Chesterfield Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Chesterfield Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are very popular in Missouri and throughout the United States. However, if you use any such service in the Chesterfield area, it is vital to know what to do if you experience an accident. Depending on the circumstances of the situation and how the accident happened, recovery of your losses could be very challenging. A Chesterfield rideshare accident lawyer will be an invaluable asset in this situation.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Chesterfield, MO Rideshare Accident Claims

The Cagle Law Firm offers client-focused legal counsel for all types of car accident claims in Chesterfield, including those involving rideshare vehicles. These accidents present unique legal issues for those affected due to the way the rideshare company auto insurance works after a crash involving one of their drivers. Depending on the timing of the incident, insurance coverage may vary, and it is possible to have more than one legal option for seeking compensation for your damages. Rideshare companies offer commercial coverage depending on the status of the driver. Additionally, individual drivers are required by law and rideshare companies to have state minimum auto insurance coverage.

When you choose The Cagle Law Firm to represent you, we can answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide valuable guidance for every stage of your case so you can approach the situation with confidence. We understand that your situation is daunting and confusing, and our goal is to help you feel more at ease about the potentially complex legal proceedings ahead of you as you seek to prove fault for your accident and recover fair compensation.

Our firm has successfully represented many past clients against the largest auto insurance carriers in Missouri, and we have also successfully resolved many personal injury claims for our clients throughout the Chesterfield area. Whatever your case entails, you can trust our team to listen to your story, investigate all possible coverage, and help you recover in the most expedient manner possible.

Proving Liability for a Rideshare Accident in Chesterfield

Before the victim of any type of vehicle accident can recover any compensation for their damage in Chesterfield, they must prove fault for the accident and identify the party or parties they believe to be responsible for their damages. This may seem more straightforward in some cases than others, but proving fault for any type of vehicle accident is likely to require multiple forms of physical and digital evidence.  It is important that a police report be completed at the crash site.  Never hesitate to call the police if you are involved in a crash even if you are only a passenger.  A crash report is especially important when you are a passenger in a rideshare.

Additional evidence can be helpful such as potential video footage from businesses near the crash scene and private dashcam video. You may also need to secure another driver’s cell phone records, vehicle computer data, and testimony from any witnesses who saw the accident happen. It is also possible for more than one party to bear fault for a vehicle accident.

Recovering Compensation with Rideshare Company Insurance

Rideshare companies employ average people with regular driver’s licenses to work as drivers for hire, picking up customers who request rides through the rideshare company’s app. Drivers for rideshare companies are not required to have commercial driver’s licenses and are often only required to have the state minimum auto insurance.  Once these services became popular, there was a great deal of controversy surrounding whether rideshare companies should be liable for their drivers’ actions and the accidents they cause.

Today, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are required to have auto insurance that functions at different coverage levels based on timing. Rideshare companies have commercial level insurance that usually begin with a minimum of a million dollars. If you are a passenger in a rideshare, then the status of the driver is engaged and not in between trips, therefore, if you are injured as a passenger in a rideshare, commercial coverage is likely to apply.

Rideshare drivers are required to have personal auto insurance that complies with Missouri’s minimum coverage requirements. If a rideshare driver causes an accident while they are not logged into their driver app, their own personal auto insurance will apply to the resulting damages. Once they have logged into their driver app, the first level of the rideshare company’s insurance policy will apply until they pick up a passenger.

If an accident occurs at this time because of the driver’s actions, their personal auto insurance will apply to the resulting damages, but the rideshare company’s first level of coverage can further compensate the victim for any damages the driver’s personal policy will not cover. Once the driver has picked up a passenger, the second level of the rideshare company’s insurance applies until they deliver the passenger to their destination. If you are a passenger in a rideshare, the driver is engaged in a trip and the commercial policy is engaged. Commercial insurance adjusters are often highly trained in devaluing or denying your claim very effectively. Involving an experienced commercial accident attorney from the beginning improves your outcome and frustration.

You should always contact an attorney so that records can be subpoenaed to determine the status of the ride and which coverage applies. It is often the difference between $50,000 and a million dollars in coverage, so it is significant.

What to Expect from Your Chesterfield Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Dealing with insurance companies after any accident can be tremendously difficult for anyone who does not have legal counsel advising them.  An insurance company will almost always look for a way to deny or devalue your claim, especially if a claimant does not have legal representation. Some will even attempt to take advantage of injured claimants’ situation, hoping to convince them to settle for a lowball offer out of desperation.

Rideshare companies’ insurance carriers will fight your claim, but a seasoned Chesterfield rideshare accident lawyer will ensure your claim is handled in good faith. Once the insurance company is notified that you have legal counsel, they will be more likely to process your claim honestly and expediently. Also, with the assistance of an attorney, you have recourse if the insurance carrier fails to do so. If and when they make a settlement offer your attorney will verify that it is suitable under the terms of the policy in question.

Success with a personal injury claim in Missouri will require clear proof of fault for the damages in question. Missouri personal injury law allows an injured plaintiff to seek full repayment of all economic losses as well as compensation for their pain and suffering.

Ultimately, recovering from serious injuries due to a rideshare accident in Chesterfield will likely require various interactions with difficult insurance claims adjusters, a careful review of the facts of the case to accurately determine the full scope of damages that may be claimed, and comprehensive legal support from an experienced attorney who can address the unique variables you face as you seek repayment of your losses.

You should not talk or negotiate with the insurance adjusters until you know the full extent of your injuries and have sought legal advice. Talking to an adjuster about your injuries throughout the process is a critical error that many make.  Individuals make this mistake for several reasons. One, they assume the insurance adjuster is there to help and be fair. Two, they assume the adjuster has to tell the truth. Three, individuals assume if you are transparent and honest with the adjuster, they will treat you fairly.  None of these assumptions are correct.  The insurance injury claim system is not set up by insurance carriers to work for your benefit.

It is always advisable to start your legal efforts to recover from a vehicle accident as soon as possible after the accident occurs. The team at The Cagle Law Firm has the professional resources, skills, and experience needed to handle the most challenging rideshare accident claims for clients in Chesterfield and surrounding communities of Missouri, and we are ready to leverage this experience in your case.

Ridesharing Accident FAQs

Q: Why Should I Hire a Chesterfield Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

A: You should hire a Chesterfield rideshare accident lawyer because recovery from this type of vehicle accident involving serious injuries will be more challenging than you expect. You may be forced to contend with multiple insurance companies and encounter resistance from insurance adjusters. A careful review of the facts by an experienced attorney may find multiple sources of insurance coverage and, an attorney will spare you those interactions with insurance adjusters

Q: What Is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth in Chesterfield?

A: The potential value of a rideshare claim in Chesterfield will vary based on the details of the situation and the severity of your injuries. If you are able to prove another party is directly responsible for your damages, it is possible to recover compensation for your immediate and future economic losses. In any personal injury case, the severity of the injury and the medical treatment required is what begins the evaluation of the worth of your case.  The second criterion when evaluating is the amount of insurance coverage available. If you are seriously injured, an attorney will want to attempt to make an injury claim against the rideshare company as they carry commercial coverage which far exceeds the state minimum that many passenger vehicles carry.

Q: Will I Win More Compensation if I Hire a Chesterfield Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

A: You are likely to secure more compensation if you hire a Chesterfield rideshare accident lawyer than you would likely obtain if you tried to handle your case on your own. Your attorney will be able to accurately identify all the various forms of compensation you are eligible to claim, and they will also know how to streamline your proceedings to maximize fair compensation

The team at The Cagle Law Firm understands the inherent complexity of rideshare accident cases and the various legal challenges you might encounter in your efforts to recover from this type of accident. You have a relatively limited time in which to pursue your recovery, and it is optimal to start this process right away. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chesterfield rideshare accident lawyer and learn more about the legal services we provide.