A Missouri rideshare accident attorney can help individuals who have been injured or harmed as a result of an accident involving a rideshare driver or their vehicle. Ridesharing services are changing the way people travel in metro areas across the United States. However, lawsuits allege that some rideshare drivers were responsible for certain accidents, prompting regulatory change in some areas. People who have been injured in accidents involving a rideshare automobile may be eligible to pursue damages with the help of a Missouri rideshare accident lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Missouri today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Missouri rideshare accident attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Ridesharing?
Although the concept of “ridesharing” or “ride-hailing” isn’t new, ridesharing services (sometimes called transportation networking companies) are capitalizing on smartphone technology to connect passengers and drivers. Companies like Lyft and Uber have changed the way some people view transportation, especially in larger metropolitan areas, and the concept of ridesharing has some city and local officials scrambling to ensure that the safety of passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and citizens remains intact.
How Do Ridesharing Services Work?
In order to use a ridesharing service, such as Lyft and Uber, the service must be offered in that particular location. Passengers who wish to hail a ride simply download the app to their smartphone, make a ride request and a nearby driver comes to pick them up. All activity can be viewed within the app, including the location of the driver, how long it will be before they arrive, and the cost of the trip.
Missouri Rideshare Regulation
As rideshare companies continue to grow throughout the state of Missouri, particularly in Kansas City and St. Louis, some are questioning the legality of the services. According to an article published in The Missouri Times, Missouri lawmakers and representatives from Uber are working to reach common ground with regards to the regulation of rideshare services in the state. To date, Uber operates only in St. Louis and Kansas City, and Lyft has ceased operations altogether.
Like many states, Missouri is looking at ways to regulate the service while still allowing for company growth and economic opportunity. Proposed regulations in Missouri include mandated car insurance for all drivers, a zero drug and alcohol policy, and extensive background checks for drivers. These proposed ideas aren’t unlike other regulations passed in other states across the country.
Rideshare Lawsuit Claims
A Missouri rideshare accident attorney notes that people who have been injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver or their company may be able to file a lawsuit and seek damages for their injuries. Because drivers who work for rideshare companies are often labeled as independent contractors, people who have been in a car accident involving a rideshare driver may have a difficult time establishing legal responsibility should an accident happen. According to NBCNews.com, Uber has attempted to distance itself from legal responsibility in a fatal accident involving a six-year old girl in San Francisco, claiming that the company wasn’t liable because the driver wasn’t transporting a passenger at the time of the alleged accident. Uber has since settled the case, prompting states and local municipalities across the country to reevaluate the way rideshare companies operate in their jurisdictions.
How a Missouri Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
Rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty to provide a safe environment for its passengers, drivers, other commuters, and pedestrians. If there are risks of harm associated with rideshare company drivers, the company must also provide adequate warnings and safeguards. If a driver fails to fulfill this duty, they, as well as the company, could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured as a result of a car accident involving a rideshare car through no fault of their own may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died in car accidents may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Missouri. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
