St. Louis Uber/Taxi Accident Lawyer
In recent years, Uber and other ride-sharing companies have gained popularity in St. Louis County, significantly reducing the market share of taxi companies and public transportation. The Uber app has become the most common form of hired transportation, with taxis following closely behind. However, with the increase in ride-sharing services, there has also been a rise in ride-sharing related accidents.
Request a Ride: Understanding Common Carriers in St. Louis County
According to St. Louis County and Missouri law, common carriers refer to modes of transportation that are more public in nature. These include buses, Metrolink, taxis, Uber, Lyft, airport shuttles, and any other type of transportation open to the general public. Common carrier laws raise the standard of care for drivers. This means that in the event of an accident, the plaintiff may have to prove less than if the crash involved a non-common carrier vehicle.
What to Do Immediately After an Uber Accident
Being involved in an Uber accident can be a difficult experience. Let’s check out a few of the immediate things you should do if you are involved in an Uber accident in St. Louis:
- Check to see if anyone is injured: after the accident, be sure to check and make sure nobody is severely injured. If there are injuries, encourage them to get treated on the scene.
- Call the police: Call the police as soon as the accident occurs. The police will secure the scene and make sure that you are safe. They will also provide you with a police report, which is solid evidence to use in your case.
- Get the insurance information of the other driver: it’s critical that you get the other driver’s insurance information with their name, insurance company, policy number, and the insurance company’s phone number.
- Evidence from the scene: it’s important to get as much evidence from the scene as possible, such as pictures and videos from the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, debris, and any other evidence that could be important to your case.
- Don’t admit fault: It’s important not to discuss the accident at the scene. And if you do anything, NEVER admit fault. If you believe the other driver is at fault, you may tell the police officer who responded to the scene; however, if you are not sure who is at fault, it is best to decline to provide a statement.
- Seek medical attention: it is critical to seek medical attention, even if you do not notice any immediate injuries. They might appear later on and require treatment. This can also come in handy when it comes to negotiation and litigation of your case, as it serves as evidence that you were treated for potential injuries.
How Can a St.Louis Uber Accident Lawyer Help?
When determining who is liable for an injury in a car accident, it is often difficult to determine fault; however, when it involves an Uber driver, the legal landscape gets a bit more complicated.
First, Uber drivers are not employees, rather, they are independent contractors, which makes determining liability a bit more difficult. This further complicates itself if multiple drivers are involved. The insurance companies of these other drivers will have attorneys at the ready to diminish your claim, which is why it is so important to have a trusted St. Louis Uber accident attorney by your side throughout the entire process.
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, get in touch with Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, as we have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you with your claim, and get you the justice you deserve.
What Can Mutrux Firm Do for You?
When you trust Mutrux Firm with your Uber accident case in St. Louis, you will be awarded peace of mind, knowing that an experienced attorney is by your side throughout the entire process. When you hire Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, you can focus on your recovery, while we fight for your rights.
When You Hire Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, We Help our Clients By:
- Filing suit before the statute of limitations expires
- Investigate the accident to determine all liable parties
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- If we cannot settle, we will take your case to litigation, and fight for your rights in court
At Mutrux Firm, we believe everyone deserves legal representation, regardless of our client’s ability to pay. Therefore, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win!
If you have been in a ride-sharing accident, it is essential to work with an experienced St. Louis County Uber/taxi accident lawyer. They can help you file an insurance claim and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies may delay or deny claims, but a trusted attorney can show that you are persistent in pursuing your case. Contact a St. Louis County Uber/Taxi lawyer today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.
Uber Service and Taxi Cabs: The Difference in Liability
A car crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver or taxi driver is significantly different than that involving a private individual. As a plaintiff, you have less to prove because the standard of care is higher for common carriers such as Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers. Insurance claims for an Uber or Lyft crash are typically handled through the company and the driver, while claims involving private individuals are handled through the driver’s insurance company.
Background Checks: Proving Liability in a Ride-Sharing Injury Claim
In a ride-sharing injury claim, the party responsible for paying for the damages depends on the contract between the driver and the company. In most cases involving Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers, the company is responsible for paying for the damages. However, these cases can quickly become complex and should be handled by a knowledgeable St. Louis County Uber/taxi accident lawyer from the start.
How Is Fault Determined in a St. Louis Uber Accident Case?
When a rideshare driver is involved in an accident, it further complicates an already difficult situation. When a rideshare driver is involved in an accident, there could be a number of parties at fault, such as the driver themselves, another driver not affiliated with the rideshare service, and even Uber itself. In our experience in dealing with these cases, it is usually a third-party driver who is at-fault, not the Uber driver themselves.
What are Some Common Causes of Uber Accidents?
Throughout our experience in dealing with these types of cases, we have noticed a trend that most Uber accidents in St. Louis are caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Following too closely
- Texting while driving
In the event that the responding officer did not issue any citations at the scene to the at-fault driver, they could still be found at fault through litigation. In Missouri, the doctrine of comparative negligence is used, therefore, even if your Uber driver was partially at-fault, you could still receive a share of the compensation awarded.
What Damages Am I Entitled To?
If you were involved in an Uber accident in St. Louis, there are quite a few damages that you might be entitled to, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Punitive Damages
- Wrongful death
it is important to have a dedicated lawyer by your side throughout the entire process and to make sure that you receive the justice that you deserve. This is where the attorneys at Mutrux Firm come into play to help you negotiate with the insurance company while you recover from your injuries.
What are The Liability Insurance Requirements for Uber Drivers?
Uber drivers in Missouri have to have a personal insurance policy in order to drive for them. Uber provides their drivers with commercial coverage of up to $1 million if they are in an accident while logged onto the app. However, this is why it is important to have an attorney, as fault for the accident might be a bit more difficult to determine fault due to the nature of how rideshare services operate. There are a few instances where things get a little complicated:
- If the Uber driver was offline
- If the Uber driver was at-fault, was online, but not carrying any passengers
- The Uber driver was on their way to pick up a passenger
On Average, What Is My Uber Accident Case Worth?
It is difficult to determine what your Uber accident case is worth, as it depends on a variety of different circumstances, such as the severity of injuries, property damage, and emotional distress. Your attorney will be able to better determine value during the initial consultation.
Uber Accident in St. Louis? Contact Mutrux Firm Today!
Now that you know more about how your St. Louis Uber accident case will be handled, you know how important it is to have a dedicated lawyer by your side throughout the entire process. Luckily, Mutrux Firm is here to help you be your advocate, every step of the way. Give us a call at (888) 550-4026 or contact us here for more information.