalization, and rehabilitation
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering.
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium with a spouse
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Punitive damages if a Lakewood rideshare accident occurs because of gross negligence

Your Lakewood rideshare accident attorney can review the circumstances of your rideshare accident to determine which damages apply to your case.

Get the Legal Help You Need from a Lakewood Rideshare Accident Lawyer at Mintz Law Firm

Rideshare accident claims are notoriously complex because they typically involve the rideshare company as well as the driver. You should not have to absorb the losses you face when a negligent rideshare driver caused your injuries, nor should you have to face a rideshare company's large legal teams and sometimes intimidating insurance provider. The experienced Lakewood rideshare accident lawyers at Mintz Law Firm know how to communicate with insurance companies and can advocate for you to work to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us online or call (303) 462-2999 to discuss your Lakewood rideshare accident, your injuries, and to learn more about how we can help.