Hazelwood Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Hazelwood Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Motor vehicle accidents can happen for many different reasons and involve numerous types of vehicles. Due to the greater use of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, accidents are more likely to involve these drivers. Whether you are a rideshare passenger, driver, or a third-party driver, a Hazelwood Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you protect your rights after an accident.

The Cagle Law Firm: Helping You Recover from a Rideshare Collision

Dealing with a rideshare commercial insurance carrier can be difficult, particularly when you are injured. An attorney can help. These insurers have a lot of resources at their disposal and use those to limit their costs. The guidance and advocacy of the right attorney can mitigate these tactics and secure the compensation you are owed. At The Cagle Law Firm, we have worked in personal injury law for decades, and we know how to deal with commercial carriers.

Liability and pursuing compensation in a car accident becomes more complex when rideshare drivers and passengers are involved. Our team has navigated these cases often and can help you review your options for compensation. We fight for your full and fair compensation from these greedy insurance companies.

Determining Fault in a Rideshare Collision

You must prove that someone is liable for your injuries to recover compensation for those injuries. To prove that a party was at fault, you must prove that they owed you a duty of reasonable care, they breached that duty, their breach led to the accident, and the accident resulted in your injuries and recognizable losses. The duty of care that a driver owes to another motorist is the “highest degree of care” which means that “degree of care that a very careful or prudent person would exercise in the same or similar circumstance”.

Proving these elements requires your attorney to determine the cause or causes of the crash so that you can hold the appropriate insurer liable. Most vehicle accidents are caused by the negligence of a driver. You can pursue compensation through their insurance carrier.

However, rideshare accidents differ from typical passenger vehicle crashes because rideshare companies carry commercial level insurance coverage. If, as a passenger, you were injured in a rideshare accident caused by another driver, you can make a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance and the rideshare company’s insurance.

An attorney has the experience and resources to build a case for fault in a motor vehicle crash. They can investigate your accident and use available evidence such as witness testimony, photos and physical evidence from after the crash, medical documentation, police reports, and expert testimony. This information can help show whether one of the drivers was at fault or if another party’s insurer can be held liable, such as a manufacturer or mechanic.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Many of the same causes of any motor vehicle accident can also cause rideshare accidents. Some of these include:

• Distracted driving. This includes actions that prevent a driver from looking at the road or pulling their focus from the task of driving. This includes texting, talking, and managing a GPS or music system. Rideshare drivers may be more prone to this due to checking directions on their navigation system. Missouri’s new Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law went into effect in 2023, however, law enforcement will begin enforcing this law in January 2025 through citations.
• Fatigued driving. Driving fatigued is incredibly dangerous. It limits the driver’s ability to react quickly. Drivers may even fall asleep at the wheel, which can lead to catastrophic head-on collisions.
• Speeding. Speeding increases the risk of accidents because drivers have less time to react. Crashes at high speeds result in higher impact and more serious injuries and fatalities. Driving too fast for road conditions is also dangerous.
• Vehicle malfunctions. The failure or malfunction of important car parts can lead to a crash. This includes brakes, tires, suspension, and even windshield wipers. These malfunctions may be the result of a driver failing to get maintenance, poor maintenance completed by a mechanic, or the failure of a manufacturer to create a safe product.
• Driving under the influence. Being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes an accident much more likely. The offender can face criminal charges as well as civil cases.

You may not always know the cause of a crash as a passenger or if you were unconscious after the crash. As a passenger, you do not actually have a duty to pay attention to traffic This is why the representation of an attorney is so important.

FAQs About Hazelwood, MO Uber and Lyft Accident Laws

What Should You Do if Your Lyft or Uber Driver Gets into an Accident?

If your Uber or Lyft driver gets in an accident in Hazelwood, the first thing you should do is call 911 and report the accident to emergency responders. If you are aware of any injuries, you should report them. When emergency responders arrive, you and all others in the accident should receive medical care and provide information to the officers for a police report. Reporting the accident is crucial when you are a rideshare passenger, or else it makes it more challenging to recover compensation. Anytime you are a passenger in a collision, you cannot always rely on the driver to call the police or make a report.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover from an Uber Accident?

How much compensation you can recover from an Uber or other rideshare accident depends on how serious your injuries are, among other factors. The compensation you recover can also rely on the skill of your legal representative and the strength of the available evidence supporting your case.

What Is the Rideshare Policy on Accident Injuries?

The rideshare policy for accident injuries is that the commercial carrier coverage is likely to apply in the following situations:

• You were a third-party driver who was in a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver who was working and was at fault.
• You are a rideshare driver in an accident while you were working.
• You are a passenger in a rideshare in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

The amount of commercial coverage differs depending on whether the driver has a passenger, is on their way to pick up a passenger, or is in between rides.

How Long After a Rideshare Accident Can You Pursue a Case?

After a rideshare accident, you can pursue a case within five years after the accident occurs. It’s important to act quickly after a collision, ensuring there is a police report of the accident and that you get in contact with a rideshare accident attorney.

Early action helps you secure the most evidence possible and improves the chances of a successful case. Working with an attorney also ensures you are aware of the statute of limitations. If you miss the statute of limitations, you can be barred from compensation.

Contact Skilled Accident Attorneys in Hazelwood Today

Insurance carriers do not have your best interests in mind. Before you discuss your situation with a commercial insurer, you need to protect your rights. The Cagle Law Firm can help you. Contact our firm today to learn how we can help after a rideshare accident.