Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft continue to grow in popularity and use in the Kansas City metro area. These ridesharing services have expanded throughout Missouri and Kansas by promising a more convenient, affordable and safe way to travel. Unfortunately, as ridesharing has grown, the number of car accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles has also increased.
If you were injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may be unsure about who should be held accountable and what insurance may be available to cover your damages.
That's where we come in. Our experienced Kansas City car accident attorneys know how to handle these types of accidents, and will help you navigate every step of the way. Call us today at 816-203-0143 for a free consultation and to get the compensation you deserve.
Were You Injured as an Uber or Lyft Passenger?
If you were injured while riding as an Uber passenger, you should know that Uber typically insures its drivers with $1 million in liability, uninsured, and underinsured coverage. As a result, there should be at least $1 million in available insurance coverage for injuries and other losses caused by the accident, regardless of whether the Uber driver or another driver was at fault.
This can be beneficial if an uninsured or underinsured motorist, such as a drunk or impaired driver with no insurance, runs a red light and crashes into the Uber vehicle in which you were riding. Your lost wages and medical bills could be expensive, but Uber’s uninsured coverage would be available to cover those costs up to the limit of $1 million.
Unfortunately, injuries sustained while riding in an Uber are always covered. Uber drivers are considered independent contractors. As a result, that Uber may deny claims arising from the intentional acts of its drivers, such as assaults or violence against passengers.
Were You a Passenger or Driver in a Car Hit by an Uber or Lyft?
If you are in a vehicle that is in a crash with an Uber vehicle, it is critical to find out whether the Uber driver was working – ie. carrying a paying passenger - or driving in between fares. If the other driver had a paying passenger in the Uber vehicle, then the $1 million policy limits policy should apply. However, if the driver was off-duty or driving between pick-ups, you may be limited to the driver's personal coverage limits, along with your own coverage, as with a typical car accident.
What You Should Do After a Kansas City Uber or Lyft Accident
- Gather information. As with any car accident, you should gather information and document the accident as best you can at the scene. This includes getting all drivers’ names, contact information, license plate numbers and insurance policy information.
- Report the crash to the police. You should also report the crash to the police if the car accident resulted in injury, death, or more than $500 worth of damage. If you are unsure, you should err on the side of reporting the accident to police.
- Report the crash to Uber or Lyft. You should also report the accident to Uber, Lyft or the ridesharing company involved. Do not allow your Uber or Lyft driver convince you to not report the crash. These companies have a system to report crashes through their applications or online. An Uber/Lyft representative will contact you to get more details about the crash.
- Seek medical treatment. Perhaps most important, seek prompt and professional medical care for any injuries that you sustained. Delaying medical care is not good for your injuries or for your legal case. Sometimes injuries do not appear at first to be serious but can become serious if untreated. For that reason, even if you don’t experience symptoms right away, see your doctor and explain what happened.
Call Our Kansas City Uber Accident Lawyer
Car accidents involving Uber, Lyft and ridesharing vehicles are legally more complicated than ordinary car accidents. When it comes to legal questions about these types of accidents, we're here to help. Our experienced car accident attorneys are licensed in Missouri and Kansas, and will listen to your concerns, answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.
If you've been injured by an unsafe driver in a ridesharing accident, contact us today at 816-203-0143 or through our online contact form for a free consultation. You can also instantly download our free e-book Crash Course: 9 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim. We’re here to help, and on your side.
