Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Salt Lake City, UT
Rideshare services are a useful convenience of modern life, allowing people to cut down on gas bills, save time, and travel in a more environmentally friendly way. Unfortunately, vehicles involved in rideshare transactions are not immune to accidents, and such accidents can be a little complicated in terms of insurance and liability. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you should contact an experienced Salt Lake City rideshare accident lawyer for help.
Garner Law Firm – Your Premier Personal Injury Attorneys
When you have been injured in an accident, you need an attorney with the knowledge and experience it takes to successfully represent you. At Garner Law Firm, we have two decades of experience advocating for personal injury clients. We are conveniently located at 406 South Jordan Parkway West in South Jordan, making us an easy trip away for our Salt Lake City clients.
no risk to you,
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Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare services can be very convenient, but they do come with some unique risks. Drivers for rideshare services often drive many hours at a time, and they are motivated to continue driving past the point of fatigue in order to make more money. They also make more money if they complete trips faster, so some of them may be motivated to exceed speed limits, as well.
Rideshare apps also lend themselves to distracted driving. Drivers may receive messages or new assignments while their vehicles are moving, leading to distractions and unsafe driving, potentially with passengers in the car.
Statistically speaking, people who drive for rideshare companies are 73% more likely to get into an accident than people who do not.
Who Pays for Damages in Rideshare Accidents?
There are more than 2 million rideshare drivers in the United States, and all of them should carry their own car insurance. When a driver is in an accident while driving for a rideshare company, it is important that they understand how insurance coverage works in these situations. Rideshare companies carry their own insurance that covers drivers at certain times, but this coverage does not apply unless certain conditions are met.
If you are injured while in a rideshare car, or if you are injured in an accident involving a rideshare car, the first line of financial compensation for you is likely to be your own personal injury protection coverage. This coverage is a Utah requirement and helps cover medical bills and lost wages, no matter who is at fault in an accident.
After you have exhausted personal injury protection coverage limits, you can file a claim with the rideshare company’s insurance or with the insurance company of the at-fault driver, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
It often happens that insurance settlements do not actually cover the losses suffered by personal injury victims. In these cases, the next practical step is to file a personal injury claim against any liable parties.
Compensation for Rideshare Accident Injuries
Injured individuals can seek compensation for their monetary and nonmonetary losses resulting from a rideshare accident. Generally, compensation can fall into the following categories:
- Medical expenses. Financial losses from medical expenses after an accident can be astronomical. Medical care is expensive, with the potential to set families back for years to come. A fair settlement should cover every medical bill, from emergency room treatment to physical therapy.
- Lost wages. Serious injuries often result in significant lost wages from the inability to work. A settlement should help you recover those losses. If your injury results in a long-term or permanent disability that prevents you from working, the lost wages portion of your settlement may calculate future losses, as well.
- Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering compensation includes both physical pain and psychological pain and trauma associated with your injuries and the accident.
Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Questions surrounding liability in rideshare accidents can be complicated, so it is important to hire a rideshare accident lawyer who is familiar with the nuances of these cases. Your lawyer can review the details of the accident and help you determine who should be responsible for your injuries, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and file a personal injury claim for you if necessary.
FAQs
What Will It Cost to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City?
The cost to hire a rideshare accident lawyer in Salt Lake City can vary widely depending on your prospective attorney’s individual hourly rates and fee structure. At Garner Law Firm, we take rideshare accident cases on a contingency basis. We do not ask for an up-front retainer fee. Instead, we receive a percentage of whatever compensation we secure for our clients.
What Is Personal Injury Protection Coverage?
Utah uses a no-fault system for car accidents in terms of insurance coverage. Utah car insurance policies are required to include personal injury protection coverage for each driver. This coverage is an addition to car insurance policies that covers a driver’s injuries, property damage, and lost wages, among some other damages, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Like other parts of insurance policies, personal injury protection coverage has individually set limits.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Injuries in Utah?
In Utah, the statute of limitations for rideshare accident injuries is four years. After four years have passed from the date of a rideshare accident, an injured person can no longer file a personal injury claim to recover damages. Given this statute of limitations, it is very important to contact an attorney and make a plan for pursuing compensation as soon as you are able.
How Do Attorneys Calculate Pain and Suffering Compensation?
Attorneys usually calculate pain and suffering compensation using the per diem method, in which the calculation is based on the injured person’s daily earnings, or the multiplier method, in which the total financial losses are multiplied by a number chosen based on the overall severity and impact of the injury. Your attorney can advise you on the right approach in your situation.
Need an Attorney? Contact Garner Law Firm
If you need representation to pursue compensation for a rideshare accident injury, the experienced attorneys at Garner Law Firm are ready to listen, understand, and help you. Contact us today to find out how you can begin moving forward.
