Kansas City Rideshare Accidents Attorney

Rideshare services are an extremely popular mode of transport in the Kansas City metro area, but with a rise in Uber and Lyft drivers in Kansas City, MO, unsurprisingly, more and more crashes are being reported every week involving Uber and Lyft vehicles.

These car accidents often cause personal injury to not only Uber and Lyft drivers but their passengers, pedestrians as well as drivers and passengers in third-party vehicles. As a result, car accident claims from Uber drivers, Lyft drivers, and their passengers are on the rise.

Being involved in a car accident of any kind can be stressful but, often, those involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle do not know what their legal rights are or what compensation they are entitled to.

This is where our lawyers at Wendt Law can help. Our team is ready and waiting to advise you with a free consultation if you find yourself in an Uber or Lyft accident.

What You Should Know About Uber, Lyft, and Other Rideshare Companies

One of the most difficult aspects of a Uber and Lyft accident is the way these companies classify their drivers. Rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors, meaning that they are not always responsible for the conduct of their drivers.

In Missouri, it is the law that all injury claims must first be filed against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, but this is complicated when it comes to rideshare accidents. This is because whilst the driver must have their own personal liability coverage, companies like Uber and Lyft will also have their own commercial insurance, offering much higher coverage.

These large corporations may try to deny claims arising from an accident involving their motor vehicles by putting the responsibility on the rideshare driver and, therefore, the individual policy of the driver.

However, what most people don’t know is that if a rideshare driver accepts a passenger through the app, the rideshare company’s commercial insurance coverage is automatically in effect.

Given how complex insurance claims involving accidents with rideshare vehicles are, it’s vital that you consult with a lawyer as soon as possible following a car accident with a rideshare vehicle.

Have You Been in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Kansas City?

If you are an Uber passenger or use other rideshare services, you expect to feel safe knowing that you will be protected by these large corporations should the worst happen.

However, many people involved in Uber and Lyft accidents in Kansas City don’t know where to turn when the unexpected happens. If you’re involved in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you could be entitled to compensation.

Wendt Law offers a free consultation to all Kansas City Uber and Lyft drivers and anyone who has been involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, whether you are a passenger or driver of a third-party vehicle.

Are You a Passenger Involved in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Kansas City?

If you are an Uber or Lyft passenger who has been in an accident whilst traveling in one of their vehicles, you may have suffered damages.

Uber and Lyft accidents are, unfortunately, becoming increasingly common, but the good news is that these big corporations do have insurance coverage should car accidents arise.

However, these large insurance companies often utilize an aggressive legal team who works in the best interests of the business. They will try to limit their liability and reduce their payouts in several ways.

What To Do If You’re a Passenger in an Uber or Lyft Accident

So many accident victims miss out on the compensation they deserve because they do not know their rights following an accident involving a ride-share company.

Following this advice, while on the scene of the accident, may help your case when it comes to filing a lawsuit against a rideshare company.

Stay Calm

Most people’s first reaction when they are in a car accident is to panic, but staying as calm as you can in the situation will help you think clearly and ensure you follow the right steps.

Collect Information

One of the most important things to do if you’re in an Uber accident is to take down as many details as you can on the scene, providing your injuries allow you to do so. Take a photo of the registration number of the vehicle, note down the name of the Lyft or Uber driver and see if there are any witnesses to the crash.

Seek Medical Treatment

You should seek medical treatment if you’ve been in a Lyft or Uber accident. It is very important to receive medical attention, even if you do not notice any injuries at the time of the incident, as this can help with your claim if medical issues related to the accident arise later.

Get in Touch With a Lawyer at Wendt Law

For the best chances of receiving fair and reasonable compensation after being involved in a Lyft or Uber accident, you should speak to a legal professional as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your case and determine whether you have the grounds to make a claim.

Our legal team can support you as you undertake the task of seeking fair compensation for the medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages you have incurred as a result of the accident.

Are You an Uber or Lyft Driver Who Has Been Involved in a Kansas City Car Accident?

Uber drivers and Lyft drivers are more likely to be involved in a car accident than a normal driver.

As an independent contractor, if you are involved in an accident on the way to a job for Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to claim compensation on the company’s corporate insurance coverage, rather than your own.

What To Do If You’re an Uber or Lyft Driver Who Has Been Injured in a Car Crash

If you’ve been in an accident in Kansas City, MO, it is a good idea to contact a law firm that has experience in personal injury law. Whether you are the at-fault party or not, you may still be entitled to seek compensation.

A personal injury lawyer at Wendt Law can provide a free case evaluation and will advise you on whether you are entitled to make a personal injury claim.

The attorney-client relationship is extremely important to us; we take personal injury claims very seriously and will fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation, including costs to cover medical bills.

What an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer From Wendt Law Can Do To Help

Whether you work for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service, obtaining representation from an attorney here at Wendt Law is a smart decision. We can help you:

Establish Liability

Sometimes it’s uncertain which party is at fault in an accident. We will look at police reports and other evidence to determine fault and will investigate on your behalf. Using your evidence and the evidence we uncover, we will attempt to establish liability.

Hold the Rideshare Company to Account

Though drivers are independent contractors, typically rideshare companies like Uber insure their drivers with $1 million in accident coverage. This means that in the eventuality you have suffered as a result of an accident, their coverage should be more than enough to cover both your economic and non-economic damages.

What Can Cause a Rideshare Accident in Kansas City?

While car accidents are extremely common, rideshare accidents have also begun to become more common. There are several factors that widely contribute to Uber and Lyft drivers getting into accidents with pedestrians, bicyclists and other motor vehicles. Reasons for rideshare accidents include:

Speeding
Inexperience
Distracted Driving, such as texting while driving or adjusting the radio
Driving while under the influence
Driving while drowsy or fatigued
Reckless driving
Tailgating
Running red lights
Driving a poorly maintained vehicle

If a negligent rideshare driver caused your Uber or Lyft accident in Kansas City, the driver or the company could owe you compensation. Rideshare companies have a unique way of dealing with accident and injury claims. Your claim may go to the individual driver’s insurance company first, then to the rideshare company’s insurer for supplemental insurance. The lawyers at Wendt Law Firm P.C. can help you navigate the complicated insurance process after a rideshare accident.

How Do Uber and Lyft Handle Accident Claims?

Once you report your accident to the rideshare company, someone called an insurance claims adjuster will contact you for more information about the wreck. Be cautious in what you say to the insurance adjuster. Do not admit fault, for example, and do not say yes to giving a recorded statement. These are mistakes that could allow the insurance company to take advantage of you. If you do not feel confident talking to the insurance claims adjuster, a personal injury lawyer can do so for you.
Uber or Lyft may take responsibility for your accident if it or one of its drivers caused the crash. To be eligible for all or some of the $1 million coverage available, however, you will need to show that the ride was in one of three covered stages. Stage one is a rideshare driver logging into the app and actively searching for a rider. Stage two is the rideshare driver accepting a ride and driving to pick the passenger up. Stage three is the driver picking up the passenger and traveling to the destination.
Different insurance coverage amounts will apply to your rideshare accident case depending on the phase of the ride. If the Uber or Lyft driver was off-duty at the time of your collision, you will have to seek compensation from the individual driver’s insurance company rather than the rideshare company. Otherwise, Uber or Lyft may owe you full or partial compensation in addition to the driver’s personal policy. Our lawyers can help you navigate and prove your rideshare accident case in Kansas City.

What Injuries Can a Rideshare Accident Result in?

While being in a car accident has injuries it’s usually associated with, being injured in a rideshare accident can cause different injuries or injuries in different parts of the body due to a difference in position. As a passenger riding in the backseat of a vehicle, you could suffer injuries such as whiplash, a head injury from contact with the back of someone’s seat, a seatback failure injury, and severe internal injuries from wearing only a lap belt in the rear middle seat.
Injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and can even lead to wrongful death. It is important to hire an attorney if you have serious or life-altering injuries from a rideshare accident in Kansas City. Your claim could be worth more than an insurance company is offering. The lawyers at Wendt Law Firm P.C. can review your case and let you know how much it is worth during a free consultation.

Why Choose Us?

We have been recognized as one of the Top 50 Super Lawyers in Kansas City.
Our injury lawyers have used aggressive legal strategies to recover more than $100 million for clients.
We are passionate about personal injury law and always put our clients first.
We have exceptional trial skills and are not afraid to take Uber or Lyft to court.
We provide rideshare accident and car accident legal services on a contingency fee basis.

Book a Free Consultation at Wendt Law today!

If you have been involved in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you should get in touch with an attorney at Wendt Law immediately.

Our team of skilled personal injury lawyers is ready to spring into action. We can investigate on your behalf, speak to witnesses, and help you navigate the process.

When seeking compensation from the insurance giants behind large corporations, a skilled attorney can make a lot of difference and will provide you with the best chances of seeking fair and reasonable compensation.