Utah Rideshare Accident Attorney

Living in Salt Lake City Utah provides the convenience of rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. However, with the rise in their usage comes an increase in rideshare accidents. When such an accident occurs, it is critical to seek the guidance of a Utah rideshare accident attorney to file a claim and pursue compensation for any injury-related expenses.

Unlike traditional car accidents, rideshare accidents often involve a third party – the rideshare company – which adds complexity to the question of liability. The responsibility of the rideshare company in these cases can depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the injuries incurred, the driver’s record, and the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are required to provide third-party liability coverage for their drivers. However, this coverage applies only when the driver is logged into the rideshare app and has accepted a ride request. On the other hand, the driver’s personal auto insurance may provide comprehensive and collision coverage when the driver is not on duty.

Common Causes Of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents, involving services like Uber and Lyft, can occur due to a variety of reasons. While each accident is unique, there are common causes that often contribute to these incidents.

  1. Speeding: This is frequently a leading cause of accidents. High speeds reduce the driver’s ability to stop promptly when faced with unexpected road situations.
  2. Distractions: Rideshare drivers need to manage their app while driving. Despite the use of voice-recognition software, it’s easy to become distracted from the ongoing traffic.
  3. Weather Conditions: Even in places with moderate weather like Salt Lake City, not all drivers are skilled in handling their vehicle when roads become slick or challenging due to weather conditions.
  4. Substance Use: Consumption of substances like alcohol, prescription opioids, and illegal drugs can impede a driver’s reaction time, posing a risk to their passengers.
  5. Inappropriate Behavior: Although less common, instances of violence or harassment between passengers and drivers have been reported, leading to unsafe driving conditions.

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Common injuries in ridesharing accident:

Rideshare accidents have become increasingly common in urban areas like Salt Lake City due to the growing popularity of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. When you’re involved in a rideshare accident, the injuries sustained can be severe and life-altering. Some of the most common injuries include:

  1. Traumatic Brain Injuries: These can occur from the forceful impact during a car crash. Symptoms can range from mild concussions to more severe conditions that may cause memory loss, cognitive impairment, or long-term disability.
  2. Spinal Cord Injuries: A sudden jolt from a car accident can cause damage to the spinal cord, leading to temporary or permanent paralysis.
  3. Bodily Injury: This can include fractures, burns, cuts, and bruises. In some severe cases, victims might require surgery or long-term medical care.

Questions to ask a Personal Injury Lawyer in Utah

What You Need To Know About Rideshare Accident Claims

Immediately after an accident, your first priority should be seeking medical attention. Even if you feel fine, some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, might not manifest symptoms immediately. Prompt medical treatment is not only crucial for your health but also establishes a record of your injuries, which could be vital evidence in your claim.

Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, you might feel inclined to contact your insurance company. However, rideshare accidents often involve multiple parties and insurance companies, making the claim process more complex than typical auto accidents.

Rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, and while they may have personal auto insurance, it may not cover incidents that occur while they’re working. Instead, the rideshare company’s insurance often comes into play.

Uber and Lyft, for instance, provide third-party liability coverage for their drivers, which applies when the driver is logged into the app and has accepted a ride request. This coverage can pay for bodily injury and property damage sustained by anyone in the accident who wasn’t at fault.

However, the specifics can vary based on the circumstances surrounding the accident, and dealing with the insurance adjusters from these companies can be challenging.

Given these complexities, consulting with a Utah rideshare accident attorney can be invaluable. These professionals specialize in such cases and can guide you through the claim process. They can help with gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance providers, and advocating for fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Remember, an insurance company might want to expedite your case, considering only the most apparent facts and costs. In contrast, a rideshare accident attorney will take the time to understand how the accident has affected your daily life, beyond just your physical injuries.

Success rate of Personal Injury Lawyers in Utah

Reasons People File Rideshare Accident Claims

A rideshare injury claim is meant to right the wrongs you have experienced due to the accident. This may come in the form of a financial settlement, or it may look like a policy change for major rideshare companies. This is why it is so important to know you have legal options.

Telling your story can be the catalyst for real and lasting changes. Uber may choose to screen applicants better or otherwise take more responsibility for a situation they had a hand in. You can also help by getting a dangerous or reckless driver off the road.

Types Of Damages Awarded For Rideshare Accident Claims by the Insurance Company

When accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers occur victims may face a wide range of damages. These can include medical expenses for treatments or surgeries for traumatic brain injuries.

Resulting injuries may also require other medical treatment, physical therapy sessions and chiropractic care. Even in the worst cases when the victim requires full-time at-home medical care, the legal representation of Acadia will work to recover compensation for these claims.

A victim in a personal injury case may need to seek compensation for long-term care, which covers services necessary during recovery. This could include assistance with tasks like cooking, cleaning, running errands, or managing medications.

If the accident results in an inability to work, either temporarily or permanently, the victim may claim lost wages. This accounts for any income lost during the recovery period.

Emotional distress, often categorized as pain and suffering, is another common form of damages. This refers to any mental anguish or emotional distress caused by the accident and its effects on the victim’s life.

Property damage compensation can be sought if personal belongings were damaged or lost in the accident. This can include the cost to repair or replace the items.

Lastly, loss of consortium claims can be filed by a spouse or partner. These damages account for the emotional and financial impact experienced due to changes in the relationship after the accident.

Emotional distress claims in Utah

Knowing What Your Claim Is Worth

The financial settlement of a claim can be difficult to predict, even for an experienced attorney who deals with rideshare cases on a daily basis.

But what you should know is that a claim should compare your life now to your life before. If you can no longer perform your job due to your injuries, your settlement needs to take into account what you would have earned had the accident never happened.

The worth of your claim is dependent on how that claim is presented in court. As mentioned, an insurance company is likely to downplay your injuries because it will make the claim faster and easier to close. An professional will emphasize the lasting changes that you’ve endured.

This could be anything from lost time with your children to a fear of ever getting on the road again. Your professional will also explore the full extent of damages you can file for. For example, loss of consortium can include the costs of childcare if your partner was forced to find last-minute services due to your accident.

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Insurance coverage during rideshare accidents

If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, your personal auto insurance may not cover the cost of damages and injuries that occurred.

Typically your personal auto insurance will only provide coverage if you are in a collision with another vehicle and the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault. However, if you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft car and it was involved in an accident, most insurers will not cover any related expenses.

It is important to check with your insurance provider to determine what type of coverage they offer for accidents involving rideshare services.

Additionally, both Uber and Lyft have their own liability insurance policies that can help pay for medical bills, property damage, and even lost wages from missed time at work – but there are specific limits depending on the state laws.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft, consider speaking to a qualified personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable about these types of cases.

An experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for any physical or emotional trauma resulting from the crash.

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Do You Need To Hire A Rideshare Accident Professional?

No. The Utah courts will accept claims filed without the help of an accident attorney. However, we don’t recommend this for those who have little to no experience with personal injury law.

After an accident has occurred, it’s unlikely the injured party will have the time or energy to take on a complicated court system. It can even make injuries worse, especially if you’ve experienced emotional trauma after the accident.

Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City

Acadia Law Group Best rideshare accident lawyer

Whether you choose to file a rideshare accident claim or want to wait, a consultation is a great way to take action for yourself. When you call Acadia Law  personal injury attorneys located in Salt Lake City, we can explain how the Utah courts are likely to see your claim.

To learn more about rideshare accident claims, or to have a knowledgeable attorney review the details and get you fair compensation for your uber lyft rideshare accident case. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation!

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Utah Rideshare accident FAQs

Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, can be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers under certain circumstances. However, these companies often try to avoid responsibility by claiming that their drivers are independent contractors, not employees.

There are also exceptions where you might be able to sue a rideshare company for an accident caused by one of their drivers. But determining liability in a rideshare accident typically involves proving who the at-fault party is.

In rideshare accident cases, various forms of evidence are necessary to build a compelling case. Here are the main types of evidence that can strengthen your claim:

  1. Photographs: These are critical as they provide a visual record of the accident scene, damage to vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you may have sustained. They can also capture details such as weather conditions, traffic signs, and skid marks on the road, which could be relevant to establishing fault or negligence.
  2. Eyewitness Statements: If there were other passengers in the rideshare vehicle or bystanders who witnessed the accident, their accounts can be valuable in supporting your case. They can corroborate details of the accident and provide additional perspectives.
  3. Accident Reconstruction Expert: In some complex cases, an accident reconstruction expert might be needed. They can analyze the crash scene, review photographs, look at vehicle damages, and use scientific principles to determine how the accident occurred.
  4. Pay Stubs and Other Financial Documents: If you’re claiming lost wages due to the accident, you’ll need to provide documentation of your regular income. This could include pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer.
  5. Medical Records: These are crucial to prove the extent and nature of your injuries, as well as the treatment you’ve received. They can also help establish a link between the accident and your injuries.
  6. Police Report: A police report often includes important information like the date, time, and location of the accident, a description of the incident, and any citations issued. It may also indicate the officer’s opinion about who was at fault.
  7. Lyft, Uber App Data: Information from the rideshare app can confirm that a ride was in progress at the time of the accident and provide details about the route and timing.

If you’re involved in an accident where the at-fault driver does not have adequate insurance coverage, there are several steps you can take:

  1. Contact Your Insurance Company: Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you might be covered for damages caused by a driver who is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance.
  2. File a Police Report: Always file a police report for documentation purposes. This can serve as crucial evidence if you decide to take legal action.
  3. Document Everything: Keep track of all medical expenses, repair costs, and any other damages. This will be important when filing claims or pursuing a lawsuit.
  4. Consult with a Lawyer: If the damages are significant, it may be worth consulting with a personal injury attorney. They can provide advice on your best course of action, which might include suing the at-fault driver.
  5. Consider Med Pay/Personal Injury Protection (PIP): These types of coverage are designed to pay for your medical bills regardless of who is at fault. If you have this coverage, use it to help offset your medical costs.
  6. Check State Victim’s Compensation Fund: Some states have funds to compensate victims who have been hit by uninsured or underinsured drivers. It’s worth checking to see if such a program exists in your area.

Yes, rideshare drivers are covered by insurance, but the coverage details can vary based on the specific circumstances and the company’s policy.

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft do provide insurance coverage for their drivers. However, this coverage usually depends on what the driver is doing at the time of an incident.

Here’s how it typically works:

  • Offline or App Off: When a driver isn’t logged into the rideshare app, their personal car insurance is the primary coverage.
  • App On, No Passenger: If the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride request, the rideshare company provides liability coverage for any accident that is the driver’s fault. This typically includes bodily injury up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 total per accident, and property damage up to $25,000 per accident.
  • During a Ride: Once a ride request is accepted, the coverage increases and remains in effect until the passenger exits the vehicle. The rideshare company’s insurance includes $1 million in third-party liability and often includes collision and comprehensive coverage, provided the driver also has these coverages on their personal policy.

However, there can be gaps in this coverage. Most personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage when you’re driving for hire. This is often referred to as the “rideshare gap.” Some insurance companies offer rideshare insurance policies that cover this gap.

In Utah, Uber maintains insurance for ridesharing, including insurance that covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and others.

Remember, it’s always important to check with your personal auto insurer and your rideshare company to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Please note that this information is general in nature and the specifics can vary based on individual circumstances and local laws.

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