Missouri Lyft Accident Attorneys | Best In Law

Your Guide to Injury Claims involving Lyft Collisions

In Missouri, a victim of an accident that involves a Lyft vehicle has the right to seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses that he or she has suffered. This applies to any injured party such as the passengers of the Lyft vehicle, or another driver involved in the crash with the Lyft vehicle as well as bicyclists or pedestrians sharing the state’s roadways.

In such cases, it is important for victims and their families to remember that they are protected by the state’s rideshare insurance laws. All rideshare companies operating in Missouri, including Lyft, are required to have liability insurance coverage to the extent of $1 million under RSMo § 387.400. This coverage is made available to victims based on the “driving period” of the rideshare driver’s status at the time.

Below, our Lyft accident attorneys in Missouri discuss some of the steps involved in filing a rideshare injury accident claim in St. Louis, Kansas City and elsewhere. We also explain the state’s comparative fault rules and Lyft’s “three-period” insurance structure for determining the “driving period” status of their drivers.

Key Takeaways

• $1-million policy: For the victim, this insurance coverage is only available when the rideshare driver has accepted the ride on the app or when the passenger is physically present in the Lyft vehicle.
• Pure comparative fault: Missouri law allows the victim to recover damages even if he or she has been found to be 99% at fault for the accident. The extent of fault/responsibility that is assigned to the victim in such cases, will determine the amount of compensation that he or she can recover.
• 5-year statute of limitations: The time allowed for a victim to file a personal injury claim under Missouri law is five years, in most cases.
• No upfront costs: Our Missouri Lyft accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge a fee until we secure your compensation.

Missouri rideshare accident claims are typically complex and can be quite intimidating for plaintiffs (injured parties) as they involve a different set of hurdles as opposed to other car accident cases. Here, we explain the pertinent Missouri laws that help determine who can be held liable for your injuries, damages and losses in a rideshare accident.

Missouri’s “three-period” Insurance Rule for Rideshare Operators

As mentioned previously, the “three period” insurance rule determines the extent of coverage that is available to victims of Lyft (rideshare) accidents. So, based on the Lyft driver’s status in the Lyft app at the time the incident, a victim’s coverage can change.

Here is a table that shows the insurance policy that applies, the coverage that is available as well as the payment source in such cases. Identifying the correct “driving period” of the Lyft driver is one of the most important — and often the most disputed — issues in Lyft accident claims.

Driver Status	Liability Coverage Limits	Primary Payer
Offline (when app is off)	$25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident (personal auto policy)	Driver’s personal insurance
Waiting for Request (App is on, but no ride has been accepted)	$50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident (contingent liability)	Lyft/TNC policy after personal insurance
During ride (Passenger is in the car)	$1 million liability coverage (primary)	Lyft/TNC policy

 

For Lyft drivers, collision coverage during an active ride typically comes with a $2,500 deductible. This is often a point of frustration because it can significantly reduce recovery for vehicle damage. While this deductible does not apply to injured Lyft passengers or third parties such as bicyclists or pedestrians, it often becomes a major factor in driver claims.

Missouri Rideshare Laws: Pure Comparative Fault and Liability

Missouri applies “pure comparative negligence,” which means fault is divided among the parties involved. Your compensation as a victim is reduced by the percentage of your responsibility. Unlike states that use a modified comparative fault system such as Kansas, Missouri does not bar recovery if you more than 50% at fault. So, even a greatly disputed Lyft accident claim can provide compensation, making the state’s laws favorable to injured passengers, pedestrians and other drivers.

For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault for a crash and awards $100,000, under Missouri law, you can still collect $80,000. Our personal injury lawyers fight to minimize your fault percentage in order to maximize your payout.

The “Deep Pocket” Strategy

 

When a Lyft driver’s personal policy or the rideshare coverage is not sufficient to cover your losses, injured victims may be able to pursue Lyft for negligent (careless) hiring and retention, negligent supervision or other failures. While these claims can be more complex, they can also open additional sources of compensation to victims, especially when other avenues fall short.

Who is Liable for a Lyft Crash in Missouri?

Liability in Missouri Lyft accidents depends on who caused the crash and the status of the Lyft driver at the time of the incident. As stated above, Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” system, which means that each party is responsible for their share of the blame. So, even if you were partially at fault — as a passenger in the vehicle, another driver, bicyclist or pedestrian —  you can still recover compensation. Your recovery will be reduced, depending on your percentage of fault.

In many cases, the Lyft driver is the primary at-fault party. When this is the case, the insurance coverage depends on the driver’s app status. If the driver was offline according to the app, his or her personal auto insurance will first pay the claim. However, if the driver was logged in the app and waiting for the ride, Lyft’s contingent liability coverage can apply. If a ride had been accepted and the victim was in the vehicle at the time, the company’s $1 million primary liability policy is typically used to cover the damages.

Some Lyft crashes involve third-party drivers. In such scenarios, the fault may be assigned between multiple vehicles and parties where more than one insurance policy applies at the same time. Missouri’s comparative fault rules allow these overlapping claims, making sure victims are not unfairly denied compensation just because their liability is contested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue Lyft if I’m involved in an accident?

You can sue Lyft under certain circumstances. While most claims are handled through Lyft’s insurance, you may be able to file a lawsuit against Lyft where issues of negligent (careless) driver hiring or retention, supervision or policy violations are factors, especially if the driver’s personal auto policy is insufficient to cover damages.

How much is the average Lyft settlement in Missouri?

Car accident settlement amounts vary based on each case. Compensation can depend on a number of factors including the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost income and benefits, fault assigned and the available insurance coverage. The value of a settlement can vary from a few thousand dollars to six or seven figures in serious injury cases where Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy becomes applicable.

What happens when a Lyft driver gets into an accident?

In such cases, the driver’s app status can decide insurance coverage limits. When the crash is reported to Lyft, the appropriate driver status is determined and claims are routed through the driver’s personal insurance company or Lyft’s policy. Fault is then assigned based on Missouri’s comparative fault rules.

Protect Your Rights with a Missouri Lyft Accident Lawyer

Lyft accident claims in Missouri are definitely more complicated compared to other car crashes. We often find that in these cases, multiple insurers are involved and coverage shifts based on the driver’s app status at the time of the incident. Insurers often dispute fault under the state’s comparative negligence rules. Get an experienced Missouri lawyer on your side immediately and avoid the risk of having your valid claim delayed or denied.

If you have been injured in a Lyft accident anywhere in Missouri, you don’t have to face insurance companies alone. Our Missouri lyft accident attorneys have successfully handled rideshare accident cases. Our skilled lawyers know how to pursue maximum compensation for your losses that can help cover medical bills, lost income and benefits, and pain and suffering. Please contact us for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.