A Denver Uber driver who is out of work after his van was damaged in a hit-and-run accident is warning other rideshare drivers to make sure they have the right insurance coverage.
Bashir Elmabrouk told The Denver Channel that he has not been able to work for weeks after the crash, which he said was caused by another driver who ran a stop sign in the Sloan Lake area. Although local police later tracked down the woman, she was not insured. Elmabrouk says his insurer is not covering the crash because he did not have uninsured motorist coverage.
Fixing the van, which Elmabrouk uses to drive for Uber during the summer before returning to work at Metropolitan State University in the fall, will cost him $3,000 or more, according to Elmabrouk. That has left him struggling to make ends meet for his wife and six kids.
“My car is gone, and this is the only resource … in the summer for me to make any income,” he told the news outlet.
The ridesharing accident highlights the threat posed by uninsured drivers.
More than 16% of drivers in Colorado are uninsured, a Rocky Mountain Insurance Association told The Denver Channel. Drivers who do not have the appropriate insurance coverage are likely to be on the hook for medical bills and vehicle damage if they are involved in car accidents with uninsured motorists. If you have been injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver, our Denver car accident lawyer is here to discuss your legal rights and options.
Rideshare Accidents and Insurance Coverage
Elmabrouk’s saga is also a good reminder of the limits of insurance coverage for rideshare accidents.
Drivers for ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have to maintain insurance in order to drive under the company name. It is not clear, however, whether they are also required to verify coverage intermittently once they start driving for the companies.
Uber and Lyft also provide certain limits of insurance coverage to their driving force, which varies based on the situation. It is important to note though that these limits can vary and are not at the recommended levels. For both companies if you have yet to accept a ride, or have not yet turned on the app, the company insurance policies won’t apply, for example.
Our Denver Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Colorado, a Denver car accident lawyer at Levine Law can help you maximize your compensation.
Our personal injury attorneys combine decades of experience helping people injured in a wide range of accidents get the money they deserve. Our firm is proud of our strong track record of success for the people that we represent in the courtroom and through a negotiated settlement.
Our firm is pleased to serve clients throughout Colorado, including in Denver, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins and Loveland. Call us at 303-333-8000 or contact us online to speak with a Denver car accident lawyer.
