Dedicated Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys in St. George, Utah

Kevin SwensonAt 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.

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?

Uber & Lyft Accident Law in St. George

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.

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Contact Our St. George Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys Today

Call our St. George Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Swenson & Shelley Law today at (435)-228-7647 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Our St. George Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys

What should I do immediately after being injured in a rideshare accident in St. George?

Your first priority is getting medical attention, even if you think you’re okay. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and some symptoms don’t show up right away. If you’re able, take photos of the scene, get the driver’s information and their rideshare status, and collect contact information from witnesses. Don’t agree to any recorded statements or sign anything from an insurance company before talking to an attorney. Our St. George Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can guide you through what comes next and protect your rights from day one.

What if the Uber or Lyft driver doesn't have proper insurance or is underinsured?

This happens more often than you’d think, and it can be a nightmare if you’re not prepared. Utah law requires drivers to carry certain minimum insurance, but those amounts often don’t come close to covering serious injuries. If the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough, you may be able to tap into your own underinsured motorist coverage or pursue the rideshare company’s policies depending on the driver’s status at the time. We make sure every possible source of compensation is identified and pursued so you’re not left paying for someone else’s negligence out of your own pocket.

How long do I have to file a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident in Utah?

Utah’s statute of limitations generally gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you don’t want to wait that long to take action. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies start building their defense immediately. The sooner you contact our St. George car accident attorneys, the sooner we can preserve evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.

What if the rideshare driver claims I was partially at fault for the accident?

Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible, as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. Your compensation would just be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce what they have to pay out. We’ve seen them try to claim a passenger distracted the driver or that another motorist contributed to the crash. Our attorneys know how to challenge these tactics and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Will Uber or Lyft's insurance company offer me a fair settlement without an attorney?

Insurance companies are in the business of paying as little as possible, and rideshare claims add extra layers of complexity they use to their advantage. They might offer you a quick settlement that sounds good but doesn’t cover your future medical needs, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Once you accept and sign, you can’t go back for more money if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought. Having an attorney levels the playing field and ensures you’re not leaving money on the table that you’re legally entitled to.

How do I prove the rideshare driver was negligent in my St. George accident case?

Proving negligence means showing the driver had a duty to drive safely, they breached that duty, and their breach directly caused your injuries. We gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, phone records showing distracted driving, maintenance records, and sometimes even footage from dashcams or nearby security cameras. The rideshare app data can also be crucial in showing what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Our St. George truck accident attorneys use similar investigation techniques to build strong cases that hold negligent drivers accountable.

How much is my Uber or Lyft accident case worth in St. George?

Every case is different because every injury and impact is different. Your compensation depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, your medical bills, lost income, how long recovery takes, and how the accident affects your daily life. We’ve seen rideshare accident settlements range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. What we can tell you is that cases handled by attorneys typically result in significantly higher compensation than people get on their own. During a free consultation, we can review your specific situation and give you a better idea of what your case might be worth.

What damages can I recover in a rideshare accident claim in Utah?

Utah law allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future medical care if you need ongoing treatment. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. In cases involving alcohol, drugs, or particularly reckless behavior by the driver, punitive damages might also be available. Our attorneys make sure every aspect of how this accident has affected your life is accounted for in your claim.

Can I still file a claim if the rideshare driver left the scene of the accident?

Yes, you can still pursue compensation even if the driver fled the scene, though it does make things more complicated. Utah law requires drivers to stop after an accident, and leaving the scene is a serious offense. If you can identify the driver through the rideshare app, witness statements, or other evidence, you can still hold them accountable. In hit-and-run situations, your own uninsured motorist coverage may also come into play. The key is acting quickly to preserve evidence and identify the responsible party before the trail goes cold.

Can I file a claim against both the rideshare driver and another driver who caused the accident?

Absolutely, and in many cases you should pursue all responsible parties to maximize your recovery. If another driver ran a red light and caused the rideshare vehicle to crash into you, both drivers may share liability. You might have claims against the other driver’s insurance, the rideshare driver’s coverage, and potentially Uber or Lyft’s policy depending on the circumstances. These multi-party accidents get complicated quickly because each insurance company will try to shift blame to the other parties. If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident in St. George, contact us today so we can identify everyone who should be held accountable.