Lyft Accident Attorney in Utah
Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber have become commonplace in cities large and small throughout the United States. Salt Lake City and other areas in Utah are no exception.
The proliferation of Lyft/Uber vehicles on our roads leads many to wonder if these services are safe and what happens in the event of an accident with a Lyft or Uber driver.
We will dive into the details of how these rideshare companies work and what to do in the event of a car accident involving a Lyft or Uber car.
How to Handle a Rideshare Accident
Any motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic and stressful experience. If you find yourself involved in a car accident in any capacity, be sure to take the following steps to protect yourself and your right to a personal injury claim.
As a driver
Whether you are a rideshare driver or the driver of another motor vehicle, you should take the following steps to protect yourself in the aftermath of an accident.
Check for injuries
Immediately after the accident, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone has suffered serious injuries (anything beyond minor scrapes or bruises), call 911 for medical attention.
Move out of traffic
If possible, move your car to a safe area out of traffic, such as the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot. If you cannot move your car but you are physically unharmed, get out of the car and off of the roadway. Do not leave the accident scene, however, as this could constitute a hit-and-run.
File a police report
Even if there were no serious injuries, call the police and ask for an officer to be dispatched to the scene. Most auto insurance providers will require a police report before they will approve any claims.
When speaking to the officer, do not admit fault or speculate on the cause of the accident. Simply give them the timeline of events. An investigation may be conducted to determine who was at fault for the accident, but if you accept blame right away, the investigation may never happen.
Exchange information with the other driver
Calmly exchange the following information with the driver of the other vehicle:
- Name
- Phone number
- Address
- License plate number
- Make and model of the cars
- Insurance information
- Name of the relevant rideshare company
Be sure to also get contact information from any witnesses at the scene. They may be able to provide helpful insights as your build your Lyft/Uber accident claim later on.
Notify Uber/Lyft
Whether you are the rideshare driver or another motorist, let the rideshare company know about the accident. Do not automatically assume that the Lyft driver will report the accident.
Seek medical treatment
Even if you do not believe you are injured, see a medical professional as soon as you can after the accident. Sometimes, auto accident victims have hidden injuries that do not manifest themselves immediately, but can cause serious harm later down the road.
Tell your doctor that you were involved in a car accident so they know what to check for. Keep track of all treatment received.
Notify your own insurance company
Even if you are not the at-fault driver, let your personal auto insurance company know about the accident. You can utilize your no-fault coverage (PIP) to cover some of your medical expenses up front.
Consider contacting a Lyft/Uber accident lawyer
If you have suffered car accident injuries due to the negligence of another driver, it may be a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney can offer you a free consultation to determine whether you have a case. They can then build your accident claim and negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to help you obtain maximum compensation.
As a rideshare passenger
If you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, take the following actions:
- Check for injuries and call 911 if necessary
- Get both drivers’ contact and insurance information
- Make sure a police report is filed
- Notify your own insurance company
- Notify Lyft or Uber
- Seek medical care
- Consider contacting a Lyft car accident attorney
Do Utah Rideshare Drivers Have Insurance Coverage?
All insured drivers in Utah have access to no-fault Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) insurance. PIP covers up to $3,000 of medical bills, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
Liability coverage is required for all drivers in Utah, whether they are driving for personal or professional reasons. Both Uber and Lyft also require their independent contractors to have auto insurance in order to drive for them.
Uber and Lyft also carry insurance policies that can help cover bodily injury, property damage, and, in some cases, first-party damages.
Which insurance company covers your damages will depend on who was liable for the accident and whether the Uber or Lyft driver was working at the time of the crash.
Liability in Lyft/Uber Accident Cases
Lyft and Uber both carry auto insurance policies that may protect drivers and passengers in the event of an accident, but they only provide coverage in certain instances.
Rideshare app was off
If the car accident happened when the rideshare driver was not working, the driver’s personal insurance policy is responsible for damages.
Rideshare app was on and driver was available for ride requests
If the rideshare driver had not accepted a ride request, but was available to do so, Lyft and Uber both carry the following amounts of insurance coverage:
- $50,000/person in bodily injury
- $100,000/accident in bodily injury
- $25,000 in property damage
This policy goes into effect when the at-fault driver’s personal insurance policy does not apply.
Driver had accepted a request and was en route to fulfill it
If the driver was in the act of picking up or transporting passengers at the time of the accident, Lyft and Uber both maintain the following coverage:
- $1,000,000 in third-party auto liability
- $1,000,000 Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Requirements for Becoming a Lyft Driver in Utah
In order to become a driver for Lyft in the state of Utah, one must meet the following requirements:
- At least 25 years old
- Possess a valid Utah driver’s license
- Able to pass a driver screening, which includes driving history and criminal background check
- Possess a smart phone that can run the Lyft app
- Able to provide proof of valid auto insurance and vehicle registration
Additionally, the potential driver must have a vehicle that meets the following requirements:
- 2008 or newer
- Four-door car with five to eight seats, including the driver’s
- Not a taxi, limo, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
- Clean title (not classed as salvaged, non-repairable, rebuilt, or any equivalent classification)
How Can a Utah Lyft/Uber Accident Attorney Help Me?
Regardless of who is liable in your car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is not likely to make it easy for your to obtain fair compensation for your damages. They may try to claim your injuries are less severe than they are, or try to deny liability altogether. When you’re already dealing with physical pain and emotional trauma, a personal injury case can feel like too much to handle on your own.
The rideshare accident attorneys at The Advocates personal injury law firm are here to help. We will take on the stressful parts of the claims process for you—things like negotiating with insurance adjusters and keeping track of evidence—so that you can focus on feeling better.
With an Advocate on your side, you can rest easy. We will be there to answer your questions, explain the claims process, and help you access the resources you need, all while providing experienced legal representation.
Contact The Advocates today for a free case evaluation. After a Lyft or Uber accident, you deserve peace of mind. You deserve an Advocate.