Injured In A Rideshare Accident In Missouri? Here’s What You Need To Know

Sansone & Lauber | | Car Accidents
Injured In A Rideshare Accident In Missouri

When you’re injured in a rideshare accident in Missouri, everything changes in a moment. Medical bills start piling up. Work becomes impossible.

Insurance adjusters—sometimes from multiple companies—start calling, each one trying to push liability away from themselves.

And if you don’t know Missouri’s rideshare accident laws and insurance rules, you risk walking away with a fraction of what you deserve.

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t settle for less. We know how Uber and Lyft’s billion-dollar insurance systems work, and we use Missouri law to maximize your compensation.

This guide will show you, step by step, how rideshare accident claims work in Missouri, how to protect your case, and what it takes to secure results that truly make a difference in your life.

Why Uber & Lyft Accidents in Missouri Are Different

Most car accidents in Missouri involve two drivers, two insurance policies, and the state’s 25/50/25 minimum liability limits. With rideshare accidents, the picture is far more complicated—and far more valuable, if handled correctly.

The Three “Phases” That Determine Results

Uber and Lyft coverage shifts based on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash:

  1. App OFF (Personal Use)

    • Only the driver’s personal insurance applies.

    • Minimum: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash / $25,000 property damage.

    • Result: Smallest coverage; we pursue the driver directly and, if needed, your own uninsured motorist (UM) policy.

  2. App ON, Waiting for a Request

    • Coverage increases to $50,000 per person / $100,000 per crash / $25,000 property damage, plus UM at state minimums.

    • Result: More room to work with, but insurers fight hard to limit payouts. We stack this with your UM/UIM coverage.

  3. On Trip (Passenger in Car or En Route to Pickup)

    • Uber/Lyft provides $1,000,000 in primary liability, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at Missouri minimums.

    • Result: This is where we achieve the largest recoveries. The challenge is proving the driver was “on trip” at the exact second of impact—something insurers often try to dispute.

Our Strategy: We subpoena app logs, GPS data, and electronic receipts to prove the phase and force Uber/Lyft’s $1,000,000 policy into play.

Missouri’s Pure Comparative Fault System

Missouri follows pure comparative fault, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault—but you can still recover even if you were 99% at fault.

  • Example: You’re awarded $500,000 but found 20% at fault. You still recover $400,000.

  • Result Impact: Insurers routinely exaggerate your fault to cut payouts. We use accident reconstruction, video evidence, and witness testimony to fight back.

The First 72 Hours: Actions That Define Results

The first three days after a crash are critical. What you do—or fail to do—can add or subtract hundreds of thousands from your case value.

  • Call 911 and Insist on a Report: Missouri requires reporting for injury, death, or property damage over $500. This creates a formal record.

  • Collect Evidence: Photos, videos, app screenshots, ride receipts, and witness contacts.

  • Seek Immediate Medical Care: Insurance companies will argue your injuries aren’t serious if you delay.

  • Avoid Recorded Statements: Adjusters design these to trap you. Send them to us.

  • File Missouri Form 1140 if Required: For certain crashes, state law requires additional reporting.

Result: Following this playbook prevents insurers from twisting facts and keeps you in the strongest possible position.

The Damages You Can Recover in Missouri Rideshare Cases

When we build a claim, we don’t just chase medical bills. Missouri law allows a broad scope of damages:

  • Medical Costs: ER visits, surgeries, rehab, long-term care.

  • Lost Wages & Future Earnings: What you lost and what you’ll miss out on.

  • Pain & Suffering: Physical and emotional trauma.

  • Permanent Disability & Disfigurement: Long-term life changes.

  • Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses, lost income, and the full value of your loved one’s life.

Case Example: In a Missouri Uber crash case, the insurer initially offered $25,000. After proving the driver was “on trip,” we triggered Uber’s $1,000,000 coverage and settled for $750,000—30x more than the first offer.

The Tactics Insurers Use (and How We Crush Them)

  • Phase Denial: Claiming the driver wasn’t “on trip.” We prove otherwise with electronic data.

  • Comparative Fault Games: Blaming you for the crash. We counter with experts.

  • Lowball Offers: Offering fast but tiny settlements. We prepare every case for trial to force serious money.

  • Delay Strategy: Hoping you’ll get desperate. We build pressure until they pay.

Result: Our aggressive approach forces insurers to pay real money—not pocket change.

FAQs: Missouri Uber/Lyft Accident Cases

Can I sue Uber directly?
Usually no. You pursue their insurer, but our pressure often brings Uber into settlement talks.

What if the other driver was uninsured?
During trips, Uber’s UM policy applies. We also tap into your UM/UIM.

How long do I have to file?
Five years for personal injury, three years for wrongful death. Waiting weakens your case.

Do I need a lawyer if Uber has $1,000,000 coverage?
Yes. That $1M is a limit, not a guarantee. Insurers will fight to pay far less.

Why Sansone & Lauber Gets Results

  • We force $1M coverage into play with data subpoenas.

  • We win comparative fault battles with expert testimony.

  • We stack policies (Uber, Lyft, personal, UM/UIM) to expand recovery.

  • We’ve recovered millions for Missouri injury victims, including Uber/Lyft passengers, drivers, and pedestrians.

Call to Action: Big Cases. Big Results. No Excuses.

Every day you wait, your case gets weaker. Evidence disappears. Rideshare data becomes harder to access. Insurers get a head start.

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t just handle rideshare claims—we dominate them. We turn minimum offers into maximum results, and we don’t stop until every available dollar is on the table.

📞 Call us now for a free consultation at 314-863-0500. 

No fees unless we win. Big cases. Big results. Missouri’s rideshare accident lawyers.