uber accident

Here are a few steps you should take if an Uber or Lyft driver flees the scene of your car accident.

If you’re hit by an Uber or Lyft driver as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorist, and they flee the scene, what should you do? Let’s discuss a few steps you should take to get the best possible outcome for your case.

1. Call 911 Immediately

Fleeing from the scene of an accident in Missouri is a crime. You need to call 911 right away to get the police at the scene and file a police report about the incident. This will help establish a “paper trail” that will be very useful for your case.

2. Talk To Witnesses & Get Their Testimony 

If possible, it’s important to talk to witnesses and get their testimony, and convince them to stick around until the police arrive. Having multiple people back up the truth can help with your case.

This may also help establish whether or not the driver was an Uber or Lyft driver. For example, eyewitnesses may have noticed stickers or a glowing Uber or Lyft sign on the car’s dash. These are commonly used by Uber and Lyft drivers.  

You should also take any pictures that may help your case at this time, such as photos of car damage, paint that’s been transferred to your car, the environment where the accident happened, and so on. 

3. Contact an Attorney

The excellent news about Uber and Lyft hit-and-runs in Missouri is that, by law, all motorists are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which includes:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $10,000 per accident for property damage

Your limits may be higher, depending on your policy. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, your UI/UM policy will generally cover your costs. Before speaking with your insurance company, it is also a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney to ensure your legal right to compensation is being protected.

4. Report The Accident To Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft both offer services that allow you to report accidents caused by their drivers. This may help you identify the driver since both services generally collect information about where drivers are while using their apps. 

St. Louis Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Handling a rideshare car accident case in St. Louis is never easy – and it’s even more complex when it’s a hit-and-run. Don’t go it alone. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, our team of St. Louis Uber and Lyft auto accident attorneys are on your side and ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve after your accident. Contact us now for a free case review.

Here are 3 common myths about Uber accidents and how these claims are handled.

More and more people are using ride-sharing services in the US, with Uber being the market leader. Accidents involving Uber drivers are bound to happen since there are so many of them on the streets, but who covers the damages and what happens if you’re a victim are still unclear for many people.

Here are 3 common myths about Uber accidents and how these claims are handled.

Uber’s $1 million Insurance Will Always Get You a Huge Settlement

In its beginnings, Uber was not liable for accidents caused by its drivers because it claimed that they were independent workers, not employees per se. However, state legislation has changed in the meantime, and Uber now carries a $1 million insurance policy for every driver. This, however, doesn’t mean that the victims will always receive a huge settlement from the company or that they will be covered by it at all.

Uber’s insurance is a secondary policy, and the primary responsibility lies with the driver. Damages are generally covered by Uber only if the driver has an active ride in the app at the time of the accident. If an Uber driver causes an accident while circling, waiting for a client to search for a car, or even driving towards a client, the $1 million policy will generally not cover them. In fact, Uber drivers are more at risk in case of an accident because they might lose their personal auto insurance coverage if their insurance company decides that they were using the car for something other than personal use.

The Company Is Always Liable If You’re Hit by an Uber

As stated above, Uber’s policy will typically only cover the damages caused by an Uber driver if they were driving a passenger at the time of the accident. In any other situation, the driver’s own auto insurance will likely cover the damages. As you probably know, the basic auto policies required by law have rather low limitations. If your damage is substantial and you don’t carry underinsured motorist insurance coverage, you might have to sue the driver. 

Uber Drivers Are Not Covered by Company Insurance, Because They Are Independent Contractors

This is a myth that originated from the grey area of insurance coverage that was, in fact, very real when ride-sharing services were just started on the market. Nowadays, Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies are generally liable for the damage their drivers’ cause, even if they are not considered fully employed. 

Uber covers the following damages, depending on the situation:

• $50,000 per individual for bodily damage, when the driver’s app is active and they are waiting for a ride

• $100,000 per accident for bodily damage, when the driver’s app is active and they are waiting for a ride

• $1 million for bodily damage, when the driver has passengers who requested a ride through the app

If you have suffered injuries while riding in an Uber or because an Uber hit you, contact an experienced St. Louis Uber accident attorney who will be able to navigate these grey areas, protect your rights, and fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to. 

Here are some general steps to take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident with a St. Louis Uber driver.

Where car accidents are concerned, Missouri is a comparative fault state. This means that if all parties involved are partially responsible for the incident, then they are all liable for damages. Liability is based on the extent of each party’s fault.

This law generally applies to ridesharing car accidents as well. Therefore, if an Uber driver is at-fault, then his insurance company will generally be liable to shoulder the damages. Fortunately, the company pitches in if its driver is under-insured. If you have been involved in a St. Louis uber accident it’s a very good idea to discuss the specifics of your claim with a knowledgeable Uber accident lawyer.

What to Do After a Car Accident Involving an Uber Driver

In many ways, Uber drivers are just like every other driver. As such, they are subject to the same human errors that lead to car accidents. Sometimes, they are even more vulnerable to making mistakes if ridesharing is their part-time job in addition to a full-time job. In an effort to make more money they may even ignore certain traffic rules like speed limits.

These are the steps to take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident with an Uber driver:

1. Turn off your car engine until you establish the extent of damage your vehicle sustained. If there is a gas leak, a running engine can spark a fire.

2. Call the police. As a precautionary measure, store emergency numbers on your cell phone. Don’t wait until an accident like this happens.

3. Survey the scene for property damage and injuries. When either or both are present, exchange the following information with the other driver: Name, address, driver’s license number, vehicle identification numbers, insurance company name, and insurance policy number. Provide all of these to the police when they arrive.

4. Do not admit fault, but maintain politeness towards the other driver.

5. If possible, speak with eyewitnesses and get their contact information.

6. Take pictures of the scene from as many angles as possible.

7. Write a summary of the incident, including pertinent details like street names, estimated times, and traffic flow.

8. Call your insurance company or agent immediately to report the accident.

9. Speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Filing a Claim

If you are not responsible for the accident, you don’t need to file a claim with your own insurer. All damages, including medical bills if you are injured and car repair or replacement, should be paid for by the other driver’s insurer.

Therefore, your next step would be to file a claim with the insurance company. If you did your due diligence in collecting all the information enumerated above and work with an experienced attorney, you have a good chance of receiving the compensation you are entitled to.

If you sustained serious injury and vehicular damage, you should be compensated for all the expenses entailed. However, insurance companies are notorious for playing hardball. Again, this is another reason working with an attorney is the course of wisdom.

Our experienced Uber accident lawyers are ready and available to help you get the amount you deserve. We offer a free consultation so you can decide how to proceed.

If you’re the victim of a car accident, you are entitled to seek damages that will cover all your medical expenses, including those that have to do with mental and emotional distress.

However, when the other driver works for Uber, that can complicate matters quite a bit. Here’s how you can prove emotional and mental distress after an Uber accident.

Documenting Your Injuries Is Essential

In any car accident claim, with Uber or otherwise, it’s essential to start documenting your injuries as soon as possible, including those that have to do with your mental and emotional state. However, while a scar or bruise is visible to the naked eye, the mental toll of a car accident often goes unseen.

Watch out for these signs to see if the car accident has affected your mental health:

• Sleeplessness or insomnia
• Night terrors, especially that replay the car accident
• Fear of driving or travel
• Mood swings
• Angry outbursts
• Self-isolation
• Signs of depression or anxiety
• High levels of stress
• Even physical signs that you cannot explain, such as headaches, stomach pains, weight gain/loss, etc.

If you never experienced any of these signs before the car accident, and they only started appearing after the incident took place, there’s a high chance they were caused by the accident. 

Unfortunately, proving it is not exactly easy, which is why you need to document these changes as best as you can. Consider doing the following:

• Keeping a journal and trace down your moods, feelings, etc.
• Make note of incidents that feel out of character, such as an unexplained outburst
• Have friends and family monitor these changes as well, and write them down.

Benefits of Working With an Attorney

Going up against Uber in a car accident claim can be overwhelming, particularly when you’re trying to get compensated for mental and emotional distress. You should consider working with an experienced St. Louis Uber car accident lawyer for additional support.

In car accident claims, you need to prove fault, as well as showcase a clear connection between the car accident and the injuries you want to get compensated for. This is not always as simple as it seems, and in most cases, it can boil down to how well you present your case, and your ability to negotiate.

A lawyer with experience knows exactly how to navigate the process of Uber car accident claims, and can help by:

• Gathering evidence
• Bringing in experts to testify on your behalf
• Ensure the insurance company isn’t playing any tricks
• Negotiate a fair settlement

Speak With a St. Louis Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been the victim of an Uber car accident that has left you with emotional and mental distress, you are entitled to seek compensation that can help cover the costs of therapy. Get in touch with a St. Louis rideshare accident lawyer now for a case evaluation and additional support in navigating this process successfully.