Rideshare services like Uber have transformed transportation in Orem, Utah. However, accidents involving Uber vehicles can lead to complex legal situations.
If you are injured in an Uber accident, you may need a specialized Orem Uber accident lawyer to help you navigate insurance claims, determine liability, and secure compensation. Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers has the experts you need.
Do I Need an Orem Uber Accident Attorney?
Uber accidents can be legally complex, involving multiple insurance policies, corporate liability, and state-specific laws. If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in Orem, hiring an experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process and maximize your compensation.
Here’s why legal representation is crucial:
- Determining Liability: Uber accidents often involve multiple parties, including the Uber driver, other motorists, and even Uber itself. An attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and determine who is responsible for your injuries.
- Navigating Uber’s Insurance Policies: Uber provides different levels of insurance coverage based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. However, rideshare insurance claims can be complicated, and insurance companies may try to minimize payouts.
- Maximizing Compensation: Without legal representation, you may accept a low settlement offer that doesn’t fully cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An Uber accident attorney will fight for the maximum compensation available under the law.
- Handling Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters often pressure victims into quick settlements that don’t reflect the true cost of their injuries. A lawyer will negotiate on your behalf, protecting you from unfair settlement tactics.
- Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary: If Uber or its insurance provider refuses to offer fair compensation, an attorney can file a lawsuit and take your case to court. This legal pressure often leads to better settlement offers.
- Understanding Utah’s Personal Injury Laws: Utah has specific laws, including a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims and comparative negligence rules that could impact your case. An experienced Orem Uber accident lawyer understands these laws and will ensure your claim is handled correctly.
Causes of Uber Accidents in Orem
Uber accidents can happen for various reasons, including driver negligence, poor road conditions, or the actions of other motorists. Unlike typical car crashes, Uber-related accidents involve additional complexities, such as rideshare insurance policies and corporate liability.
Understanding these factors is crucial for anyone involved in an Uber accident. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: Uber drivers rely on their smartphones for navigation, ride requests, and customer communication. Constantly checking the app or responding to messages can lead to distractions, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Driver Fatigue: Many Uber drivers work long hours or drive as a second job, leading to fatigue. Drowsy driving slows reaction times and impairs decision-making, making accidents more likely.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: To complete more trips and maximize earnings, some Uber drivers may speed or take risks on the road. Reckless behaviors like tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and running red lights can lead to dangerous collisions.
- Inexperienced or Untrained Drivers: Uber does not require special training for its drivers beyond a basic background check and vehicle inspection. Some drivers may lack the experience needed to handle heavy traffic, bad weather, or emergency situations.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Uber requires drivers to maintain their vehicles, but not all drivers follow proper maintenance schedules. Worn-out brakes, tire blowouts, or engine failures can contribute to accidents.
- Other Drivers on the Road: Not all Uber accidents are the driver’s fault. Other motorists may drive recklessly, run stop signs, or cause multi-car collisions that involve an Uber vehicle.
- Road and Weather Conditions: Icy roads, heavy rain, and poorly maintained streets can make driving hazardous. Even a careful Uber driver may struggle to avoid accidents in bad conditions.
Understanding Liability in Uber Accident Cases
Determining liability in an Uber accident can be complex because multiple parties may be responsible. Unlike regular car accidents, rideshare accidents involve the Uber driver, Uber as a company, other motorists, and various insurance policies.
Understanding who is at fault is crucial for filing a claim and securing compensation.
Uber Driver Liability
If an Uber driver is responsible for an accident due to negligence—such as distracted driving, speeding, running a red light, or reckless behavior—they can be held liable for damages.
However, whether their personal auto insurance policy covers the incident depends on their specific policy terms. Many personal auto policies exclude coverage for accidents that occur while a driver is engaged in commercial activity, including rideshare services.
To address this gap, Uber requires its drivers to have their own insurance and also provides supplemental coverage. However, the extent of Uber’s coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Uber’s Liability and Insurance Coverage
Uber provides different levels of insurance coverage depending on the driver’s activity at the time of the accident. These coverage tiers are structured as follows:
- Driver Not Logged Into the Uber App: If the Uber driver is not logged into the app when the accident occurs, Uber does not provide any coverage. In this case, the driver’s personal insurance policy is responsible for covering any damages.
- Driver Logged In but Waiting for a Ride Request: If the driver is logged into the Uber app but has not yet accepted a ride request, Uber provides limited liability coverage. This includes:
- Up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury.
- Up to $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- Up to $25,000 for property damage per accident.
- Driver En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or Transporting a Passenger: Once the driver has accepted a ride request and is either on the way to pick up a passenger or actively transporting them, Uber provides its highest level of insurance coverage. This includes:
- $1 million liability coverage, which covers injuries and property damage.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which applies if another driver causes the accident but lacks adequate insurance.
While Uber’s insurance policy offers substantial coverage, proving Uber’s liability can be challenging. In many cases, Uber may argue that the driver was an independent contractor, which can complicate a claim. Seeking legal assistance can help injured parties navigate this complex process.
Other Drivers’ Liability
If another motorist causes the accident, their insurance company is typically responsible for covering damages. Victims may need to file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Pedestrian or Cyclist Accidents
If an Uber driver hits a pedestrian or cyclist, liability depends on whether the driver was actively working for Uber at the time. Uber’s insurance may apply if the driver was transporting a passenger or waiting for a ride request.
Shared Liability
Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning if the accident victim is partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. If they are more than 50% responsible, they may not be eligible for compensation.
What About Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Orem?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is an essential part of Utah’s no-fault insurance system, which applies to Uber accidents in Orem. PIP coverage helps pay for medical expenses and other financial losses after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
In Utah, all drivers, including Uber drivers, must carry a minimum of $3,000 in PIP coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. This coverage is designed to provide immediate financial relief for accident victims by covering:
- Medical bills (hospital visits, physical therapy, prescriptions)
- Lost wages due to injury-related time off work
- Essential household services if the victim is unable to perform daily tasks
Because Utah is a no-fault state, accident victims typically must first use their PIP benefits to cover medical costs. However, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your injuries are severe and meet Utah’s serious injury threshold, which includes:
- Medical expenses exceeding $3,000
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
In an accident involving an Uber driver, the priority of compensation depends on the situation and the type of insurance coverage in place.
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident
If you are involved in an Uber accident, taking the right steps can protect your health, strengthen your claim, and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. Here’s what to do:
Ensure Safety and Call 911
Your safety is the top priority. Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries. Call 911 to report the accident, even if it seems minor.
A police report will provide official documentation that can be crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Gather Evidence
Collecting evidence at the scene can help establish liability and support your claim. If you are able, do the following:
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
- Get contact and insurance information from all involved drivers.
- Collect witness statements and their contact details.
- Note details such as time, location, weather conditions, and traffic signals.
Report the Accident to Uber
Notify Uber about the accident through the app or their website. Uber provides insurance coverage for accidents that occur while a driver is logged into the app.
However, insurance companies may try to minimize payouts, so be cautious when providing information.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not be immediately apparent.
Medical records will also serve as critical evidence when filing a claim.
Consult an Uber Accident Lawyer
Before speaking with insurance adjusters or accepting a settlement, consult an Orem personal injury lawyer who specializes in rideshare accidents. An experienced attorney can:
- Help determine liability and which insurance policy applies.
- Negotiate with Lyft and insurance companies to maximize compensation.
- File a lawsuit if necessary to secure fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim for an Uber Accident?
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident in Orem, it’s important to act quickly, as there is a statute of limitations that limits the time you have to file a legal claim.
- Personal Injury Claims: In Utah, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those from Uber accidents, is four years from the date of the accident. This means you must file a lawsuit within this timeframe, or you may lose your right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Property Damage Claims: If your vehicle or personal belongings were damaged in the accident, you also have four years to file a claim for property damage.
- Wrongful Death Claims: If an Uber accident results in a fatality, the victim’s family may file a wrongful death claim. In Utah, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is two years from the date of death.
- Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations: Certain circumstances may alter the deadline, including:
- Injuries to a minor: If the victim is under 18, the clock may not start until they turn 18.
- Delayed injury symptoms: If injuries were not immediately apparent, the discovery rule may apply, allowing more time to file.
- Government liability: If a government entity is involved (e.g., a city vehicle caused the accident), the deadline may be much shorter, often within one year.
Even though four years may seem like a long time, waiting too long can weaken your case. Evidence may be lost, witnesses may forget details, and insurance companies may delay settlements.
Consulting an Uber accident attorney in Orem as soon as possible ensures your claim is filed on time and your rights are protected.
Get Expert Help From Our Orem Uber Accident Law Firm
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in Orem, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Rideshare accident claims can be complicated, involving multiple insurance companies and legal hurdles.
Having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in securing the compensation you deserve.
Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers specializes in handling Uber accident cases, fighting for victims’ rights, and ensuring they receive maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our team understands Utah’s personal injury laws and knows how to deal with rideshare insurance companies effectively.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim. Contact Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us now at (801) 810-9999 to get started!
