Rideshare apps have revolutionized the way we get around. Whether it’s a quick trip around the corner or a ride to the airport, mobile apps like Uber and Lyft allow us to quickly hail a ride and get where we need to go.

However, rideshare isn’t without its share of dangers.

Uber and Lyft drivers take the majority of their rides when driving conditions are the worst. After all, we often take rideshare when we’d rather not drive: Heavy traffic, poor weather or late at night. Rideshare drivers must manage all of this, while always keeping one eye on their app and GPS.

What should you do if you are injured in a car crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft? After receiving medical attention, your next call should be to a St. Louis personal injury attorney.

Call the St. Louis rideshare accident lawyers at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse today for a no-cost evaluation of your case – 314-241-1919.

How a personal injury attorney can help you after an Uber accident in St. Louis

If you are injured in a car accident, the days and weeks after the accident can be difficult. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you might be dealing with medical bills, lost time from work and diminished quality of life.

With so much going on, seeking and obtaining compensation can be daunting.

Uber accidents often involve multiple parties, including the driver, the passengers and the rideshare company. Who is responsible for what, and how do you pursue compensation from them?

If you are injured in an Uber accident, your attorney can help you navigate the complicated legal process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

In addition to helping you file a claim against the at-fault driver, your attorney can also file a claim against the rideshare company. After all, these companies are in the business of transportation, and should be held accountable when their services lead to an injury.

Your attorney will handle the “heavy lifting” of your personal injury claim against the driver and rideshare company, working tirelessly to get you maximum compensation as quickly as possible and allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.

When you work with the St. Louis car accident attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, you can expect:

• Straightforward, honest communication about your case.
• Experienced advice on the best route forward as your case progresses.
• Thorough investigation of your accident, including police reports, medical records and traffic cameras to identify responsible parties and prove your claim.
• We’ll handle all of the communication with insurance companies, courts and opposing attorneys.

If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft auto accident, call the attorneys at NGK Law today for a free evaluation of your case – 314-241-1919.

How much compensation can I recover from an Uber accident in St. Louis?

Missouri does not have a cap on personal injury lawsuits. This means that you can seek damages for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering ⁠— regardless of the amount.

The damages you can recover can range from the thousands to millions, depending on the facts of the case and the extent of your injuries. These damages typically fall into two categories: Economic damages and non-economic damages.

What are economic damages?

Economic damages are those that can be quantified in terms of money. This can includes:

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Loss of property

What are non-economic damages?

Non-economic damages are those that cannot be quantified in terms of money. This can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

What is the statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit in an Uber accident in St. Louis?

In Missouri, there is a five-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. This means that you have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will be unable to seek damages for your injuries.

This deadline applies to all personal injury lawsuits, including those involving car accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and product liability.

If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. The attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve, and will make sure that all deadlines are met.

Call us today for a free case evaluation – 314-241-1919.

Common causes of rideshare accidents in St. Louis

Rideshare drivers are everyday people. They are not professional drivers and may not have the same level of experience or training as a taxi driver.

Under Missouri law, rideshare drivers must pass a criminal background check and have a clean driving record, but they do not need to take defensive driving courses or carry a commercial operator’s license.

As everyday people, rideshare drivers are often guilty of the same traffic violations as other drivers:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Failure to stop at a stop sign
• Running red lights
• Failure to yield
• Following too closely

Combine this with what we mentioned above — that rideshare drivers are often on the road for long stretches in unfavorable conditions — we see that Uber and Lyft drivers are often at a greater risk for car accidents than the population at large.

Common injuries resulting from rideshare accidents in St. Louis

Rideshare passengers sometimes don’t wear their seatbelts when sitting in the back seat, so common injuries resulting from Uber and Lyft accidents can include.

• Head injuries and concussions. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also be caused by a fall or a hit to the body that causes the head to whip back and forth.
• Chest and lung injuries. A chest injury can occur when a person is hit in the chest area, or when their body is thrown forward and their head snaps back.
• Spinal cord injury/whiplash. A spinal cord injury is a devastating injury that can cause paralysis and other serious health complications. The most common type of spinal cord injury is a whiplash injury, which is caused when the head and neck are whipped back and forth suddenly. This type of injury can damage the spinal cord and lead to permanent paralysis.
• Broken bones. This can be due to the force of the impact, or from being thrown against the car. Broken bones can take a long time to heal, and can often lead to chronic pain.
• Death. The most common cause of death in a car crash is head injury. A person can be killed instantly if they hit their head on something inside the car, such as the steering wheel or window.

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident involving a rideshare driver, it’s important to speak with a personal injury attorney about your options. Your attorney will be able to work with you to file insurance claims to get immediate payment to handle your medical bills and time away from work, and they will pursue compensation for you from the negligent driver.

Work with the skilled car crash attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse

As we mentioned above, the days and weeks after being injured in a car accident can be stressful. Not only are you managing your recovery from those injuries, you’re likely also juggling time away from work, medical bills and diminished quality of life.

While you focus on feeling better and recovering from your injuries, your attorney will work to recover the maximum possible compensation to cover those bills and lost income.

When it comes to hiring an attorney to represent you, there is no “one size fits all” best personal injury attorney. Some attorneys are stronger at certain types of cases, and others have deeper case histories in certain areas. When you interview lawyers, make sure to ask about their history in handling cases like yours. Do they have a proven track record of success, or do they specialize in other areas?

When you work with the St. Louis car accident attorneys Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, you work with a team with two of the 2022 list of Best Lawyers as well as a Top 50 and Top 100 lawyer in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury by Super Lawyers Magazine. With more than $700 million recovered for our clients, this team wins.

Call us today for a free consultation – 314-241-1919.