If you got hurt in a collision involving Lyft, Uber, or some other rideshare service, and you did not cause the accident, a St. Louis ridesharing accident lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you pursue compensation from the liable party that could help you recover your losses.
You do not have to be the passenger in the rideshare car to have an injury claim. You could be eligible for financial awards if you got hurt because of someone else’s negligence and you were:
- In another car
- On a bicycle or motorcycle
- A pedestrian
These injury claims are complicated because there can be multiple liability insurance companies involved, and both the driver and the rideshare company can be liable. You probably do not want to handle your own rideshare accident injury claim as a DIY project. One mistake could cost you your right to compensation.
You do not have to be rich to get our help. We handle car accident injury cases on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you do not pay any out-of-pocket expenses or upfront legal fees.
We get paid out of the settlement proceeds or award at the end of the matter. We do not get paid until you win.
If you are interested in hiring an attorney, call us today at (844) 730-0233 to get started. The consultation is free.
Potential Liability of the Rideshare Company
If the rideshare driver’s careless actions caused the accident, the person could be responsible for your losses. The rideshare company could also be legally responsible.
Here are three situations in which the rideshare company’s negligence could contribute to the accident and expose the company to liability:
- Negligent hiring. The rideshare company should not be careless when it hires drivers. At a minimum, these businesses should perform background checks and pull the driving records of people who want to drive for them. If the company fails to do so, and a rideshare driver with four previous offenses of driving under the influence (DUI) causes an accident while driving drunk, the company can have liability.
- Negligent training. Rideshare companies should ensure their drivers know how to drive safely while picking up and dropping off passengers. They should also make sure they know how to use the rideshare app and security camera properly. It can be negligence if the company does not provide this training and that failure leads to an accident with injuries.
- Negligent supervision. In addition to hiring safe drivers with clean driving records, rideshare companies should monitor their drivers and take them off the road when they pose a risk to passengers. For example, the business should create and enforce policies that take away rideshare privileges when one of their drivers gets moving violations or drunk driving convictions.
A St. Louis ridesharing accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can evaluate your situation and determine whether you have a valid claim or lawsuit against the rideshare driver, the company, or both. Give us a call today to schedule a free case evaluation so that we can show you the legal options you have.
For a free legal consultation with a ridesharing accidents lawyer serving St. Louis, call (844) 730-0233
How We Assess the Rideshare Driver’s Liability
We cannot automatically file a lawsuit against the rideshare driver. We have to prove the driver is legally responsible for the accident and, therefore, your injuries. We must show all of these elements to hold the driver accountable for your losses:
- Duty of care. The rideshare driver must have owed you a duty of care. Everyone who operates a motor vehicle on public streets has a responsibility to drive with caution and obey the traffic laws.
- Breach of duty. When someone’s conduct does not meet the legal standard, it is negligence. Let’s say that a rideshare driver picked up a passenger who was running late for a flight. The passenger offered the driver a $100 tip to get him to the airport in time. The driver engaged in speeding and reckless driving, both of which violate the duty of care. The driver could be found negligent.
- Causation. The careless conduct must be the cause of the accident. Because of the excessive speed and frequent lane changes, the rideshare driver lost control of his car and skidded into another car. The driver’s negligence caused the accident.
- Quantifiable losses. The plaintiff must have measurable losses to pursue a claim for compensation. If the accident caused physical injuries to anyone, that person would have a claim against the rideshare driver.
This scenario illustrates the factors we must prove in car accident injury claims, including those against rideshare drivers.
St. Louis Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Pitfalls to Avoid in St. Louis Ridesharing Accident Injury Claims
Like every other state, Missouri limits the time you have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. According to Missouri Civil Procedure and Limitations §516.120, you have five years to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could lose the right to pursue compensation for your losses.
The insurer knows about the time limit. The claims adjuster might pretend to negotiate with you in good faith until the deadline passes, and then the adjuster would “ghost” on you. The at-fault party and his insurance company will have no legal responsibility to pay you at that point.
Another danger to avoid is when the adjuster asks you to give a recorded statement. If you comply, the adjuster will ask you questions and record your responses. The insurer can then cherry-pick your answers and twist them into something you did not intend. If the adjuster asks you to give a recorded statement, tell him to talk to your lawyer.
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Getting Legal Help for Your St. Louis Ridesharing Accident Injury Claim
You do not have to go through the claims process and possible lawsuit on your own. The negligent driver and his insurance company have teams of people whose job is to pay you as little money as possible. You do not have to deal with them by yourself.
A St. Louis ridesharing accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can fight your legal battles for you so that you can rest and recuperate. You can call us today at (844) 730-0233 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
