Motorcycles move fast and are easy to miss. With more delivery drivers and rideshare riders using motorcycles, crashes are up across Colorado. In fact, motorcycle deaths have increased 57% across the Centennial State, killing 165 people in 2024.
If you have ever seen an Uber Eats bag on the back of a bike flying by, you know how tricky things get. When a crash happens with an Uber, Lyft, or delivery rider, things get messy. Figuring out who pays for an injury or damage can get confusing.
Let’s learn about delivery riders, Lyft, or Uber motorcycle crash liability.
Why Are Colorado Motorcycle Crash Claims Involving Delivery Riders Complicated?
Colorado is an at-fault state, which means you need to prove that the other driver, road hazards, or a mechanical fault led to your accident. In a basic motorcycle crash, you are typically dealing with one party to be held responsible for the crash.
But with a rideshare motorcycle accident, you are looking at multiple parties. This may include:
- The rideshare/delivery company.
- The rider’s personal insurance.
- The other driver’s insurance.
- Passengers or pedestrians.
Who Is Liable After a Rideshare Motorcycle Accident?
All rideshare companies in the US, including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and others, have special insurance rules. This can change based on whether the rider is “on the app,” driving to pick someone up, or out making deliveries.
Here is a quick review of this:
- Off Duty (App Off): The motorcycle’s own insurance usually applies.
- On Duty (App On and Waiting for Rides): Rideshare insurance offers low-level coverage, but only if the rider’s own policy does not cover enough.
- While Picking Up/Dropping Off: The rideshare company’s insurance gives up to $1 million in liability.
Colorado motorcycle crash claims can get even more complicated. Most rideshare riders use personal bikes, but the standard motorcycle insurance typically does not cover commercial use. So, even if you think you’re covered, you may not be.
What to Do If You’re in a Rideshare Motorcycle Crash?
If you get into a motorcycle crash with an Uber, Lyft, or delivery rider, your claim could get complicated quickly. You need to act fast so you don’t miss out on legal help or lose critical evidence. Here’s how you can protect yourself:
1. Call 911
Get help first, even if no one looks badly hurt. A police report backs up your story, lists those involved, and creates an official record that insurance companies check. Emergency crews also make sure hidden injuries get treated right away.
2. Get Witness Info
Look around for people who saw the crash happen. Ask for their names and contact numbers. Witnesses can tell what they saw and help prove what actually happened, especially when insurance companies argue over fault.
3. Take Photos
Use your phone to snap pictures of all the vehicles, the road, traffic lights, and any damage. Capture street signs, weather conditions, and any injuries. These pictures stop insurers from twisting the facts later and help speed up your motorcycle crash claim in Colorado.
4. Note App Status
Ask if the Uber, Lyft, or delivery rider was on their app, waiting for a ride, or making a delivery. The app status changes what insurance kicks in. Screenshots of the rideshare or delivery screen can help your lawyer determine who’s responsible.
5. Save Receipts
If the driver or rider was on a delivery, grab screenshots of their trip record or app order. These records prove the rider was working at the time. Deliveries create extra insurance coverage for your Lyft or Uber motorcycle crash liability claim.
6. Go to The Doctor
Sometimes you feel fine at first, but pain sets in later, especially if you have suffered injuries like whiplash. Always get checked by a doctor, even if you think you’re okay. Medical records show you took care of your health. Also, document your injuries early, so insurance can’t say you waited too long.
7. Contact A Local Lawyer
Dealing with insurance or rideshare companies is complicated, so you should hire a skilled local attorney as soon as possible. If you are injured in Aurora, consult a motorcycle accident lawyer who knows the local laws and legal system.
A skilled rideshare accident lawyer will analyze all the details, contact the right people, and fight to get you paid for your losses. With a lawyer on your side, insurance companies are unlikely to trick you into settling for a lowball offer or stall your claim.
Wrapping Up
A rideshare motorcycle accident in Colorado is complicated. Insurance companies and rideshare apps will typically try to pass on the blame or use delay tactics. If you want to win your claim or get the desired sentiment, you need to act quickly and work with a competent lawyer. Get the legal help you need quickly, and don’t let the companies push you around.
