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An accident involving a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft in Kansas City, MO, introduces layers of questions not present in a standard car crash. You’re suddenly dealing with the driver, potentially another vehicle, and the rideshare company itself. A Kansas City, MO ridesharing accident lawyer understands how to handle these distinct challenges.
These cases hinge on which insurance policy applies: the driver’s personal policy, or one of the multiple policies held by the rideshare corporation?
The answer depends on the driver’s status at the exact moment of the crash. We know the specific questions to ask and the evidence needed to determine which company is responsible for covering your medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
If you have questions about what to do next, we are here to provide clarity. Call us for a no-cost case review at (312) 410-8496.
For over 60 years, our firm has focused on representing individuals who have been seriously injured. We approach each case with the dedication it requires, understanding that the outcome could rewrite every aspect of life for our clients.
We treat our clients like family, providing direct and personalized attention. You will have a dedicated legal team that understands the stress and uncertainty you are feeling. Our goal is to manage the legal burdens so you are able to focus entirely on your recovery. We believe in clear communication, ensuring you are informed and confident at every stage of the process.
The accident has left you with medical bills, lost wages, and pain. The goal of a personal injury claim is to secure financial compensation to cover these losses. But what does that compensation include?
We pursue the maximum compensation available under Missouri law, which is typically divided into three categories:
These are the tangible, verifiable financial losses you have incurred. Think of them as the exact dollars and cents lost because of the accident.
These losses are more subjective but just as real. They compensate you for the human impact of the accident.
Missouri uses a “pure comparative fault” system. This is a legal rule that means your compensation may be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault for the accident. Insurance companies investigate accidents to find any evidence that might shift more blame onto you. Our role is to build a strong case that accurately represents what happened and protects you from being assigned an unfair percentage of fault.
Rideshare drivers often travel through the busiest and most congested parts of a city, which naturally increases the risk of an accident. In Kansas City, certain intersections and highways are known hotspots for collisions due to high traffic volume, complex interchanges, and frequent stops.
Data shows that the leading causes of crashes in the KC region are driver-related. These include distracted driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and failure to yield. Rideshare drivers, who rely on an app for directions and ride requests, could be particularly susceptible to distraction.
While accidents happen anywhere, police and traffic data point to several areas with a higher frequency of crashes. We often see accidents occur at:
Unlike a crash between two private drivers, a rideshare accident involves a third major party: a multi-billion dollar corporation like Uber or Lyft. The core of the issue lies in determining which insurance policy is active at the time of the crash. Missouri law has specific requirements for rideshare companies.
The applicability of insurance coverage is broken down into distinct periods:
Rideshare companies and their insurers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine which period the driver was in. Their financial interests are best served if they argue the driver was offline or in a period with lower coverage limits.
Our job is to gather the necessary evidence, such as app data, witness statements, and cell phone records, to prove the driver’s status and ensure the correct, and typically much larger, insurance policy is held accountable.
After an accident, you will likely be contacted by an adjuster from the rideshare company’s insurance carrier. It is important to remember that these insurers are businesses. They must balance paying legitimate claims with their own financial profitability. This creates a natural conflict of interest.
Our role is to handle all communications with the insurance companies on your behalf. We ensure they have the information they need to evaluate your claim fairly, but we also protect you from tactics that could weaken your position. We keep them accountable and make sure no amount of blame is unjustly shifted onto you.
While we handle the legal work, there are several steps to take from home to help document the accident’s impact on your life This information can be very helpful in building a strong claim.
In these multi-vehicle accidents, we would investigate to determine the fault of all drivers involved. It’s possible to file claims against the insurance policies of both the at-fault driver and the rideshare company, depending on the circumstances.
Generally, rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees. This could make it difficult to hold the company directly liable for the driver’s actions. However, there may be instances of company negligence, such as if they failed to conduct a proper background check on a driver with a known history of dangerous driving.
If you were a passenger, your primary claim would be against the at-fault driver’s insurance. However, if that driver is uninsured or their policy limits are too low to cover your injuries, you may be able to make a claim under the rideshare company’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) policy.
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is five years from the date of the accident. While that seems like a long time, it is important to act much sooner. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and building a strong case takes time.
No, but it’s useful for your claim as a piece of evidence. It provides an official account of the accident scene, identifies the parties involved, and often includes the officer’s initial assessment of how the crash occurred.
You are recovering from a serious event and do not need the added burden of fighting a legal battle against corporate insurance companies. Let our team manage the details and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us now at (312) 410-8496.
