Not all cities are large enough to have thriving taxicab services. Salt Lake City, Utah, just happens to be big enough to have not just one or two cab services, but several. Yet not all of the services that you can get a ride from are actually cab services. They are what are known as “ride share” services. The difference does not seem significant to the average passenger, but when it comes to regulations and laws, there is a vast difference. In fact, one might actually put passengers at far more risk than the other, even if the service is faster and more convenient. When the difference does become important and personal, people can find assistance with a Salt Lake City taxi accident lawyer.

Rideshare Versus Taxicab Services

When it comes to getting a ride, there is not much difference between a rideshare service and a taxicab service. When it comes to an accident or personal safety, the difference can be huge. Rideshare companies sometimes operate illegally in Salt Lake City. This is because they do not consider themselves to be taxicab companies. In fact, they claim to simply be a platform to help people find rides to the places they need to go. Yet they are listed and tagged as cab services on travel apps.

Insurance Requirements for Taxicabs

The difference is in more than just the category name. Taxicab companies are required to adhere to strict insurance and licensing standards. This allows them to do background checks on employees and to hire drivers who only meet certain requirements. It also means maintaining commercial liability insurance. Rideshare companies might operate without any of these conditions being met, which means that passengers are not covered to the extent that they would be in a commercial vehicle. This is important to keep in mind if you are in a taxicab accident and need to seek compensation for your injuries.

Taxi Accident Risk

The risk of getting into an accident with a taxicab is higher than it is for getting into an accident with other vehicles. For one thing, taxis only make money when they transport passengers. The faster they get the passenger to where they are going, the more they can make per hour. Tipping for fast service is also an incentive for the driver to drive faster than what might be safe. There is also more risk for accidents in taxis than with other cars just because there are so many taxicabs in Salt Lake City. Further, taxicabs don’t always implement safety measures such as the appropriate seat belts or restraining devices, which can mean you might experience more severe injuries if there is an accident.

Risk to Taxicabs and Liability

Any passenger knows that when they get into a vehicle, there is some risk involved. There is always the potential for an accident to happen. However, cabs offer an additional risk in the event of an accident. The more accidents taxi companies have filed against them, the more expensive the insurance rates are. It can also impact their income in general if they develop a reputation for being in accidents. Because of this risk, the driver and the company he or she works for may be forced to deny as much responsibility as possible. This means getting things like medical costs covered may not be easy for passengers who are in a cab during an accident. In the case of rideshare, it takes a savvy Salt Lake City taxi accident lawyer to work through the details of the law and responsibilities.

Craig Swapp & Associates Taxi Accident Lawyers

Taxicab accidents can be more complicated than regular traffic accidents simply because of the people and companies involved. You will need an experienced taxi accident lawyer to make sure you get any compensation you deserve because the other people involved will not have your best interests in mind. Insurance companies and drivers won’t want to accept responsibility for an accident, and you don’t have to battle them alone.

If you or someone you know has been in a taxicab accident, make sure you have the right lawyers on your side. Contact our office online immediately or call (800) 404-9000 for a free consultation so we can help.