Uber and Lyft Accidents in Missouri: Know Your Legal Rights
A motorcycle accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and…
Every day, thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers share Missouri roads with commuters, families, cyclists, and pedestrians. They’ve become part of everyday traffic, whether you’re heading to work, catching a flight, or simply driving across town.
But when an Uber or Lyft vehicle is involved in a crash, questions about liability and insurance make it more complicated and are not as straightforward as they would be in a typical car accident.
The answers depend on the facts of the accident. Knowing how these cases work can make it easier to understand your rights and the options available after a rideshare accident.
Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Missouri
After a rideshare accident, you want one quick answer: Who’s responsible? The first step is figuring out what actually caused the crash.
- Was the rideshare driver distracted while looking at the app?
- Did another driver run a red light?
- Did both drivers contribute to what happened?
The answers to those questions show who may be legally responsible and which insurance claim comes next.
In Missouri, liability is based on the circumstances of the accident. Depending on the evidence, responsibility may rest with the Uber or Lyft driver, another motorist, or even be shared between multiple parties. Once liability is established, it’s easier to determine which insurance coverage may apply.
How Does Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Work
Once you’ve figured out who caused the accident, the next question is, whose insurance covers your injuries?
Unlike a typical car accident, the answer often depends on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing in the app when the crash happened.
Uber and Lyft are classified as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) under Missouri law. As a result, different insurance coverage may apply depending on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, or en route for pickup/dropoff.
Driver Is Offline
If the driver isn’t logged into the Uber or Lyft app, the rideshare company generally isn’t part of the claim. The accident is typically handled like any other Missouri car accident, with the driver’s personal auto insurance serving as the primary coverage.
Example: A driver finishes their last trip, logs out of the app, and heads home. If they’re involved in an accident during that drive, Uber or Lyft’s insurance generally doesn’t apply.
Driver Is Waiting for a Ride Request
Once the driver logs in to the app and is available to accept rides, the insurance status changes, even though no passenger is in the vehicle yet.
Missouri law requires minimum liability coverage during this period of:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Depending on the circumstances, the driver’s personal insurance may apply first, while Uber or Lyft’s contingent coverage may provide additional protection if needed.
Example: An Uber driver is waiting for their next ride request when they rear-end another vehicle. The available insurance coverage will depend on both the driver’s personal policy and the rideshare coverage required during this stage.
Driver Is Picking Up or Transporting a Passenger
Insurance coverage is generally at its highest once the driver has accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle.
During this period, Uber and Lyft typically provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for qualifying claims if their driver is responsible for the accident.
Example: Whether you’re riding in the Uber, driving another vehicle, or crossing the street as a pedestrian, the available rideshare coverage may be significantly different if the driver was actively completing a trip.
What Are Your Legal Rights After an Uber Or Lyft Accident
Uber or Lyft Passenger
Passengers are usually not responsible for causing a rideshare accident. If you’re injured during the trip, you may have the right to seek compensation regardless of whether the Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash or another motorist was at fault.
Depending on who was at fault and the driver’s status in the app, your claim may involve:
- The rideshare company’s insurance if the Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident.
- The other driver’s insurance if another motorist was responsible.
- Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses covered by law.
Drivers Involved in the Crash
If the rideshare driver caused the accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation through the available insurance coverage. If another driver caused the crash, your claim may follow a different path. In some situations, Missouri’s comparative fault rules may also come into play if responsibility is shared.
Pedestrians and Cyclists
If an Uber or Lyft driver strikes you while you’re walking or cycling, you may have the same right to pursue compensation as any other injured person.
As with other rideshare claims, the driver’s status in the app and the circumstances of the accident can affect the available insurance coverage, making it important to identify these details early in the claims process.
Get Help With Your Rideshare Accident Claim From Thompson Law
Because rideshare accident claims often involve multiple insurance policies and digital trip records, sorting through the insurance coverage and legal issues about the claim is not easy. Having an experienced attorney review your case early can help you avoid unnecessary delays.
At Thompson Law, we represent people injured in Uber and Lyft accidents across Missouri. Whether you were a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, we’ll handle the insurance process and work to recover the compensation you need. If you need a car accident attorney in St. Louis, contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQs
Get to a safe place first, then call 911 if anyone is hurt. Take photos of the vehicles, road, and accident scene. Get the driver’s information and note whether you were riding with Uber or Lyft. Even if you feel okay, consider getting checked by a doctor.
It depends on who caused the crash and what the driver was doing at the time. The driver’s personal insurance or the rideshare company’s coverage may apply. If another driver caused the accident, their insurance may be responsible instead.
Generally, Uber provides insurance coverage when a driver is actively carrying a passenger. The amount of coverage can depend on the circumstances of the accident.
If you were injured, do not assume the insurance process will be simple. There may be multiple insurance policies involved.
Yes, Lyft provides insurance coverage for certain accidents while a driver is transporting a passenger. The coverage available can depend on what happened and the driver’s status at the time of the crash.
If you were hurt, document the accident and your medical treatment. This can become important when dealing with insurance companies.
You may still have a claim, but waiting to get medical care can make things harder. An insurance company may question how serious your injuries are or whether they came from the accident.
If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, getting checked sooner is usually the safer move.
