In Missouri, victims injured in auto accidents face many challenges when it comes to holding at-fault parties accountable and recovering compensation for their losses. However, when crashes involve a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, case complexity can increase considerably.
If you or someone you love were injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a rideshare driver, working with an experienced rideshare accident attorney in Columbia from Aaron Sachs & Associates can help you navigate the challenges ahead.
Backed by 200 years of combined experience, our firm has earned regional recognition for helping victims and families after preventable accidents. We’ve recovered over $500 million in compensation in cases involving car wrecks, serious injuries, and wrongful death. Call us today to speak to a Columbia personal injury lawyer about your case.
We Handle All Types of Rideshare Accident Claims
Aaron Sachs & Associates is a Missouri-based firm with a regional reputation for success. Devoted solely to fighting for the injured, we’ve helped victims prevail in a range of personal injury claims and have considerable experience handling cases involving auto collisions and rideshare services.
A deep understanding of Missouri’s legal landscape allows us to offer a well-rounded approach to rideshare cases. We consider the unique aspects of each claim, such as complex insurance coverage issues and the evolving legal standards applicable to rideshare companies.
We also have experience litigating cases in the Boone County Circuit Court and can escalate your claim to a lawsuit if necessary to recover your losses.
We proudly represent victims injured in rideshare accidents involving all types of circumstances, including:
- Accidents caused by rideshare drivers
- Rideshare passenger injuries
- Carpool, vanpool, and shuttle bus service accidents
- Pedestrians and bicyclists struck by rideshare vehicles
- Collisions between rideshare vehicles and trucks
- Fatal accidents or wrecks resulting in catastrophic injuries
For a free legal consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer serving Columbia, call 417-777-7777
Rideshare Accidents in Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is home to the University of Missouri, which is why there is an active rideshare industry filled with students and locals who rely on Uber and Lyft for safe and convenient rides.
This area also has a surplus of Mizzou students who work as rideshare drivers for Uber and Lyft, as well as delivery services like DoorDash or Instacart, which give them a flexible way to earn income while attending classes.
Aside from students, Columbia’s diverse population includes professionals and families who frequently use rideshare services as a primary mode of transport. This usage contributes to a dynamic, yet challenging, environment for both users and drivers of these services. Consequently, rideshare-related incidents can quickly become complicated, warranting comprehensive legal strategies for effective resolution.
Columbia Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me 417-777-7777
Why Your “Role” in a Rideshare Accident Matters
Who you were in a rideshare accident impacts much of the personal injury claim process. That’s not only because insurance coverage varies depending on whether you were in a rideshare vehicle at the time of the crash or were struck by one, but also because there may be potential for disputes and allegations about fault and liability.
For example:
- If you were a rideshare driver, insurance companies may argue that you caused a wreck, another motorist is at fault, or both you and another party share some responsibility for a crash.
- If you were in another vehicle, the rideshare driver may be at fault for a crash, or it may be argued that you (in part or in whole) caused the accident.
- If you were a passenger who paid for a rideshare ride, you generally won’t be held at fault unless you did something that arguably resulted in the collision.
Understanding your specific role in the accident is critical for assembling a robust legal claim. Each role comes with its own set of challenges and potential defenses, and it’s crucial to approach these with a clear strategy.
Our team diligently examines all evidence, including witness statements, traffic reports, and digital data, to build a case that effectively reflects your position in the incident.
Rideshare services—and more specifically, the insurance carriers that underwrite their policies—employ large in-house legal teams that deal exclusively with accidents involving their drivers.
These legal teams devote extensive resources to finding ways to deny, dispute, and underpay claims, which only adds to the challenges that victims face when seeking justice.
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How Insurance Coverage Works in Rideshare Accident Claims
Insurance coverage is a key component of any accident claim, and there must be sufficient coverage to recover for your damages, especially if any serious bodily injuries are involved.
However, due to the unique employment nature of rideshare companies, determining how insurance coverage works can be a challenge when accidents involve a rideshare driver.
How insurance coverage works in rideshare accidents depends on several factors:
- For rideshare passengers: If you were a passenger at the time of a wreck, you will likely be covered by the company’s commercial insurance policy. Typically, these policies provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for accidents regardless of who is at fault. In cases where a victim’s damages exceed these policy limits (such as those involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death), it may be possible to seek compensation from other liable parties, such as a private motorist who contributed to the crash, a negligent premises owner, or the manufacturer of a defective product.
- For rideshare drivers: If you were a rideshare driver in a crash caused by another motorist, you may be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance policy if you were transporting a passenger at the time of the collision. In some cases, depending on whether you were “on the clock” and available on the app or on your way to pick up a passenger, you may be covered by a lower-limit insurance policy, the rideshare company’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, any optional insurance coverage from Uber or Lyft, or your own auto insurance policy.
- For others injured by a rideshare vehicle: If you were injured by a rideshare vehicle as a private motorist, a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or some other party, available coverage will depend on what the rideshare driver in your accident was doing at the time of the collision. For example, were they transporting a fare? (covered under a commercial insurance policy), available on the app? (covered by a lower-limit policy), or not using the app? (covered by the driver’s personal insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, or available coverage from other potentially liable parties).
Insurance policies tied to rideshare services often reflect the dynamic nature of the rideshare industry. They are contingent on the driver’s status at the time of the accident—driving a fare, available on the app, or off the app—which significantly affects claim size and acceptance.
Aaron Sachs & Associates stays abreast of industry changes to effectively counsel clients on the intricate details surrounding insurance claims and helps clients make informed decisions during the process.
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What Compensation Can I Recover in a Lyft or Uber Accident Claim?
The compensation you can recover in a Lyft or Uber accident claim depends on the circumstances of your case.
Factors such as the severity of your injuries, whether you have lasting disabilities, your lost income and earning potential, your age, and many others will ultimately determine the amount and type of compensation you’ll be able to pursue. Generally, victims injured in Uber and Lyft accidents can recover the following damages in civil claims:
- Past expenses for medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Future medical bills for ongoing care or treatment
- Lost income and lost earning potential
- Property damage repair and replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life
- Lost emotional and financial support (for family members)
- Other financial and non-economic losses
Our commitment at Aaron Sachs & Associates is to advocate for your complete recovery by meticulously documenting each aspect of your damages and ensuring all your claims are supported with concrete evidence.
Contact a Columbia Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
Missouri’s statute of limitations (RSMo. 516.120) gives you limited time to file a lawsuit for injuries after a rideshare accident. So the best option is to start early by talking to a knowledgeable rideshare accident attorney.
At Aaron Sachs & Associates, we know financial concerns can be immense in the wake of accidents and injuries, which is why we take the time to explain how civil recoveries work and the types of compensation we can pursue on your behalf.
In all matters we handle, our team lays the groundwork that positions clients for the fullest compensation supported by the evidence and applicable law.
Request a free initial consultation with a Columbia rideshare accident attorney from our firm. Call us or contact us online today.
Call or text 417-777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
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