A car accident can result in painful injuries that affect your life for months or years. If you’re unable to work, the financial strain of mounting medical bills can be overwhelming. It’s especially tough when another driver’s negligence causes such hardship for you and your family.
If you’re hurt in a car accident through no fault of your own, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. If that person is an Uber driver, our Uber accident lawyers in Gladstone can help you determine liability and hold Uber, their driver, or both accountable.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, our car accident lawyers in Gladstone have helped us recover over $1 billion in combined judgments, settlements, and jury awards. Call now to schedule your free consultation and tell us about your Uber accident case.
Why Are Uber Accidents Different?
From the beginning of your case, it is important to understand that Uber drivers are not employees; they are contractors. Uber has limited control over their actions, and that means the company isn’t always liable when its drivers cause a crash or behave negligently.
While Uber does have significant insurance coverage, it only applies in certain situations and to varying levels. Whether or not Uber or their driver is liable for your damages depends on the details of the accident and what their driver was doing at the time of the crash.
Our personal injury lawyers in Gladstone will investigate your accident and determine who should be held responsible for your damages. Then, we’ll calculate the full value of your hardships, file your claim, deal with insurance providers, and work toward a fair settlement or award.
When Is Uber Liable for Damages in an Accident?
How insurance works in a rideshare accident can be complicated. Uber may be responsible if their driver causes a crash, but it depends on the driver’s status at the time and whether or not they were logged into their Uber app.
Here is how Uber’s insurance coverage, or lack thereof, applies:
- If the app is off, Uber typically isn’t involved.
- If the driver was logged in and waiting for a ride, Uber provides limited liability coverage.
- If the driver had accepted a trip or had a passenger, Uber’s full commercial policy may apply, which includes up to $1 million in coverage.
Uber may be liable if it failed to properly screen a driver or ignored customer complaints about an unsafe driver. However, proving Uber’s liability often isn’t always easy. Our Uber accident attorneys in Gladstone may refer to app records, trip data, and other evidence to show fault.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Can You Sue an Uber Driver for an Accident?
If the driver caused the accident while not signed into their app, they were essentially off the clock. Your case then becomes like any other car accident. If they were negligent, you may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit to recover damages.
However, suing usually isn’t your first step. Most car accident claims are settled through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of each route so you can choose what’s best for your situation.
It’s also possible that another driver, cyclist, or pedestrian played a role in your accident. Our Gladstone Uber accident lawyers will explain the legal rights and responsibilities of rideshare users, investigate all possibilities, and hold the appropriate parties responsible.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for an Uber Accident Claim?
In Missouri, in most cases, you have five years from the date of the Uber accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case.
There are exceptions. Missouri’s 5-year limit for personal injury claims may be extended if the injured person is under 21, mentally incapacitated, or if the defendant leaves the state. Wrongful death claims follow a separate 3–year deadline from the date of death.
It’s important to consult with our attorneys as soon as possible after your injury. Accident details, like witness statements or ride data, can become harder to obtain as time passes. Our team will make sure your claim is complete and filed on time in accordance with Missouri law.
Get Help from Our Uber Accident Attorneys in Gladstone
If you have been injured in a car accident, you would typically file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. However, when you’re dealing with a rideshare company like Uber, it isn’t always obvious who is responsible for your damages or where to file your claim.
Puzzling out the complicated relationship between Uber and its drivers is the last thing you should have to do when you are trying to recover from your injuries. Our Uber accident attorneys in Gladstone will determine who is liable in your rideshare accident and pursue compensation.
Our team at Foster Wallace has over 45 years of combined experience standing up for the rights of injured victims in Missouri and helping them get the justice they deserve.
Call today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your options in your Uber accident case.
