(435) 767-7777
(435) 767-7777Orem Car Accident Lawyer
At Swenson & Shelley Law, our St. George Uber and Lyft accident lawyers know that Utah residents of all ages take advantage of rideshare services for multiple reasons.
Rideshare services offer on-demand transportation that can be easily requested via a smartphone app for trips to and from the airport, a night on the town, or to an event where parking may be scarce. Whatever the reason, all riders have one thing in common: They expect to get where they’re going safely.
Unfortunately, our Washington County Uber and Lyft accident attorneys also know rideshare drivers are just as likely to be involved in a traffic collision as any other driver — especially when negligence is a factor.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver or as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, we can help you understand your legal rights and options to hold the driver and potentially the rideshare company liable for your damages. Contact us today to learn more.
When car accidents happen, the consequences too often go beyond mere property damage. Severe injuries, expensive bills, and emotional trauma can all rob someone of their quality of life. These losses can seem even worse when the crash is someone else’s fault.
It’s difficult and stressful to handle the legal complexities of a car wreck on your own. With an Orem auto accident lawyer on your side, you’ll have an experienced and skilled partner to guide you through the legal process and tirelessly fight for the compensation you need.
Swenson & Shelley Law has represented countless clients throughout the Beehive State. We work entirely on your behalf, using our resources and expansive knowledge to investigate what happened, deal with insurers, and defend your rights at each step. Our initial case reviews are free, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Contact a car crash attorney in Orem at our office today.
What are the Most Common Causes of Uber & Lyft Accident in Utah?
The most common causes of Utah rideshare accidents are similar to those of other motor vehicle accidents, but some factors are unique to rideshare services.
They include:
- Distracted Driving
Uber and Lyft drivers count on their cellphones or other electronic devices to make a living. This means they reach for their devices while behind the wheel, accept rides, manipulate navigation systems, and communicate with riders through the messaging feature. This definition of distracted driving can increase the risk of an accident.
- Driver Fatigue
With very little oversight from Uber or Lyft, rideshare drivers often work long hours — some late into the early mornings — and may experience fatigue, impairing their ability to drive safely.
- Driving Under the Influence
While riders expect their Uber or Lyft driver to be sober behind the wheel, that is not always the case. Because of the lack of oversight, rideshare drivers may consume alcohol and drugs and get behind the wheel without anyone knowing until it is too late.
- Speeding & Reckless Driving
Drivers may exceed the speed limit to reach their destination more quickly or engage in aggressive driving, like tailgating and failure to yield, to accept more riders in a shorter timeframe, which can all lead to accidents.
- Passenger Distractions
Uber and Lyft encourage riders to rate their drivers. This rating system leads some rideshare drivers to accommodate all types of requests from riders, including music preferences, engaging in conversations, or allowing rowdy riders to behave erratically – all of which can lead to taking the driver’s attention away from driving.
- Other Drivers
Accidents involving rideshare vehicles can also be caused by the actions of other drivers on the road, including running red lights, making illegal turns, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Utah, contact our experienced St. George rideshare accident attorneys today to discuss your claim during a free consultation. We can help you understand who is liable for your damages and help you pursue the proper insurance coverage to achieve the best outcome for your claim.
Who is Liable for the Damages that Result from an Uber or Lyft Accident in Utah?
When rideshare drivers are involved in an accident, the circumstances of the crash and the injured parties may allow the liability to shift from one insurance company to another.
When the rideshare driver uses a personal vehicle and has yet to activate the rideshare app, the driver’s insurance coverage can be pursued for the damages when they are proven liable for the crash.
In Utah, the required liability coverage must include:
- $25,000 Per Person for Bodily Injury.
- $65,000 Per Accident for Bodily Injury.
- $15,000 Per Accident for Property.
- At least $3,000 in Personal Injury Protection for Medical Expenses.
Where the driver has enabled the app but has not yet accepted a ride request, the rideshare company has limited liability insurance up to $100,000 per crash.
If the rideshare driver has accepted a ride request but has yet to pick up the passenger or has a passenger on board, Uber and Lyft carry insurance coverage up to $1 million, which will apply to the crash because the driver was actively employed when the collision occurred.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a rideshare accident in Utah, whether they were the driver, a passenger, or another third party, you do not have to interpret the complexity of which insurance coverage to pursue for your damages. We can help.
What to Do After a Car Accident
You can strengthen your case and protect your legal interests by following these critical steps after a car accident:
- Get medical help as soon as possible – Even if your injuries seem minor on the outside, it’s still crucial to be examined by a healthcare professional as quickly as possible. This step is proactive for your long-term health. It will also begin building medical records that your lawyer can use later.
- Exchange information – If you’re physically able, Utah law requires you to obtain insurance and contact information for everyone involved in the accident. If you’re not physically able to do this, you can have someone do it on your behalf.
- Watch what you say – Insurers can use anything you say to harm your case. Don’t discuss the accident with anyone except your Orem car accident attorney and the local police. If the insurance company wants a recorded statement from you, talk to your lawyer first. If you agree to give the statement, have your lawyer present, and don’t admit fault.
- Watch what you post – Just as you should watch what you say in person, you should also watch what you post online. Don’t share information about the accident on social media while your case is pending.
- Keep careful records – Obtain physical copies of your medical bills, doctors’ notes, and repair receipts.
Types of Damages Available in Car Accident Claims
In a car accident lawsuit, you’re pursuing two types of damages or compensation. The first type, “economic damages,” encompasses financial costs like:
- Medical expenses – Economic damages can include the cost of outpatient care, hospital stays, home care, surgeries, drugs, and medical devices.
- Lost wages – Your Orem car accident lawyer can use copies of your paystubs to determine how much compensation you are entitled to for your lost wages.
- Property repair and modifications – Your attorney can consider the costs of car repairs and accessibility modifications on your home if they’re required.
The second type, “non-economic damages,” covers intangible losses that don’t have a fixed monetary value. These include:
- Pain and suffering – This is money for your physical pain, emotional stress, and mental anguish after the accident.
- Loss of consortium – If your physical injuries hinder your ability to enjoy your spouse’s companionship, your lawyer can include this loss when calculating your potential compensation.
- Lost enjoyment of life – Your lawyer will consider how your injuries affect your enjoyment of your hobbies, pastimes, and routines. Your lawyer can assess the value of these losses and include them in your settlement demand.
The Importance of an Initial Consultation with an Orem Car Accident Attorney
Getting an initial consultation is the first step to building your case. During this session, a lawyer will:
- Introduce themselves and their firm
- Hear from you about the crash and your injuries
- Examine documents and evidence you’ve already collected
- Determine the likelihood that your claim will succeed and calculate how much it might be worth
- Discuss your legal rights and options
We recommend that the consultation happen as soon as possible. This is primarily because of Utah’s statute of limitations, which sets a four-year deadline from the accident date for you to file a lawsuit. Solid cases take time to prepare. Filing your lawsuit after the deadline expires means you’ll likely lose the right to seek compensation at trial.
An early consultation with a lawyer about your case is essential so that your lawyer can file insurance claims on your behalf, communicate with adjusters, write demand letters, and try to negotiate a settlement for you. An early start gives your lawyer more time to prepare a convincing case and increases the chances an insurer will offer you a fair settlement.
Starting early also means your lawyer will have more time to gather and preserve crucial evidence, including witness statements, photos, or video footage. While your lawyer builds your case, you can focus on your health and well-being.
Proactive Measures to Prevent Car Accidents and Injuries
While not every car accident is preventable, there are ways that drivers can protect others on the road and reduce the chance of an accident happening. They include:
- Staying within speed limits, obeying stoplights and stop signs, and paying attention to advisory signs
- Parking in a safe, legal place before you use your cell phone or eat in the car
- Keeping your vehicle well-maintained
- Adjusting your speed during snowy weather and using tire chains or studded tires in the wintertime
- Not using alcohol or drugs before you drive
Our Attorneys Also Focus on the Following Areas:
Choosing Swenson & Shelley as Your Personal Injury Lawyer in Orem
Swenson & Shelley Law is an award-winning personal injury firm serving clients in Orem and throughout the Wasatch Front. One of our co-founders is a former insurance defense attorney. We’re well-acquainted with the tactics these corporations use to protect liable parties.
Call our St. George Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Swenson & Shelley Law today at (385)-626-7197 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation where you can learn immediately whether your claim is eligible to move forward with legal action.
We do not charge any fees upfront for our services. Instead, you pay us only if we secure payment for you. That makes getting legal help accessible and allows you to focus on your recovery. Contact us now to learn more.
