Rideshare apps have revolutionized the way we get around. Whether it’s a quick trip around the corner or a ride to the airport, mobile apps like Uber and Lyft allow us to quickly hail a ride and get where we need to go.
However, rideshare isn’t without its share of dangers.
Uber and Lyft drivers take the majority of their rides when driving conditions are the worst. After all, we often take rideshare when we’d rather not drive: Heavy traffic, poor weather, or late at night. Rideshare drivers must manage all of this while always keeping one eye on their app and GPS.
What should you do if you are injured in a car crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft? After receiving medical attention, your next call should be to a St. Louis personal injury attorney.
If you are injured in a car accident, the days and weeks after the accident can be difficult. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you might be dealing with medical bills, lost time from work, and diminished quality of life.
With so much going on, seeking and obtaining compensation can be daunting.
Uber accidents often involve multiple parties, including the driver, the passengers, and the rideshare company. Who is responsible for what, and how do you pursue compensation from them?
If you are injured in an Uber accident, your attorney can help you navigate the complicated legal process and work to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
In addition to helping you file a claim against the at-fault driver, your attorney can also file a claim against the rideshare company. After all, these companies are in the business of transportation and should be held accountable when their services lead to an injury.
Your attorney will handle the “heavy lifting” of your personal injury claim against the driver and rideshare company, working to get you maximum compensation as efficiently as possible and allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
When you work with the St. Louis car accident attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, you can expect:
Rideshare accident cases often involve unique legal challenges that make them more complex than standard car accident claims. One significant factor is the involvement of multiple parties. Unlike a typical car accident, where liability may rest with two drivers, a rideshare case introduces additional players, such as the rideshare company and its insurers. This creates a web of responsibility and raises questions about who should be held accountable.
Another layer of complexity arises from the distinct insurance policies tied to rideshare services. Coverage varies depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. If the app is off, only the driver’s personal insurance applies. When the app is on but no ride has been accepted, limited rideshare company coverage is in effect. Once a trip is accepted or underway, the company’s commercial insurance provides more extensive coverage, often up to $1 million. Determining the applicable policy and navigating between personal and corporate insurance can be a challenging process.
Moreover, rideshare companies often classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. This classification can shield the companies from direct liability, complicating efforts to pursue claims against them. However, there are scenarios where the rideshare company’s negligence, such as poor background checks or app malfunctions, may make them partially liable.
Given these complexities, victims need legal representation to identify liable parties, interpret insurance policies, and work toward fair compensation for their injuries and losses. Understanding these challenges underscores the importance of consulting a knowledgeable attorney to handle a rideshare accident claim effectively.
Missouri does not have a cap on personal injury lawsuits. This means that you can seek damages for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering — regardless of the amount.
The damages you can recover can range from the thousands to millions, depending on the facts of the case and the extent of your injuries. These damages typically fall into two categories: Economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those that can be quantified in terms of money. This can includes:
Non-economic damages are those that cannot be quantified in terms of money. This can include:
After a serious crash in an Uber or Lyft in the St. Louis area, many people are unsure what the actual claim process looks like or how long it might take. The first steps usually involve getting medical care, reporting the collision to law enforcement, and notifying the rideshare company through its app or incident reporting system. From there, insurance carriers for the driver, the rideshare company, and any other involved vehicles begin gathering information, which can be confusing if you are still recovering or dealing with treatment at a local facility such as Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Once you hire an attorney, we collect key evidence like police reports from agencies such as the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, app screenshots, trip receipts, witness statements and photos from the scene. Your lawyer will then open claims with the appropriate insurers, determine which coverage tiers apply under Uber or Lyft’s policies, and calculate your damages based on medical records, lost income, and how the crash has affected your daily life.
In Missouri, there is a five-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. This means that you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely be unable to seek damages for your injuries.
This deadline applies to many personal injury lawsuits, including those involving car accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, and product liability, but there can be exceptions depending on the type of claim and the parties involved.
If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. The attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel, and Kruse will work diligently on your behalf and will make sure that all deadlines are met.
Contact the St. Louis rideshare accident lawyers at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse today for a no-cost evaluation of your case at 314-241-1919.
Rideshare drivers are everyday people. They are not professional drivers and may not have the same level of experience or training as a taxi driver.
Under Missouri law, rideshare drivers must pass a criminal background check and have a clean driving record, but they do not need to take defensive driving courses or carry a commercial operator’s license.
As everyday people, rideshare drivers are often guilty of the same traffic violations as other drivers:
Combine this with what we mentioned above — that rideshare drivers are often on the road for long stretches in unfavorable conditions — we see that Uber and Lyft drivers are often at a greater risk for car accidents than the population at large.
Rideshare passengers sometimes don’t wear their seatbelts when sitting in the back seat, so common injuries resulting from Uber and Lyft accidents can include.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident involving a rideshare driver, it’s important to speak with a personal injury attorney about your options. Your attorney will be able to work with you to file insurance claims to get immediate payment to handle your medical bills and time away from work, and they will pursue compensation for you from the negligent driver.
As we mentioned above, the days and weeks after being injured in a car accident can be stressful. Not only are you managing your recovery from those injuries, but you’re likely also juggling time away from work, medical bills, and diminished quality of life.
While you focus on feeling better and recovering from your injuries, your attorney will work to recover the maximum possible compensation to cover those bills and lost income.
When it comes to hiring an attorney to represent you, there is no “one size fits all” best personal injury attorney. Some attorneys are stronger at certain types of cases, and others have deeper case histories in certain areas. When you interview lawyers, make sure to ask about their history in handling cases like yours. Do they have a proven track record of success, or do they specialize in other areas?
When you work with the St. Louis car accident attorneys Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, you work with a team with two of the 2022 list of Best Lawyers as well as a Top 50 and Top 100 lawyer in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury by Super Lawyers Magazine. With more than $700 million recovered for our clients, this team wins.
Our attorneys have handled thousands of cases and can bring that experience to bear throughout your case.
We have successfully recovered over $700 million for our clients.
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Our team is available 24/7 to address your concerns and provide support.
Trust us to get you through the frustrating process of seeking compensation with empathy, respect, and dedication.
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