I Was Hurt As An Uber Passenger In St. Louis — Who Pays My Medical Bills?

Sansone & Lauber | | Rideshare Accidents
I Was Hurt As An Uber Passenger In St. Louis

I Was Hurt As An Uber Passenger In St. Louis — Who Pays My Medical Bills?

If you were injured as an Uber passenger in St. Louis, your medical bills can be paid from several possible sources—Uber’s insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, your own MedPay (medical payments) coverage, and/or health insurance—often in a specific order.

Which policy pays, how quickly it pays, and how much you ultimately keep depends on fault, Missouri insurance law, hospital and insurer liens, and how your claim is presented and negotiated.

In short: you have options, but you also have traps. Our job at Sansone & Lauber is to stack the coverage, control the bills, and maximize your net recovery—the dollars that actually end up in your pocket.

📞 Injured in an Uber anywhere in the St. Louis area?

Call 314-863-0500 or message us 24/7 for a free case evaluation. No upfront fees.

You pay nothing unless we win.

Why Uber Passenger Claims Are Different (and Often Better) for Coverage

As a paying Uber passenger, you did nothing wrong. That matters. Whether your Uber driver caused the crash or another driver hit your Uber, you were a blameless occupant. During an active trip (ride accepted → drop-off completed), Uber maintains significant insurance coverage for bodily injury claims.

Uber’s own site confirms that the company maintains third-party and UM/UIM coverages during trips, with limits and specifics that vary by state; you can view certificates for current limits by state on Uber’s insurance page.

In practice, most passenger claims involve some combination of:

  • Uber’s liability coverage when your Uber driver is at fault during an active ride.

  • Uber’s UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage if another driver is at fault and that driver has no insurance or too little insurance to cover your harms and losses (availability and limits vary by state; certificates specify current Missouri limits).

  • The at-fault non-Uber driver’s auto liability coverage, if they caused the crash.

  • Your own MedPay (medical payments) coverage (optional in Missouri, pays regardless of fault, often $1,000–$10,000 or more, and typically pays quickly).

  • Your health insurance, which may pay initially but often asserts a lien/subrogation interest to be reimbursed out of your settlement (subject to Missouri law and plan language).

Because the ride was commercially insured, there’s usually more insurance available than in a typical car-on-car crash. That’s good news—but it also means more adjusters, more paperwork, and more opportunities to get short-changed. Our St. Louis Uber accident team knows how to coordinate all coverages, sequence payments, and negotiate liens so you come first.

Who Pays First? The Practical Order of Payment for Uber Passenger Injuries

Every case is unique, but a common, practical sequence looks like this:

  1. MedPay (Medical Payments) from Your Auto Policy
    Missouri MedPay is no-fault: it pays covered medical bills regardless of who caused the crash, and it can pay fast—often before liability is resolved. Typical limits range $1,000 to $10,000 (sometimes more), and it can cover ER visits, imaging, follow-ups, therapy, and copays.

  2. Uber’s or the At-Fault Driver’s Liability Coverage

    • If your Uber driver was at fault while on an active trip, Uber’s liability policy is implicated.

    • If another driver was at fault, that driver’s liability insurance is primary; if it’s insufficient or nonexistent, Uber’s UM/UIM may step in during the trip (subject to current state-specific coverage terms).

  3. Your Health Insurance
    If MedPay is exhausted or you don’t have it, your health insurance can fund treatment. Later, your health plan may seek reimbursement from the settlement pursuant to plan terms and Missouri lien/subrogation rules. We scrutinize plan language and assert defenses (e.g., made-whole arguments where applicable) and negotiate aggressively to reduce reimbursements so you keep more.

  4. Hospital/Provider Liens (Missouri)
    Missouri law allows hospitals/clinics to assert liens on injury settlements—but only if they properly serve written notice and follow the statutory requirements. Even then, their lien is limited and must fit within the 50% cap (after attorney fees and prior liens). Knowing the statute and notice rules is critical to prevent overpayment.

Bottom line: We front-load MedPay for speed, leverage liability and UM/UIM for full compensation, and manage liens to protect your take-home recovery.

How Fault Works in Missouri (And Why It Matters Even as a Passenger)

Missouri follows comparative fault. In general, your recovery is reduced only by your percentage of fault. As a passenger, your fault is usually 0% (unless you did something extraordinary to cause harm). That means fault will be apportioned between the Uber driver and any other drivers involved.

Missouri uses comparative fault across tort cases; courts have abolished contributory negligence as a complete bar, and fault simply reduces damages by percentage (specific statutes address certain contexts).

For you, that means we identify all negligent parties and pursue every layer of coverage available—without allowing insurers to shift blame to avoid paying your bills.

Common Uber Passenger Injuries We See in St. Louis

From Downtown and Midtown to The Grove, Clayton, Brentwood, University City, Kirkwood, Florissant, St. Charles, and Metro East, we routinely help Uber passengers with:

  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

  • Whiplash and cervical strains

  • Herniated discs and sciatic pain

  • Shoulder and knee injuries (labrum, rotator cuff, meniscus)

  • Fractures, including wrist, ankle, ribs

  • Facial and dental injuries from airbag/impact

  • Lacerations and scarring

  • Psychological trauma (anxiety, PTSD)

These injuries can trigger ER bills, imaging, specialist care, injections, PT, and surgery—adding up to thousands or tens of thousands quickly. That’s why smart coverage sequencing and lien control matter from day one.

Step-By-Step: What to Do After an Uber Crash in St. Louis

  1. Call 911 and Get Medical Care
    Safety first. Accept EMS/ER transport if needed. Document symptoms.

  2. Report the Crash in the Uber App
    Reporting establishes the trip status and triggers Uber’s insurance process.

  3. Gather Evidence
    Photos of vehicles, scene, driver information, insurance cards, and your Uber trip receipt.

  4. Do Not Give Recorded Statements (Without Counsel)
    Uber’s insurer or the other driver’s insurer may call quickly. Be polite; decline a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with us.

  5. Call Sansone & Lauber (314-863-0500)
    We coordinate MedPay, manage health insurance billing, open the right liability/UM claims, and preserve black-box and app data.

A Closer Look at the Coverage That May Pay Your Medical Bills

1) Uber’s Insurance During an Active Trip

When a ride is accepted and you are en route or on the trip, Uber represents that it maintains third-party liability and typically UM/UIM in many states (limits and availability vary by state and have changed over time; Uber links to state-specific Certificates of Insurance). In practice, passenger claims can often access substantial coverage during the trip window.

Why we move fast: We confirm trip timing, driver app status, and which policy tier was in effect. We preserve driver and telematics data early to avoid disputes about whether the ride was “active.”

2) The At-Fault Driver’s Liability Insurance

If a non-Uber driver caused the crash, we pursue that driver’s liability policy first. If their coverage isn’t enough (very common), we pursue Uber’s UM/UIM for the shortfall if available under Missouri’s current Uber certificate.

3) Your MedPay (Medical Payments) Coverage

Missouri MedPay is optional but extremely helpful. It pays medical bills quickly regardless of fault, often covering ER, imaging, and early treatment up to your limit (commonly $1,000–$10,000). Unlike liability claims, you don’t need to prove fault to tap MedPay.

We submit proper ICD/CPT coding and itemized bills to your MedPay carrier for rapid payment, which reduces collection pressure and keeps your treatment on track.

4) Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, they may cover ongoing care (subject to copays/deductibles). They often assert reimbursement rights from your settlement. We analyze plan language (e.g., ERISA/self-funded vs. insured) and negotiate aggressively to minimize paybacks so you keep more.

5) Missouri Hospital/Provider Liens

Missouri law allows hospitals/clinics to assert liens—but only if they strictly comply with the statute’s notice requirements. Properly perfected liens are limited and must fit within a statutory distribution that caps provider recovery to a share of the settlement after attorney fees and certain prior liens. We audit notices and demand strict compliance to prevent overreaching.

How We Protect Your Net Recovery (Not Just the Gross Settlement)

Many firms focus on the headline settlement. We focus on what matters: your net. That means:

  • Sequencing MedPay and health insurance to reduce your out-of-pocket.

  • Challenging improper hospital liens and limiting them under RSMo 430.225–.250.

  • Negotiating health plan reimbursements (and asserting defenses where supported).

  • Stacking liability and UM/UIM where available to reach full value.

  • Documenting the true extent of your damages—medical, wage loss, future care, and pain/suffering—under Missouri law.

What If Multiple Drivers Are at Fault?

Because Missouri applies comparative fault, the Uber driver and another motorist can share fault. We pursue all insurers concurrently and sort out percentages later. You shouldn’t be stuck in the middle while carriers argue coverage. Missouri recognizes comparative fault across tort claims; damages are reduced only by the plaintiff’s share of fault (typically zero for a passenger).

What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?

If a hit-and-run or uninsured driver caused the crash during your Uber trip, we look to Uber’s UM coverage if available under current Missouri certificates. If for any reason that coverage is limited or contested, we examine your own UM/UIM (if applicable to you as a passenger under your policy language). Uber’s public materials note UM/UIM coverage varies by state and can change over time—we verify the current Missouri certificate and fight for full application.

How Long Do I Have to File an Uber Passenger Injury Claim in Missouri?

Missouri’s general statute of limitations for personal injury is five (5) years, meaning you typically have five years from the date of the crash to file suit (there are exceptions). Don’t wait—evidence disappears and coverage fights get harder over time.

Damages You Can Recover as an Injured Uber Passenger

  • Medical bills (past & future)

  • Lost wages / diminished earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Loss of normal life / activities

  • Scarring and disfigurement

  • Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation, devices, meds)

  • Property damage (e.g., broken phone/laptop)

If the crash caused a fatality, Missouri recognizes wrongful death claims with separate rules and timelines. Call us to discuss your family’s rights.

Real-World Examples (How the Money Flows)

Example A: Two-Car Crash, Uber Driver at Fault
You’re in an Uber heading from Soulard to Central West End. Your driver rear-ends a pickup. You go to Barnes-Jewish ER. We submit ER bills to your MedPay for fast payment, then claim full damages under Uber’s liability coverage for the balance. We negotiate down the hospital lien and any health plan paybacks. You keep the majority of the recovery.

Example B: T-Bone by Uninsured Driver
En route from Clayton to Forest Park, a hit-and-run runs a red light. Police report + Uber trip receipt confirm active trip. We open a UM claim under Uber’s policy (per current Missouri certificate) and your MedPay handles early bills. We push the UM adjuster with medical proof, lost wage documentation, and life-impact evidence. We close by reducing liens and maximizing your net.

Frequently Asked Questions from St. Louis Uber Passengers

Q: I don’t have MedPay—am I stuck with the ER bill?
A: Not necessarily. We can route bills through health insurance, and then recover from liability/UM coverage. We also enforce Missouri’s lien rules to prevent over-collection by providers.

Q: Uber’s insurer keeps asking for a recorded statement. Should I do it?
A: Not before you talk to us. We give the facts without giving the insurer ways to minimize or delay your claim.

Q: What if I started feeling pain a day or two later?
A: That’s common. Document symptoms and get care immediately. Delays hurt both your health and your claim.

Q: Can I recover if both the Uber driver and the other driver share fault?
A: Yes. We pursue all at-fault insurers; comparative fault allocates responsibility among them, not you.

Q: Will the hospital take my whole settlement?
A: No. Missouri’s statute limits hospital liens and requires proper notice. We enforce the rules and negotiate reductions.

Q: How much is my Uber passenger case worth?
A: It depends on medical treatment, lasting limitations, wage loss, and available insurance. Our goal is to unlock every coverage layer and lower lien paybacks to maximize your net.

The Biggest Mistakes Uber Passengers Make (and How We Avoid Them)

  • Waiting to get care (“hoping it goes away”) → insurers call it a “gap” and discount you.

  • Relying on the wrong coverage sequence → leads to collections, higher balances, and lower net.

  • Signing releases too early → you may cut off UM/UIM or miss future damages.

  • Assuming liens are set in stone → they’re negotiable and subject to statutory limits.

  • Going it alone → multiple insurers + Uber app status + lien law = complex. We handle it.

How Sansone & Lauber Builds Your Uber Passenger Claim

  1. Intake & Evidence: Trip receipt, police report, photos, witness info, medical records.

  2. Coverage Map: Identify all policies—Uber (liability, UM/UIM), at-fault driver, your MedPay, your UM/UIM, and health insurance.

  3. Medical Gameplan: Align treatment with proof: diagnostics → specialist → therapy → injections/surgery (only if necessary).

  4. Early MedPay: Submit clean, itemized bills for fast payment where available (no fault required).

  5. Liability/UM Strategy: Aggressive demands with medical modeling, wage documentation, and life impact.

  6. Lien Defense: Enforce Missouri’s notice and distribution rules; negotiate reductions.

  7. Settlement or Suit: If the insurer plays games, we file suit well within Missouri’s five-year limitation and litigate to win.

Why Hire a Local St. Louis Uber Accident Lawyer—Now

  • We know local hospitals and providers (Barnes-Jewish, Mercy, SSM, SLU) and how they bill and lien.

  • We know St. Louis adjusters and their valuation habits.

  • We know Missouri law on liens, MedPay, comparative fault, and limitations cold.

  • We front-end coverage to keep treatment moving, and back-end lien reductions to keep your net high.

📞 Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 or message us 24/7. Free consultation.

No fee unless we win.