Rideshare Accident Attorney in Des Moines

Legal Help When An Uber Or Lyft Ride Ends In A Crash

If a rideshare trip that was supposed to be convenient ended with you in pain, you are not alone. Collisions involving Uber and Lyft can be confusing because there are multiple drivers, companies, and insurance policies involved. You may be worried about medical bills, time away from work, and calls from insurance adjusters, all while trying to heal. A rideshare accident attorney in Des Moines from our firm can help you with your process after the accident.

At McEnroe, Gotsdiner, Steinbach, Rothman & Kendell P.C., we help people who have been hurt in rideshare accidents in Des Moines and across Iowa. Our attorneys handle personal injury matters every day, and members of our team have argued cases before the Iowa Supreme Court. When you contact us, you reach a long-standing Iowa firm that understands how crashes affect real people and how injury claims move through local courts.

You do not have to sort through rideshare app rules or insurance fine print by yourself. Our rideshare accident lawyers in Des Moines are here to listen, answer questions in plain language, and help you understand your options after a serious Uber or Lyft collision.

Speaking with a rideshare accident attorney Des Moines residents can turn to can help you understand your rights, the potential value of your claim, and the steps that may come next. Contact us online or call us at (515) 516-3745.

Why Rideshare Crashes Are Different From Other Accidents

Many people are surprised by how complicated a rideshare collision becomes once insurance companies get involved. A typical car accident usually involves two drivers and their individual auto policies. By contrast, rideshare crashes can bring in the rideshare driver's personal insurer, the company's coverage, and the insurance for any other drivers involved.

Coverage often depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. For example, different insurance rules may apply if the driver had the app off, was waiting for a request, or was carrying a passenger. Passengers, drivers, and people in other vehicles may all have different rights depending on these details. This layered structure can give insurers more opportunities to argue about who should pay.

These issues arise under Iowa law, which sets the rules for negligence, fault, and compensation. Our rideshare accident attorneys in Des Moines are used to working with complex legal questions and have taken cases to the Iowa Supreme Court when important issues needed to be resolved. That background helps us evaluate responsibility in rideshare crashes and explain how the law may apply to your situation.

How Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Des Moines Help After A Rideshare Accident

After a serious collision, it is hard to know where to start. When you contact our firm, we work to take as much of the legal burden off your shoulders as possible so you can focus on treatment and daily life. We begin by listening carefully to what happened, reviewing any reports or documents you already have, and identifying what additional information we may need.

Our team can obtain and review the police report, photographs, and medical records that relate to the crash. Where appropriate, we look for app based information, such as trip confirmations and ride receipts, to help clarify whether the driver was working through Uber or Lyft when the collision occurred. We also work to identify and preserve evidence from the scene, including witness contact information and any available video, before it becomes difficult to find.

A key part of our role is sorting through the insurance landscape. In a rideshare case, there may be one or more personal auto policies, rideshare company coverage, and other insurers involved. We communicate with these companies on your behalf, provide information in a way that protects your interests, and respond to their questions so you are not left to manage these conversations alone.

As your medical care progresses, we track treatment, bills, and information about how your injuries affect work and family responsibilities. The goal of our rideshare accident attorneys in Des Moines is to present a full picture of your losses, not just the costs from the first few weeks. Throughout this process, we keep you updated, answer your questions, and help you understand each decision point as your claim moves forward in this part of Iowa.

Steps To Take After An Uber Or Lyft Crash

The moments and days after a rideshare collision can feel overwhelming. You may be trying to balance medical appointments, vehicle issues, and calls from companies you do not know. Taking a few practical steps can help protect both your health and your potential claim.

Focus on safety and medical care

• Move to a safe location if you can do so without putting yourself in more danger.
• Call 911 to report the crash and request medical help when needed.
• See a doctor promptly, even if you feel just shaken up, because some injuries are not obvious right away.

Report the accident clearly

• Cooperate with law enforcement and provide honest, factual information for the report.
• Use the Uber or Lyft app to report the collision, and save any confirmation messages you receive.

Preserve information and evidence

• Take photos of the vehicles, visible injuries, and the surrounding area, if you are able.
• Capture screenshots of the ride details in the app, including driver name, vehicle, and trip route.
• Collect names and contact information for the rideshare driver, other drivers, and any witnesses.

Be cautious with insurance conversations

• Be careful about giving detailed or recorded statements to any insurance adjuster before you understand your rights.
• Avoid guessing about what caused the crash, and do not feel pressured to accept an early settlement offer.

Reach out for legal guidance

• Contact a lawyer with experience handling injury claims that involve rideshare services so you can discuss your options.
• Our team can review what happened, explain how Iowa law may apply, and help you decide on next steps.

These steps are general suggestions, and every situation is different. If you are unsure about what to do in your specific case, we can talk through your concerns and help you create a plan.

Who May Be Responsible For A Rideshare Accident

One of the most common questions people ask after a rideshare crash is who should be held responsible. The answer often depends on the details of the collision and how Iowa law applies to those facts. There can be more than one party whose actions contributed to an injury.

Sometimes the rideshare driver may be at fault, for example, if they were distracted, speeding, or not following traffic rules. In other cases, another motorist may have caused the crash by running a light, following too closely, or failing to yield. A pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist can also be injured when a rideshare driver or another driver fails to use reasonable care.

In some situations, insurance that is connected with the rideshare company can come into play. Which coverage applies usually depends on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, on the way to pick up a passenger, or had a passenger in the vehicle. Determining this often requires reviewing app activity, police reports, and other information.

Iowa follows comparative fault rules that can affect how compensation is allocated when more than one party shares responsibility. Our rideshare accident attorneys in Des Moines analyze the circumstances of each crash, look at how these rules operate in Des Moines and other courts in this region, and work to identify which parties and insurers should be involved in a claim.

Injuries & Compensation In Rideshare Collision Cases

Rideshare collisions can range from minor fender benders to crashes that cause serious and lasting harm. Even a lower speed impact can lead to injuries that disrupt work, family responsibilities, and daily activities. It is common for people to underestimate the impact at first, only to realize later that pain, stiffness, or other symptoms are not going away.

Injuries from these crashes may include whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, broken bones, concussions and other head injuries, and back or neck problems. More serious collisions can result in internal injuries, fractures that require surgery, or long-term mobility issues. Treatment may involve emergency care, follow-up visits, physical therapy, medications, and, in some cases, ongoing or future medical needs.

When we handle an injury claim, we look at more than just the initial hospital bill. People hurt in rideshare crashes may miss work, lose income, or find it harder to perform their usual job duties. They may also experience pain, anxiety, loss of sleep, or limitations in activities they used to enjoy. These human effects matter as part of the claim, not just the numbers on invoices.

Compensation in an Iowa injury case can include medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, depending on the facts and law that apply. We work to document your treatment, gather information from your medical providers in the Des Moines area, and present a clear picture of how the crash has changed your life now and in the future.

Working With Our Firm On Your Rideshare Case

Choosing a rideshare accident attorney in Des Moines is a personal decision. Many people want to know what it will be like to work with our firm before they decide to reach out. We understand that, especially if this is the first time you have considered talking with an attorney.

When you contact McEnroe, Gotsdiner, Steinbach, Rothman & Kendell P.C.,  you reach a team that has represented Iowans for many years in personal injury, criminal defense, and family law matters. Our rideshare accident attorneys in Des Moines have handled serious cases, including work before the Iowa Supreme Court, and we bring that same level of care and attention to rideshare collision claims. During an initial conversation, we listen to your story, ask questions to understand your medical situation, and review any documents or information you already have.

We know that many Uber and Lyft collisions happen in the evening or on weekends, when people are out to dinner, at events, or traveling through the city. Our after-hours intake answering helps make sure that when you call at difficult times, you can still reach someone and start the process of getting help. From there, our attorneys follow up to discuss your options in more detail.

Cost is often a concern after a crash, particularly when medical bills and vehicle costs are rising. We accept credit cards and work to make our representation accessible so that financial stress is not the only factor in deciding to seek legal guidance. We can talk with you about fee structures that may apply to injury matters and answer your questions about how payment works.

Communication is another important part of the relationship. Our goal is to explain Iowa injury law and insurance issues in everyday language, keep you informed about developments in your case, and respond to your questions. For clients who are more comfortable speaking French or Chinese, our rideshare accident attorneys in Des Moines can communicate in those languages, which helps reduce misunderstandings and makes it easier to discuss details about injuries and treatment.

To talk with our team about a rideshare accident injury, call (515) 516-3745.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need A Lawyer After An Uber Or Lyft Accident If The Insurance Company Called Me?

You are not required to hire a lawyer, but talking with an attorney before making decisions can help protect your interests. Insurance companies often contact injured people quickly and may ask for recorded statements or offer early settlements. Those conversations can affect your claim, especially before you know the full extent of your injuries.

When you speak with our team, we can review what happened, explain how Iowa law treats rideshare accidents, and talk through the pros and cons of handling the claim on your own. We can also look at any offers or paperwork you have received and help you understand what they mean. That way, you can make choices based on clear information, not pressure.

How Will You Figure Out Which Insurance Company Should Pay My Rideshare Claim?

We start by gathering information about how the crash happened and what the rideshare driver was doing at the time. This can include reviewing the police report, ride details from the app, and your description of the trip. These details help show whether the driver was logged into a rideshare platform, carrying a passenger, or using the vehicle for personal reasons.

Based on those facts, we can identify which insurance policies may be involved, such as the driver's personal auto insurance, coverage connected with Uber or Lyft, and any policies held by other drivers. We then communicate with those companies, request policy information where appropriate, and work to confirm which coverages are available under Iowa law. Our goal is to untangle the insurance pieces so you are not left guessing who should be responsible for your losses.

What Should I Bring When I First Talk With Your Attorneys About My Accident?

If you can, it is helpful to bring or have available any documents or information related to the collision. This might include the incident number or a copy of the police report, photographs of the scene and vehicles, and screenshots from the rideshare app that show the trip details. Medical records, discharge papers, and a list of providers you have seen so far are also useful.

If you do not have all of this information, we can still meet and start the conversation. We can help you identify what records we may need to request later from hospitals, clinics, or law enforcement in or near Des Moines. The most important thing is that you tell us what happened in your own words and describe how you have been feeling since the crash.

Can Your Firm Help Me If I Am More Comfortable Speaking French Or Chinese?

Yes, our firm can communicate with clients in French and Chinese. Clear communication is essential in any injury case because your rideshare accident attorney in Des Moines needs to understand your medical history, your symptoms, and your goals. When people can talk about these topics in a language they are comfortable with, it often makes the process less stressful.

If you or a family member would prefer to use French or Chinese, let our team know when you contact us. We will work to arrange conversations in that language and make sure you receive information about your case in a way that is easier to follow. Our goal is to help you understand each step so that you can make informed decisions about your rideshare claim.

How Long Does A Rideshare Accident Case Usually Take In Iowa?

The length of a rideshare injury case in Iowa can vary, and it depends on a number of factors. These include how long it takes for your medical providers to understand your injuries and treatment needs, how clearly fault can be established, and how the involved insurance companies respond. Some claims resolve through settlement, while others may require a lawsuit in a court that has authority over your case.

Our attorneys can give you a general sense of timing after we review your situation, but it is rarely possible to predict exact dates. We focus on moving your case forward while also making sure that we have the information needed to present your injuries and losses accurately. Throughout the process, we work to keep you updated so you are not left wondering what is happening.

What If I Was Partly At Fault For The Crash While I Was In A Rideshare?

Even if you believe you may share some responsibility for what happened, it is still important to speak with a lawyer. Iowa uses comparative fault rules that look at how responsibility is divided among the people involved in a crash. The way these rules apply can affect whether you can recover compensation and in what amount.

Sometimes, people assume they are at fault based on incomplete information. Our attorneys can review the evidence, discuss how Iowa fault rules work, and help you understand whether you may still have a claim as a rideshare passenger, driver, or occupant of another vehicle. You do not have to make that judgment alone or rely only on what an insurance company tells you.

How Will Your Firm Keep Me Updated About My Case?

We know that one of the biggest frustrations people have with legal matters is feeling like they are in the dark. Our goal is to maintain regular communication so you understand what is happening and why. At the beginning of a case, we talk with you about how you prefer to receive updates, whether that is by phone, email, or other methods.

As your rideshare claim progresses, we check in about important developments, such as medical updates, responses from insurers, and any court deadlines that may apply in Des Moines or surrounding counties. With after-hours intake answering, you can reach someone to start a conversation even outside standard business hours, and our attorneys then follow up to address your concerns in more detail.

We also encourage you to contact us when you have questions or when something changes in your medical condition