Injuries in a car accident can range from minor to fatal. Broken bones and fractures are common in car accidents and may take a long time to heal, leaving injury victims unable to return to their full jobs and make an income. When an Uber driver causes an injury accident, Uber and the driver should be responsible for paying for your losses.
Unfortunately, Uber and its insurance providers may not be quick to pay for your medical bills and lost wages. It may take a call to the attorneys at accidentdenver.com to get you the maximum compensation after a rideshare accident in Denver. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Broken Bones Injuries in a Car Accident
Broken bones and fractures in a car accident can be caused by the body being forced against a hard or stationary object, putting pressure on the bone to the point it cracks or breaks. The seriousness of broken bone injuries generally depends on a number of factors, including:
- Speed of the accident,
- Type of impact (head-on, T-bone, or rear-end),
- Age of the victim,
- Size of the victim,
- Use of seatbelt,
- Age of the vehicle,
- Safety features in the vehicle,
- Whether the victim was a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist, and
- Location of the victim relative to the collision.
Broken bones and fractures in a car accident can range from a cracked bone that is painful but requires no medical treatment, to fatal, multi-bone fractures. Some common bone breaks in a car accident include:
- Broken ribs,
- Broken hip,
- Broken tibia/leg,
- Broken wrist,
- Broken ankle,
- Broken fingers,
- Skull fracture,
- Femur fracture,
- Broken shoulder/clavicle, and
- Broken arms.
Broken bones can cause fatal injuries, generally from pressing the fractured bone into vital organs or breaking an artery. Fractures with arterial injuries can occur in the leg, hip, pelvis, shoulder, neck, or other areas where bones are next to a large artery. In fractures with arterial injuries, time may be of the essence. The longer it takes for the victim to get medical treatment, the greater the risk of fatal loss of blood.
Fractures that rupture vital organs can also be fatal, such as a punctured lung where the victim cannot take in enough oxygen. Fractures that puncture the kidneys, spleen, liver, pancreas, intestines, or brain can cause uncontained internal bleeding or infection.
Uber Drivers and Broken Bones Accidents
With more Uber drivers on the road, Uber drivers are increasingly involved in injury accidents, including accidents causing broken bones. Uber drivers can be the cause of an accident just like any other driver. However, there are some inherent risks of rideshare driving that may increase the risk of a broken bone accident to Uber passengers, other drivers, and even the Uber drivers themselves. Common causes of Uber driver accidents may include:
- Deadheading
- Distracted Driving
- Inexperienced Uber Drivers
- Drowsy Driving
- Traffic Violations
- Speeding
Negligence and Liability with Uber Accidents
Fault and liability in a car accident are generally based on negligence. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care which causes injury to another. Negligence may also be shown through violating a traffic law that causes an accident, such as speeding or failure to stop at a traffic signal.
Even if the Uber driver admits to causing the accident at the scene, Uber may still try and delay payment or use common insurance company tactics to reduce their payout. Before talking to Uber or their insurance company after an accident, you can call an experienced rideshare accident lawyer for help. Your lawyer will deal with Uber and the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation after a broken bone accident.
Compensation from Uber and the Insurance Company for Broken Bone Injuries
Compensation and which insurance policy covers your injuries may depend on what the Uber driver was doing at the time of the accident. There are 3 possible insurance policy coverages for Uber drivers, based on their Uber app activity.
If the Uber driver has not gone active on the app or turns the app off when finished working, the driver's personal, minimum liability insurance will generally apply. Mandatory minimum coverage includes:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in an accident;
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident; and
- $15,000 for property damage in any one accident.
Once the driver is active on the app but before accepting a ride or after the driver drops off a passenger and is still active on the app, contingent coverage applies. Under Colorado's Transportation Network Companies (TNC) laws, Uber must provide coverage over the minimum individual liability of:
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in an accident; and
- $100,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident
If the Uber driver accepts a ride request, is on the way to pick up the passenger, or has the passenger in the vehicle, Uber's policy provides coverage for up to $1 million.
If your damages are more than the policy limit, Uber or the driver may be liable for any additional losses, even beyond the insurance coverage limits.
Damages for Broken Bones in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Damages from a car accident depend on the seriousness of the injuries, time to heal, and other factors. When filing an accident claim with Uber or filing a personal injury lawsuit, the injury victim can seek damages, which include the economic and non-economic losses caused by the accident.
The primary damages in a broken bone accident may include medical bills and loss of income. A simple broken bone injury may only cost a few thousand dollars. However, multi-bone fractures or more serious broken bones (like fractured femur or broken back) can require multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, hospitalization, and may leave permanent damage.
Loss of income can also range from a couple of days off work to permanent disability. Serious broken bone injuries can make it impossible for someone to return to their job,
Questions After an Uber Accident in Colorado
The attorneys at accidentdenver.com have successfully represented victims of Uber accidents and their families in Denver, Boulder, Aurora, and throughout Colorado. Do not rely on Uber or the insurance company to look out for your rights. Our experienced attorneys will fight to get the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.