A Denver resident is finding out the hard way how difficult it can be to get Lyft to pay up after an accident. Lyft and other rideshare companies like Uber make a lot of promises to drivers and riders, including claims of safety measures, background checks, and insurance coverage in the event of an accident. However, when it comes time to pay for medical bills or car repairs, suddenly Lyft and Uber have no interest in helping. 

If you are injured while riding in the back of Lyft, what will Lyft do to pay for your medical bills?

Denver Rollover Crash for Lyft Passenger

Brian Fritts, of Denver, was a passenger in a Lyft when the vehicle was hit by another vehicle. According to Fritts, he does not remember much about that accident. “The car went off the road and I woke up in the hospital,” Fritts told CBS 4. 

Apparently, a hit-and-run accident caused a rollover crash, leaving Fritts requiring emergency care. The accident occurred on I-25 just south of the 6th Avenue exit. The Lyft driver was forced off the road, crashing through a fence, and rolling over before coming to a stop at the edge of some train tracks. Fritts was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical care. 

Fritts suffered multiple broken vertebrae, a broken jaw, and a number of other serious injuries. After back surgery and time for recovery, Fritts was left with medical bills totaling more than $173,000. As a Lyft passenger in a Lyft at the time of the accident, Fritts expected the company to cover his injuries. He was wrong.

Making Lyft Pay for Injury Accidents

We've written about other Lyft riders and Lyft drivers left holding the bag after an accident, with Lyft trying to avoid responsibility. In September, we wrote about a tourist visiting the U.S. who was injured in a Lyft ride, with no relief from Lyft. In November, we wrote about a Lyft driver who went through a nightmare after another driver caused an accident. 

As many Lyft accident victims have learned, Lyft often denies coverage, telling the victim to get money from the driver's personal policy. The driver's personal insurance says that they will not pay the claim and that the injury victim should get the money from Lyft. Meanwhile, the injury victim is left suffering serious injuries and expensive medical bills.     

Colorado's Transportation Network Company Act

Colorado was one of the first states to pass legislation regulating the rideshare industry. The Transportation Network Company Act, among other actions, is supposed to clarify insurance coverage requirements for drivers and the rideshare companies. Unfortunately, there are still problems in the way that the insurance companies and Lyft and Uber treat rides for hire. Lyft makes some very confusing claims on their insurance resources website. 

An average Lyft driver would expect that their own policy is okay for driving and that Lyft will cover any rides. That is generally not the case. Lyft will often approve a driver without making sure the driver's insurance policy will cover rides-for-hire. This means the driver may not learn about their gap in coverage until after an accident, leaving them personally liable for damages.  

Denver Lyft Accident Attorney

If you suffered an injury in a Lyft accident, you could be entitled to monetary compensation. Experienced legal counsel provides you with the best chance of obtaining the financial compensation you deserve. If you were injured in a Lyft or Uber accident in the greater Denver metropolitan area, please do not hesitate to contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.