Utah Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Reviewed by Kara H. North, Managing Attorney at Moxie Law Group. Reviewed December 19, 2023.

Most personal injury lawyers handle a variety of personal injury cases. Both car accident attorneys and rideshare accident attorneys are types of personal injury lawyers. Whether you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident or a typical car accident, a personal injury attorney can handle your personal injury claim. When you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, the important thing is that you contact a rideshare accident attorney as soon as you possibly can. Lyft accident lawyers, in particular, have experience navigating the unique insurance policies and legal challenges associated with Lyft accidents. When it comes to car accidents, insurance companies are already looking for ways to deny coverage. Rideshare companies often have special insurance with unique terms and conditions. Depending on your circumstances, the rideshare company could have some liability for your injuries. Here’s the thing: the insurance company of the rideshare company knows that the average person doesn’t have extensive knowledge of personal injury law. Insurance companies attempt to use this to their advantage, and they’ll look for any reason to deny insurance coverage. For this reason, it may be a good idea to talk to a rideshare accident attorney before speaking to an insurance company.

Lyft Accident Claims in Utah

Everything on this page applies to Lyft crashes too. Lyft carries the same tiered insurance structure as Uber: which policy pays depends on whether the driver was waiting for a request, on the way to a pickup, or carrying a passenger. A Utah Lyft accident lawyer pins down the driver’s app status first, because that single fact decides which insurer owes you compensation.

Liability for rideshare accidents can be a tricky thing. Depending on the circumstances both the rideshare driver and the rideshare company could have liability. Rideshare companies and drivers also have a responsibility to ensure passenger safety and comply with insurance requirements, making them legally accountable for damages or injuries resulting from their actions. Rideshare companies typically have extensive insurance coverage to protect them from liability. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to get companies like Uber and Lyft to pay up when customers are injured in a rideshare accident. Not only can a rideshare accident attorney help you determine how much liability the rideshare driver has, rideshare accident attorneys can also improve your chances of getting compensation through the rideshare company’s insurance policy. When you have a rideshare accident case, a personal injury attorney can help you improve your chances of getting maximum compensation.

For the most part, employers are liable for what their employees do. So ridesharing companies would be liable for any accident involving an at-fault rideshare driver, right? Well, not so fast. Companies like Uber and Lyft don’t necessarily have employees driving for them. In many companies, rideshare drivers are not employees, but they’re independent contractors. By using independent contractors, ridesharing companies assume less liability for any injuries their rideshare drivers cause. In many rideshare accident cases where the rideshare driver caused the accident, it’s the driver’s own insurance, typically the insurance on the driver’s personal vehicle. That pays for the injuries and property damage. If you’re in a no-fault state, the rideshare driver’s insurance will cover the cost of your injuries after your personal injury protection has run out.

For the most part, companies like Uber and Lyft are never liable for injuries their contractors cause while driving. But just because the rideshare drivers are usually liable for the injuries they cause doesn’t mean that Uber and Lyft can never ever be held liable for a ridesharing accident. When it comes to an Uber or Lyft accident, or any other accident involving a rideshare vehicle, the company providing rideshare services can be liable under extreme circumstances.

Companies providing rideshare services can have some liability when they knew or reasonably should have known that one of their drivers posed a danger to passengers, yet fail to act. Ridesharing services and apps should have safeguards in place to protect users from chronically negligent drivers. It is crucial for companies to thoroughly investigate drivers’ backgrounds and any accidents involving their drivers to identify potential risks and prevent future incidents. Here’s a good example: let’s say a company like Uber or Lyft has a driver who has caused a ridesharing accident while driving under the influence. Companies like Uber and Lyft should have the ability to “deactivate” drivers’ accounts if there’s evidence that the driver has acted negligently in the past. So if companies like Uber and Lyft want to avoid taking on additional liability, they’ll deactivate the accounts of Uber and Lyft drivers that have a history of causing motor vehicle accidents due to negligence, such as driving while under the influence. If a company knew, or reasonably should have known that the driver posed a danger to users, the company may decide to deactivate the contractor’s account to prevent users from becoming injured.

Believe it or not, a rideshare car accident isn’t much different from standard car accident cases–assuming the rideshare company didn’t have any liability. In a regular car accident, the at-fault driver’s own insurance policy covers the cost of the medical bills after they exceed the limits of the personal injury protection (or PIP) coverage. Many drivers use their personal vehicles for rideshare purposes. If you’re using your vehicle for rideshare purposes, you’ll want to make sure your insurance policy include provisions for accidents relating to rideshare activities. Insurance coverage for rideshare accidents may depend on whether the rideshare app has been started and the trip is active, as coverage often begins when the app is started and the ride is in progress. It’s not uncommon for a driver’s personal insurance to deny coverage if they weren’t aware that the at-fault driver was using their vehicle for rideshare activities.

If you were injured in an accident, and you needed medical treatment, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It is also crucial to gather information at the accident scene, such as contact details and witness statements, as this information can be vital for your legal claim. Meeting with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for injury related expenses, such as lost wages. After an auto accident, there’s two things you shouldn’t wait to do: don’t wait to seek medical treatment, and don’t wait to ask a professional about starting a personal injury case. At Moxie Law Group, our ridesharing accident lawyers go above and beyond when fighting for our clients. Not only can we help you get compensation for lost wages, we can also help you recover damages for property damage. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, don’t wait. Speak with one of our rideshare accident lawyers today.

If you’ve got a rideshare accident claim, you don’t want just anyone handling your case, especially if it turns into a personal injury lawsuit. At Moxie Law Group, our rideshare accident lawyers have the determination, character, and skill to fight for the rights of those who have been injured by negligent Uber or Lyft drivers. Most rideshare accident claims are resolved through a settlement, and an experienced attorney can help you settle your case for fair compensation. Our Lyft rideshare accident lawyers make filing a claim easy. If you’ve been injured, you need an attorney with Moxie.

The idea of hiring an attorney may be stressful, and overwhelming–not to mention, expensive. But Moxie Law Group makes filing a personal injury claim a breeze. The best part of all is that our clients don’t even have to pay out of pocket. We start with a free consultation, a free case consultation to review your Uber or Lyft accident claim. During the free consultation, we’ll review the incident, medical records, and the police report. If we decide we can help you get the compensation you deserve, we’ll begin working on contingency. This means that you don’t have to pay us anything until we get you the compensation you deserve. If you don’t get a settlement or a judgment in your favor, you don’t have to pay us anything. Working on contingency means that you don’t have to pay us anything out of pocket. Instead, a portion of your settlement or judgment will cover any legal fees you accrue. This also helps cover the costs associated with your accident, such as medical bills, property damage, and other related expenses. This means that you don’t have to pay anything upfront.

Maybe, maybe not. Not everyone needs an injury attorney, and sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether or not you’ve got a good claim. If you’ve been in an accident, but you’re struggling to determine whether or not an injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve, we’ve listed three big signs that you will benefit from speaking with an injury attorney. An attorney can help you pursue the money you need to cover your injuries, damages, and related expenses. If you still aren’t sure whether or not filing a claim would be in your best interest, you can always contact Moxie Law Group for a free consultation to help you determine what your options are.

Even if the insurance company is offering you enough to pay for all your damages, an injury attorney can almost definitely help you get an even better settlement. An attorney can help you determine the full value of your claim, including all damages and future needs, so you don’t leave money on the table. They will also work to ensure you receive compensation that reflects the true worth of your injuries and losses. Furthermore, most people aren’t aware of all the damages they can claim. This means that many people accept the insurance company’s initial offer without realizing that they’re entitled to much more compensation. For example, if you miss a week of work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation based on your loss of income. Maybe the insurance company offered you enough for your medical bills, but they didn’t offer you anything for lost wages, pain and suffering, or punitive damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies rarely offer enough for the medical bills alone, and they almost never offer compensation for other items such as non-economic damages.

Insurance companies don’t necessarily want to pay you a fair settlement. In fact, they’re often trying to pay the minimum amount possible. Insurance adjusters are frequently more concerned with protecting the company’s bottom line than with your individual recovery. This means insurance companies rarely offer enough to cover major injury-related expenses and almost never offer clients everything they’re entitled to. Since insurance companies know the law, they’re willing to use that knowledge against people who don’t know all the nuances of personal injury. When you hire an injury attorney, you’re hiring someone with professional knowledge to advocate for your rights and your best interests.

What should I do after a rideshare accident in Utah?

After a rideshare accident in Utah, first check for injuries and call 911 if necessary. Get medical care right away, even for injuries that may seem minor. Exchange contact and insurance information with all drivers and rideshare passengers, take photos of the scene if possible, and contact a rideshare accident lawyer before discussing the accident with insurance companies.

Can I file a claim if an Uber or Lyft driver caused my accident?

Yes. If an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare driver’s negligence led to your accident, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. A lawyer can help identify which insurance policies apply, whether personal, rideshare company coverage, or commercial policies, and pursue compensation for your losses.

How can a rideshare accident lawyer help my case in Utah?

A rideshare accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, handle communications with insurance companies, and protect your legal rights. They can also help calculate your total losses, including medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and work to secure fair compensation while you focus on healing.