If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident around the Richmond Heights, MO area, legal help is available for you. Navigating insurance claims and handling negotiations singlehandedly can be overwhelming. Obtaining support from a Richmond Heights personal injury lawyer can significantly improve your chances of securing fair compensation.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has over three decades of experience to put behind your case. We’ve secured more than $70 million for our injured clients since opening in 2002.
Contact our law firm at (314) 207-4399 to schedule a free consultation with a Richmond Heights Uber accident lawyer. We’ll review your legal options, explain your rights, and answer your questions.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’re Hurt in an Uber Accident in Richmond Heights, MO
Retaining a lawyer can make all the difference if you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in Richmond Heights, Missouri. Here are specific ways our legal team can help:
Gathering Evidence
We will collect and preserve critical evidence to prove liability, including surveillance footage, witness statements, police reports, and medical records to demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
Calculating Damages
Our lawyers can accurately assess your past, current, and future damages – both economic and non-economic – to ensure you are able to obtain the compensation you need to focus on your recovery.
Handling Negotiations
Most personal injury claims are settled out of court, but making a deal with insurance companies can be challenging. Our attorneys have the skills to negotiate effectively on your behalf, ensuring you obtain a fair settlement that adequately reflects the total impact of your injuries.
If you’ve been hurt in an Uber accident in Richmond Heights, MO, we can help you. Contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Richmond Heights Uber accident attorney.
How Common Are Uber Accidents in Richmond Heights, Missouri?
Based on recent studies, there has been a noted increase in fatal collisions within major cities after the advent of ridesharing platforms like Uber and Lyft. This development is typically associated with an elevation in the number of vehicles moving through urban areas.
Uber Safety Report
Uber released their U.S. Safety Report, which illustrates that the accident rate per mile for Uber drivers is roughly half of the national average. In 2017, out of 8.2 billion miles driven by Uber drivers, there were reported to be 49 fatalities.
However, it’s important to note what counts as “Uber-related,” according to this report. These fatal collisions only include cases where an Uber driver crashes while carrying a passenger or en route to pick up a passenger.
Accidents occurring during downtime—whether waiting for ride requests or merely cruising—are not included.
What is My Richmond Heights Uber Accident Case Worth?
Determining the exact value of your Uber accident claim can be a complex process, as it vastly depends on various individual circumstances. All personal injury claims are unique, and this is no different with an Uber accident claim.
Several factors come into play when assessing the value of your claim:
Fault
In any accident case, determining fault is essential. It must be determined who was at fault and whether more than one party was responsible for the accident. These factors could significantly impact your compensation.
Insurance Coverage
Whether Uber’s liability policy was valid during the accident, as well as coverage from the driver’s own insurance policy and maybe yours as well, will play a role in how much you can obtain through a claim.
Severity of Injuries
The severity and type of injuries sustained play a critical role in calculating potential compensation. Medical expenses, including ambulance fees, hospital stays, surgery costs, physical therapy, and any necessary ongoing treatment, can make up a significant portion of your claim.
Impact on Future Life
If the injuries result in long-term or permanent disability impacting your daily activities or quality of life, this can increase the compensation you’re entitled to.
As you can see, multiple factors will influence the ultimate worth of an Uber accident case. Consulting a personal injury attorney in Richmond Heights can provide the necessary guidance.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Uber Accident Victims in Richmond Heights, Missouri?
If you’re a victim of an Uber accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for various types of damages from the party at fault. These most often fall into two categories, with a rare third type:
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to tangible losses you have incurred as a direct result of the accident. They most often include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
These are the less tangible or non-monetary impacts of your accident that can still greatly affect your life. The most common ones include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded as well. Punitive damages don’t compensate for a loss; instead, they are meant to serve as a form of punishment when the at-fault party has acted particularly egregiously.
To be awarded punitive damages, you must prove that the defendant intentionally harmed you without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For an Uber Accident in Missouri?
Yes, you absolutely can. Missouri operates under the principle of pure comparative negligence when determining compensation in car accident cases, including those involving Uber.
Under this doctrine, even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident — up to 99% at fault — you may still recover a portion of your damages. The catch is that your compensatory award will be reduced by your percentage of blame.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Uber Accident Injuries
Accidents involving Uber can result in a range of injuries. Some common ones include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions and other brain injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Fractured or broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Scrapes and bruises
Our firm is dedicated to pursuing fair compensation for all of your injuries.
What Causes Most Uber Accidents in Richmond Heights, MO?
In Richmond Heights, Missouri, several factors contribute to Uber accidents:
Drunk Driving
Despite it being illegal and extremely dangerous, drunk driving remains a frequent cause of Uber accidents and car accidents in general.
Drowsy Driving
Uber drivers regularly work late at night, as they often earn more money this way. However, fatigue can severely impair a driver’s ability to react promptly or make sound decisions on the road, resulting in collisions.
Distracted Driving
This includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as talking or texting on the phone, eating and drinking, and engaging with in-car systems or passengers.
Speeding
Drivers exceeding the speed limit significantly increases the risk of an accident by reducing their ability to steer safely around curves or objects and extending the distance they need to brake to avoid cars in front of them.
These types of accidents may be more likely to occur with Ubers because of the inherent distractions and the need to rush to get people where they need to be.
How Do I Prove Negligence After an Uber Accident in Missouri?
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, proving negligence is essential to claim compensation. This can be done by providing certain types of evidence, such as:
Photographs and Videos
Utilizing photos or videos from the scene can provide undeniable proof of damage to vehicles, road conditions, weather factors at the time, and more.
Witness Statements
Witnesses can provide valuable insights into the events leading up to, during, and after the incident.
Surveillance Footage
With today’s pervasive use of surveillance cameras in both public spaces and private establishments, such as traffic lights or nearby stores, it’s possible that bystander video footage may capture crucial details surrounding your accident.
Reports and Citations
Police reports can be critical in determining fault. They typically contain a detailed account of the accident based on facts observed by officers at the scene, alongside any traffic violations that might have contributed.
Expert Testimony
In certain complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may need to be employed to provide professional analysis and testify regarding the cause of the accident, providing a clearer picture of exactly what transpired.
Proving negligence after an Uber accident in Missouri can be difficult, but an experienced Richmond Heights personal injury attorney can help you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in Missouri?
In Missouri, there is a five-year statute of limitations for filing lawsuits in cases involving motor vehicle accidents. This means that if you’re injured in an Uber accident, you have up to five years from the date of the incident to file your lawsuit.
However, keep in mind that exceptions do exist. For example, if the victim of an Uber accident is a minor, the clock may not start ticking until they reach adulthood. Because each case is unique and potential exceptions exist, it’s crucial that you consult a lawyer right away.
Contact Our Richmond Heights Uber Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you find yourself or a loved one grappling with injuries from an Uber accident in Richmond Heights, MO, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional legal assistance. We’re here to help you; we’ll focus on the legal aspects so you can spend your time dealing with what matters: your health and recovery.
Contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (314) 207-4399 to schedule a free consultation with a Richmond Heights Uber accident lawyer.
