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Rideshare services, such as Lyft, make transportation convenient and easy—but getting caught up in a Lyft accident is anything but that. From recovering from physical injury to filing claims with insurance companies, the aftermath of an accident can be stressful and overwhelming. At Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, we serve people across Utah who have found themselves in this distressing and possibly devastating situation. While you recover from the physical and emotional effects of a Lyft accident, we will deal with the paperwork and insurance companies to help give you the best chance at obtaining the compensation you need to recover.
If you were injured in a Lyft accident in Utah, call (801) 810-9999 or contact Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers online to schedule a free case review.
Whether you’re exploring a new city during your travels or commuting to work, rideshare services like Lyft can be a convenient way to get from point A to point B. No longer are travelers stuck with the hassle of renting a car or figuring out a new city’s public transport system. So long as you have a smartphone, you can order a ride in a matter of minutes in most U.S. cities.
Though convenient, rideshare drivers and passengers are not immune to accidents on the road. Rideshare-related accidents are among the over 59,000 crashes that occurred in 2022 in Utah alone. In the aftermath of a Lyft accident, victims can be faced with a confusing slew of medical expenses, physical injuries, and even emotional trauma—not to mention the overwhelming experience of dealing with insurance companies, determining liability, and navigating the claims process.
If you have found yourself in this distressing situation as a result of a Utah Lyft accident, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we are here to help. At Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, we specialize in helping victims of car accidents seek compensation for their injuries and damages, including victims of Lyft accidents.
The aftermath of a rideshare accident can involve a headache-inducing process of seeking compensation for your losses. Although Lyft insures its drivers in some circumstances, you may still face many roadblocks when trying to file claims of the injuries and damages you endured because of a Lyft accident. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for rideshare companies to push back when drivers or passengers seek compensation or file claims after an accident. This is where a Utah Lyft accident lawyer can help.
When you face resistance and confusion upon filing a claim after a rideshare accident, an experienced Lyft accident attorney can make a significant difference in your case. They provide experience and knowledge to ensure a fair representation of your claim, including:
Evidence acts as the backbone of any claim or injury case following a Lyft accident. Evidence can be used to prove negligence, determine liability, and generally support a claim. Depending on how the accident played out, a variety of evidence can be used including a copy of the official accident report and photographs of the scene.
As with other types of motor vehicle accidents, anyone involved in a rideshare accident should take pictures or videos of the scene of the accident, including any damaged vehicles or property, traffic signs, skid marks, and injuries. Traffic camera footage, if available, can also be valuable evidence. Documenting the visual evidence can prove very useful when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action.
In addition to documented visual evidence, statements from eyewitnesses can also support your claim, as well as copies of your medical records and bills resulting from injuries caused by the accident. You will want to log any communication you have with Lyft customer service regarding the accident as well.
If you are involved in a Lyft accident, you may be qualified to recover certain damages as compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. Although the specific damages you recover will depend on your situation, there are a few main categories your Utah personal injury attorney will explore:
There are many factors that play a role in determining who is held liable in a car accident, or in other words, who is legally responsible for the damages and losses. This is where insurance companies typically come into play, as they play a large role in determining liability — and the subsequent payout or settlement in a car accident. After an accident is reported, they will initiate an investigation to gather any information and evidence needed to assess fault. In some accidents, multiple parties will share the responsibility, or fault, for the accident.
If clear liability is established, the claimant can move on to negotiations in which the insurance company of the at-fault driver will negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company to determine a settlement. This settlement is intended to compensate for any damages and injuries caused by the accident. The goal of a settlement is to resolve a claim without having to go to court. However, if liability can not be agreed upon, or the settlement is deemed insufficient, the injured party may choose to file a lawsuit against the liable, or at-fault, driver. In this case, a judge or jury will hold the responsibility of determining liability and the appropriate compensation.
The process of determining liability is complex enough for the average car accident. However, when it comes to a rideshare accident, this process is even more nuanced. If the Lyft driver is found at fault for the accident, the question then becomes: is Lyft liable? This depends on a lot of factors. For example, if the driver was not properly using the app or not logged on, then Lyft may be free of liability. In this case, the driver’s personal insurance would apply. The process used to determine liability may vary according to state laws, especially in accidents when rideshare services are involved. When such complexities are at play, it may be worth it to work with an experienced car accident attorney in Utah to navigate complex liability situations.
Though it would be nice to believe that insurance companies put their customer’s best interest at the forefront during liability and settlement negotiations, unfortunately, all too often this is not the case. While car insurance is intended to provide support in times of need, insurance companies are profit-driven entities.
It is important to note that insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing their claims payout. Because of this, the bottom line of the insurance companies and the best interest of the injured party are often at odds. To protect their own interest, insurance companies may use tactics like trying to downplay the severity of injuries and damages or suggest that preexisting conditions are responsible for their injuries. They may even try to shift liability in the hopes to avoid paying for the full amount of damages.
Further, companies like Lyft will routinely try to avoid reporting accidents or downplay their severity in order to limit their exposure to liability while “puffing up” their own safety numbers.
These are just a few of the many reasons why you should consider seeking legal representation from an experienced personal injury and/or Lyft accident attorney when you’re involved in a car accident, especially one as complex as a rideshare accident. This is where our team at Valley Law can help. We will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected during the negotiation process.
If you’ve been in a Lyft accident in the state of Utah, make sure your best interest is protected by working with an experienced accident attorney. Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers can guide you through the confusing and overwhelming process of filing claims and negotiating with insurance companies so that you can focus your energy on recovering from the accident. You can rest easy knowing your best interest and legal rights are in good hands.
To learn more about how we can help you, schedule a free case review by calling (801) 810-9999 or contacting us online.
We have helped many clients recover from injuries resulting from car accidents in West Valley, Salt Lake City, and the greater Utah area. We are here to help you recover after an accident. If you've been injured, don't hesitate to call Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We have recovered millions for our clients and we are ready to fight for you.
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