St. Louis Lyft Accident Lawyer

Victims of St. Louis Lyft car accidents may find it more difficult to recover compensation compared to a traditional automotive collision. Liability in a rideshare accident depends on many factors, including fault and the status of the rideshare driver in the Lyft app at the time of the crash.  

Rideshare companies in Missouri try to minimize liability by classifying a Lyft driver as an independent contractor rather than as an employee. However, insurance coverage is typically available to help cover your medical bills and lost wages.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are devoted to securing the maximum compensation for clients involved in Lyft accidents. Our experienced legal team has a proven history of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts in rideshare accident cases. 

We conduct thorough investigations to ensure all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully addressed. Our deep expertise in Lyft accident claims allows us to navigate the complexities effectively and fight tirelessly for your rights. 

How Our St. Louis Lyft Accident Attorneys Can Help

Determining liability when a Lyft accident occurs isn’t always easy. A St. Louis Lyft car accident attorney can help navigate your case in the following ways:

• Explore all compensation options: Financial responsibility in a Lyft accident depends on liability and the driver’s status in the app at the time of the accident. A St. Louis Lyft car accident lawyer can help explore your legal options and choose the best route to pursue compensation.
• Expert case consultation: Our legal team works closely with you throughout your injury claim, offering expert case consultation. We offer a free case evaluation so you can explore your legal options free of obligation.
• Collect evidence to build a strong case and minimize liability: The Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers team works hard to collect the necessary evidence to build a strong case. Whether filing insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits, we help our clients collect the compensation they need for recovery.
• Negotiate settlement offers: Our St. Louis Lyft accident attorneys communicate and negotiate with the insurance and rideshare companies to protect your legal rights. We’ll negotiate your personal injury claim to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
• Court representation: If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, our St. Louis Lyft accident lawyers will prepare to take your case to trial. Our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in liability coverage and rideshare laws in Missouri, providing you with the court representation you need.

You deserve to recover compensation following a Lyft accident. Whether the Lyft driver or another driver on the road is responsible for your injuries, it’s only right you receive the compensation you need to seek medical treatment and to cover lost wages. Professional legal representation can also help improve the chances of success for Lyft accident claims.

A Lyft Accident Claim Is Different From a Car Accident Claim

Seeking compensation in a Lyft accident can be more difficult than in a traditional car accident. Lyft drivers are independent contractors, which means they don’t undergo extensive hiring practices or training protocols before working for the company. 

The driver’s status in the rideshare app at the time of the accident also determines who is responsible for your damages. While Lyft covers its drivers under a company policy, it doesn’t apply to all situations. Liability insurance coverage may also be available through your own policy, but this isn’t always the case.

A St. Louis Lyft accident law firm may benefit your personal injury case if the other driver is denying liability or the Lyft driver wasn’t appropriately covered. A St. Louis Lyft accident injury lawyer may also be valuable to your case if Lyft’s liability coverage policy denies you sufficient coverage for your damages.

Our St Louis car accident lawyers help injured St. Louis clients navigate their Lyft injury claims, ensuring we determine liability and get the compensation the injured victim deserves.

Damages a St. Louis Lyft Accident Attorney From Our Team Can Help You Recover

Compensation for both economic and non-economic damages is available in a Lyft accident claim. Punitive damages may also be available in some Lyft accidents. Here are a few of the damages a Lyft accident attorney can help you recover in your case:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Wrongful death
• Rehabilitation costs
• Loss of enjoyment
• Property damages

A personal injury case often involves both financial and non-financial consequences. Our Lyft accident attorneys aim to recover the compensation you deserve to cover both.

While roadway fatalities in general are slowly decreasing in St. Louis,  this doesn’t mean wrongful death injury claims are non-existent [1]. In cases of wrongful death, eligible family members can pursue compensation for burial and funeral expenses.

The Value of Your Lyft Accident Claim

Every Lyft accident is different, so there isn’t a standard settlement amount you can expect. Instead, the compensation available for your Lyft car accident depends on the following factors:

• Evidence available: The amount of evidence available can determine the value of your Lyft accident case. Ample evidence, like photographs or witness statements, can help prove negligence and, thus, liability.
• Liability: Liability can also factor into the value of your Lyft accident. Different compensation options may be available based on whether the Lyft driver, other driver, or company is responsible.
• Comparative negligence: Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state, which means even those who are partially to blame for an accident can seek compensation for damages.
• Severity of the injuries: The severity of your injuries and the current and expected cost of medical expenses can affect the value of your case. Injured victims with recurrent medical bills or permanent disability will typically qualify for more than those with short-term, temporary injuries.
• Earnings and income potential: The value of lost wages and earning potential also factor into the value of your case.
• Short- and long-term impacts: The short and long-term impacts of Lyft accidents can vary, depending on the details of the accident and the sustained injuries. Long-term injuries can also lead to more psychological impacts, which can increase the value of a personal injury case.

Experienced Lyft accident attorneys can explore the details of your personal injury case and determine its value.

Insurance Coverage for Lyft Accidents

Insurance coverage should be available following a Lyft accident. However, the specific insurance company responsible for your damages will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the Lyft accident.

If a Lyft driver is at fault for an accident when they’re not active in the app, Lyft will not cover any damages under their company policy. The Lyft driver’s personal insurance company should cover any damages in this case.

Lyft’s insurance policy covers drivers and riders when the app is on and when the driver is available for rides. However, compensation is limited to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

Lyft’s insurance policy also covers active drivers who are en route to pick up or drop off a passenger. During active rides, injured victims are subject to a maximum of $1,000,000 in damages compensation. 

If another driver is responsible for the damages, compensation also may not be available through Lyft’s insurance policy. Instead, injured victims would seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

Leading Causes of Lyft Accidents in St. Louis, Missouri

Rideshares can be a safer alternative in some driving situations, but that doesn’t mean they’re without risk. Missouri doesn’t currently track Lyft accident causes separately from other car accidents. However,  some of the leading causes of car accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, include the following:

• Distracted driving: Missouri enacted a Hands-Free Law in August 2023 to reduce the occurrence of distracted driving accidents [2].
• Driving under the influence: Impaired driving accounts for around 17% of traffic fatalities in Missouri each year [3].
• Fatigued driving: Driving while drowsy can contribute to an increased risk of causing or being involved in a car accident.
• Speeding: Speeding was the number one cause of fatal pedestrian crashes in St. Louis in 2023 [4]. These numbers show that speeding among drivers is a common occurrence.
• Inclement weather: Inclement weather can impair drivers’ braking capabilities and lead to more car crashes.

In general, St. Louis, Missouri, has a higher rate of car accidents than the national average [5]. Consumer Affairs rates St. Louis with a 47.4 crash score, which is fifth in the United States.

Common Injuries Among Lyft Accident Victims

Drivers and passengers can experience a wide range of injuries in a rideshare accident, including the following:

• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Concussion
• Back or neck injury 
• Traumaitc brain injury (TBI)
• Whiplash
• Permanent scarring
• Temporary or permanent disability

Both short- and long-term injuries typically require immediate medical attention, which can be costly. Additionally, injured victims may find it difficult to return to work. Our St. Louis Lyft accident lawyers can help you recover the financial compensation you need to recover.

What to Do After a Lyft Accident in St. Louis, MO

If you ever find yourself involved in a Lyft accident in St. Louis, Missouri, make sure you protect your overall well-being and legal options by following these steps:

• Call 911: Never leave the scene of the accident. Call 911 and report the accident. Wait for the St. Louis Police to arrive and file an official police report.
• Gather evidence: Gather time-sensitive evidence when possible. Photographs, videos, and a copy of the police report may all be beneficial to your case.
• Exchange information with witnesses: Exchange contact information with any witnesses on scene who can attest to what happened. This may include the Lyft driver, other drivers, or nearby pedestrians.
• Receive medical care: Receive immediate medical attention following a crash. Some severe medical issues may not show up until later.
• Notify the insurance company: Contact the insurance company and report the accident within your provider’s timeline. For many Missouri providers, you have just 30 days to report an accident.
• Notify Lyft of the accident: Lyft drivers and passengers should report the accident to Lyft within 12 hours. However, the sooner, the better.
• Contact a St. Louis Lyft rideshare accident attorney: Contact a St. Louis Lyft rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible. Strict Missouri time limits require prompt legal action. A lawyer can help navigate your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Legal Liability for Lyft Rideshare Accidents

Liability insurance covers injured victims based on a determination of who is the at-fault party. When a Lyft accident occurs, any of the following could be liable for damages.

Lyft Driver

Lyft drivers are independent contractors, meaning the rideshare company itself can’t be responsible when an accident occurs. However, Lyft does cover its drivers with insurance as long as they’re active in the app at the time of the accident.

Other Drivers

Other drivers on the road can also be negligent, which would make them at fault when an accident occurs. If another driver on the road is responsible, injured victims can seek compensation from their insurance company. 

If the at-fault driver didn’t have insurance or was under-insured at the time of the accident, then compensation may be available through a third-party personal injury lawsuit.

Product Manufacturers

Defective products can also lead to a Lyft accident. Poorly designed vehicle parts or defective tires, for example, could result in an accident. In this case, the product’s manufacturer could be liable for damages. Injured rideshare drivers or passengers could seek compensation through a product liability claim.

Filing a Claim vs Settling

Many Lyft accidents are settled outside of court simply because it saves everyone involved time and money. However, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is prepared to take your Lyft accident to court if you don’t receive a fair settlement.

The settlement offer you receive from the rideshare company may not be the same as what you might receive when working with a St. Louis rideshare accident lawyer. Lyft accident lawyers have experience navigating Missouri laws and ensuring injured victims receive fair compensation. Our Lyft accident lawyers negotiate on your behalf, increasing the chances of a fair settlement.

Of course, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers also has extensive trial experience. While a settlement may make sense in many Lyft accident cases, it may not be the best option for yours. Scheduling a free consultation with our legal team today is the best way to find out your legal options following an accident.

Cost of Hiring a St. Louis Lyft Accident Attorney

Rideshare accidents can put you in a difficult financial position. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. We also offer a free consultation, allowing you to learn more about your legal options without obligation. Call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today for your free initial consultation.

Contact Our Experienced Lyft Accident Attorneys Today!

Rideshare drivers aren’t held to the same standards as other public transportation professionals, which can sometimes lead to more Lyft accidents. If you were injured in a Lyft accident, it’s only right you collect the compensation you need to recover. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works closely with rideshare drivers and passengers to ensure they receive a fair settlement. Our legal team is here to help you navigate the complexities of Missouri’s rideshare laws.

Contact our law firm today for a free consultation at (888) 424-5757. You can also fill out our online form to have a personal injury lawyer contact you.

Resources: [1] Missouri Department of Transportation, [2] Missouri Department of Transportation, [3] Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, [4] Trailnet, [5] Consumer Affairs