Uber is one of the most popular ridesharing apps. With the growing demand for rides, the number of accidents caused by uber drivers has also increased. A personal injury attorney in Osage Beach, MO, can assist you if you were hurt while riding in or near a ridesharing vehicle.
Injured victims of an Uber collision who wish to file a lawsuit for compensation should determine who is legally responsible for the accident. Charlie Dickman, at Dickman Law has extensive experience in rideshare accident lawsuits. Start your legal journey with a free legal consultation.
Understanding Fault in an Uber Collision Claim
Because ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft don’t see themselves as transportation companies, determining fault in incidents involving their drivers may be challenging. They consider themselves less as transportation providers and more as brokers who merely connect the drivers with riders.
In most jurisdictions, including Missouri, drivers using ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are independent contractors; thus, their respective companies are usually not liable for any injuries or damages that might occur.
To file a claim against Uber, you have to demonstrate that:
- The ridesharing company (Uber) acted negligently
- The negligence of Uber caused your accident
- The accident resulted in recoverable damages
While you could argue that Uber’s policies contributed to an accident, the court may not entertain your claim without substantial evidence. However, you can still recover damages after an Uber accident in Missouri.
For a free legal consultation with a uber accidents lawyer serving Osage Beach, call 573-744-4878
Getting Compensation After an Uber Accident in Osage Beach
Even if Uber is not technically at fault, they could be held liable for your medical bills and other losses incurred in a major collision. If you feel you have been wronged, you may be able to file a claim for compensation with the following:
The Driver’s Insurance Company
In Missouri, it’s a requirement that all vehicles have insurance. Any individual operating a ridesharing service must have insurance with limits of at least $25,000 for property damage and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.
Uber’s Accident Insurance
When protecting its drivers, Uber is the first to cover its drivers. Injured parties may get compensation of $1 million for their losses. Uber crash claims are more complex than other vehicle accident lawsuits.
Osage Beach Uber Accident Lawyer Near Me 573-744-4878
Complex Nature of Uber Accident Claims
While Uber offers protection in the form of mandatory third-party insurance coverage, they don’t always consider rideshare-related claims. Certain circumstances must be met for Uber’s auto insurance to be in effect. Here are some unique situations to be aware of:
- You can’t submit a claim with Uber if the driver wasn’t using the app at the time of the accident. In this case, the driver’s insurance would cover your medical expenses.
- Up to $50,000 in damages may be awarded if the rideshare driver logged into the app online but was not accepting passengers.
- Accidents that occur while a Uber driver is picking up, on his way to pick up, or dropping off a customer are covered by the company’s insurance up to a million dollars.
For-profit corporations like Uber, and their insurance providers, would do anything to avoid paying out on a claim. They may insist you go through your driver’s coverage to be compensated. This path might not be the right choice for you.
So, before accepting a settlement, you should consult with a Missouri car accident lawyer. Having a skilled rideshare accident lawyer on your side can increase your chances of a favorable legal outcome.
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Who Can Receive Compensation After a Uber Accident?
Not everyone will have a case against Uber in a collision. Parties who may seek compensation after an Uber crash include:
- An Uber passenger
- A driver who an Uber driver hurt
- A pedestrian, motorist, cyclist, or another bystander who sustained injuries in the crash
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Statute of Limitations in Missouri for Accidents
One major aspect of getting a claim is filing it on time. Missouri has a shorter time restriction for filing claims than most states. You have five years from the date of the accident in Missouri to file a lawsuit. Insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits have time limits within which they must be filed; if the deadline passes, the plaintiff loses their right to sue, even if the case is undisputed.
However, all statutes come with exceptions. If your case falls in the category of exceptions, you might have a chance at filing even after missing the deadline. You must contact a personal injury lawyer to know your deadline and discuss your case.
Compensation Awarded in a Rideshare Accident in Missouri
A Missouri automobile accident attorney would defend you in a claim for compensation if you were hurt in a ridesharing accident. Here are the damages you can claim compensation for:
- Expenses related to health care
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future wages lost
- Pain and anguish
- Mental distress
- Funeral and burial expenses
During your appointment with your lawyer, you must mention other injuries-related expenses. This will ease the case assessment and increase your chances of winning a deserving compensation that covers various kinds of expenses. Uber covers some expenses to some extent in its insurance plan.
Get Legal Consultation from a Uber Accident Lawyer in Osage Beach
Independent contractors working for ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft must maintain their automobile insurance policies. The ridesharing businesses also provide their drivers with liability insurance to safeguard drivers, their passengers, and everyone else in case of an accident.
While legal information is easily accessible online on different websites, it might not be sufficient enough to make you win your case. To ensure success, you need a compassionate personal injury lawyer by your side. Someone like Charlie Dickman of Dickman Law is your safest bet when fighting a lawsuit against the rideshare giant Uber. To know more about how Dickman Law can help you, contact us by phone or fill out our online form.
Call or text 573-744-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form