Rideshare Accidents in Kansas City: Who’s Liable and How to File a Claim

When someone is hurt in a car accident involving a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, the aftermath is rarely simple. Kansas City rideshare accidents often involve multiple insurance policies and potentially several liable parties, making the path to compensation more complex than traditional collisions. 

At Devkota Law Firm, we understand how stressful this process can feel and how important it is to have clear answers from the start.

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Understanding Rideshare Accidents in Kansas City

Rideshare accidents differ from everyday car accidents because liability depends heavily on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a passenger, or actively transporting a rider. This matters because each stage triggers a different level of insurance coverage from the rideshare company. For victims, that means identifying fault is only the first step, since coverage may change instantly depending on the driver’s status.

Missouri law gives injured parties a generous but firm timeline to act. According to Missouri Revised Statute §516.120, victims have up to five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Waiting too long can shut the door on recovering compensation, even when the claim would otherwise have been valid.

Missouri also follows a comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be reduced if the injured person shares responsibility for the crash. Because these cases often involve multiple drivers and insurers pointing fingers at each other, building a clear legal strategy from the start makes a huge difference.

Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

In Missouri, liability for rideshare accidents can involve several parties and multiple insurance policies. Depending on the driver’s status in the app, responsibility may fall on the driver’s personal insurer, the rideshare company’s tiered coverage, another motorist, or even a vehicle manufacturer. Victims are encouraged to seek medical care right away, report the incident, and preserve evidence like screenshots and receipts, since this documentation is often the key to determining which policy applies. Missouri law also gives injured parties up to five years to pursue compensation, but waiting can weaken a claim.

Liability in these types of accidents depends on the driver’s app status during the crash. Uber and Lyft provide tiered insurance policies that shift depending on whether the driver is offline, waiting for a request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting someone. Here’s a simple flowchart-style breakdown of how liability works:

• Driver offline or app closed: The driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
• Driver online, waiting for a ride request: Limited liability coverage from the rideshare company may apply, but only if the driver’s personal insurance denies coverage.
• Driver accepted a ride request or is carrying a passenger: Uber or Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
• Third-party or vehicle defect involved: Liability may extend to another motorist, a car manufacturer, or even a parts supplier.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the state emphasizes roadway safety and data-driven policies to reduce collisions. This focus highlights why determining liability in rideshare cases is so important: with thousands of crashes occurring statewide each year, insurance carriers carefully examine fault before paying claims. 

Steps to Take Immediately After a Rideshare Accident

The steps you take right after a rideshare accident can either strengthen or weaken your ability to file a claim. Safety comes first, but protecting your legal rights begins in the first moments.

1. Call 911 and seek medical care: Even minor injuries should be evaluated, since adrenaline can mask pain.
2. Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, the rideshare driver’s app status, and the surrounding area.
3. Gather witness information: Names, phone numbers, and even quick notes can preserve details that may fade later.
4. Report the crash: Missouri law requires drivers to file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report with the Department of Revenue within 12 months if certain conditions are met, such as property damage or injuries.
5. Contact the rideshare company: Use the in-app crash reporting system, but avoid giving statements that might be used against you.
6. Speak with an attorney: These cases often pit multiple insurers against each other, each trying to minimize payouts, and having legal representation levels the playing field.

Taking these steps quickly helps protect your health, your rights, and your ability to pursue fair compensation.

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How to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Kansas City

Filing a rideshare accident claim in Kansas City is not as simple as contacting one insurance company. Multiple policies may overlap, and insurers often dispute who should pay. Here’s how the process usually unfolds:

1. Medical treatment and documentation: Keep every medical record, bill, and doctor’s note. These serve as evidence of your damages.
2. Notification of claims: Depending on the driver’s status, you may need to file with the driver’s insurer, Uber or Lyft’s insurer, or both. Each policy has its own deadlines and reporting requirements.
3. Investigation: Your legal team gathers police reports, rideshare app data, black box information, and witness statements to establish liability.
4. Settlement negotiations: Insurers may dispute fault or minimize injuries. Strong evidence makes negotiations more effective.
5. Litigation, if necessary: If insurers refuse fair compensation, a lawsuit may be filed within Missouri’s five-year statute of limitations. From there, your case could proceed to discovery, mediation, or trial.

At the end of the day, the claim process is designed to discourage victims from pursuing fair compensation on their own. Rideshare companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers protecting their interests, which is why having someone on your side who knows Missouri accident law makes a powerful difference.

Call Devkota Law Firm in Kansas City for Help Filing a Rideshare Accident Claim

Rideshare accidents in Kansas City often involve layers of insurance coverage, multiple liable parties, and complicated fault rules. Trying to sort this out on your own can quickly become overwhelming. Our team at Devkota Law Firm has fought for countless car accident victims, and we know how to uncover evidence, challenge insurance tactics, and pursue the compensation you deserve. 

If you or a loved one were injured in a rideshare crash, don’t wait until time runs out under Missouri’s five-year statute of limitations. Call us at (816) 207-4255 to discuss your case and get answers you can trust.