Rideshare Accident Lawyer in St. Louis

Helping Clients Recover Financial Compensation After Being Injured in a Rideshare Accident

Due to the increased demand for economical transportation services, rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft are more common than ever. However, with the increase in the number of drivers, there is an ever-increasing risk of being involved in an accident.

If you were a driver of another vehicle or a passenger injured due to an Uber or Lyft accident, you must hire an experienced lawyer who can protect your legal rights. Missouri laws surrounding ridesharing car accident cases can be overly complex and constantly changing.

For these reasons, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer who can explain your legal rights and determine the options available.

Contact the Labovitz Law Firm of St. Louis, MO, and ask to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

What Should I Do if I Have Been Injured in a Rideshare Accident?

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, there are several steps you must take to protect your well-being and future ability to file a claim. These steps include:

• Get to a safe area and check yourself and any other passengers for injuries.
• Contact law enforcement to report the collision if the accident involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. It is vital to obtain an official accident report that can provide details regarding the accident.
• Gather important information, including all drivers’ names, contact information, license plate numbers, and insurance information.
• Seek medical treatment immediately: One of the most essential steps injury victims must take is to seek medical treatment. Often, an insurance company will refuse to pay a claim unless a medical professional has evaluated the accident victim within a specific timeframe.
• Report the crash to Uber or Lyft: Along with the other steps accident victims should take to protect their legal rights, they must report the incident to Uber, Lyft, or the appropriate rideshare company. Ridesharing companies make it easy to report accidents through their apps or online, after which a company representative will contact you for more details.
• Contact an Uber and Lyft accident attorney who can provide you with the legal advice you need to obtain financial compensation for your injuries.

The Labovitz Law Firm has extensive experience handling claims for Uber or Lyft accident victims and would be honored to assist you with your legal needs.

Who Can Be Held Liable For Damages Sustained in a Rideshare Accident?

Understanding who can be held liable for damages in a ridesharing accident can be confusing as a rideshare driver is considered an independent contractor. As a result, it often comes down to the driver’s status during the crash. Uber or Lyft covers passengers or other motorists involved in the accident as long as the rideshare driver was successfully logged into their app.

However, if the driver was not logged in at the time of the accident, injury victims may have to file a claim against the driver’s personal insurance policy. Consequently, the amount of coverage available depends on the period the Lyft or Uber driver was in at the time of the accident.

• Period 0: The driver’s app is off; therefore, an accident victim must file a claim against the operator’s personal insurance policy.
• Period 1: The driver is waiting for a ride request. At this point, if there is an accident, Lyft or Uber insurance only provides liability coverage. However, many rideshare drivers carry secondary coverage to fill in insurance gaps.
• Period 2: The Uber or Lyft driver has accepted a request and is en route to pick up a passenger. At this point, Lyft or Uber’s insurance coverage is in full effect.
• Period 3: The driver has passengers in their rideshare vehicle, and just as in period two, Uber or Lyft insurance coverage is in force.

Can I Obtain Compensation for Medical Expenses That Resulted From a Ridesharing Accident?

Missouri law dictates that auto accident victims can file a personal injury claim to try and recover economic and non-economic damages from the ridesharing company’s insurance company or driver’s personal policy.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are granted to accident victims to compensate them for money they have paid as a result of their injuries and may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage

Non Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate injury victims for their intangible losses and often include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring

If you want more information about the benefits of hiring a Lyft or Uber accident attorney, contact our law firm to learn how we can fight to help you obtain a settlement that will provide you with the financial compensation you deserve.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Lyft or Uber Car Accident Attorney to Handle My Claim?

Often, a ridesharing company will try to settle an accident claim quickly to avoid fighting a lawsuit in court. However, in most cases, these quick accident settlements do not consider the victim’s best interests and provide compensation for potential future medical expenses.

Additionally, there have been instances where rideshare insurance has denied claims if it was discovered the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. To protect your legal rights and avoid delaying or denying your claim, you need an attorney who can file an Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit if necessary.

At the Labovitz Law Firm, our Lyft and Uber accident lawyer will fight to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries and help you resume your life. Contact our St. Louis law offices at 314-668-2268 and ask to schedule a free case evaluation so that our personal injury lawyer can review your case and determine the available legal strategies.