Chicago Uber Lyft Accident Attorneys
Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft have significantly transformed the transportation industry by providing passengers with unprecedented levels of convenience and efficiency. Unfortunately, accidents involving these vehicles are frequent occurrences. Accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers are complicated and the law is evolving. If you have been in a Lyft or Uber accident, you need an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Chicago from Skiba Injury Law on your side to help you recover damages from your injuries.
Uber and Lyft Usage in Chicago
Uber, Lyft and rideshare usage in Chicago is on the rise.
According to public data made available through the Chicago’s open data portal, by the end of 2023, there were more than 200,000 trips taken via rideshare apps such as Uber or Lyft each day. Trips taken through rideshare apps such as Uber or Lyft outnumbered taxicab trips by almost 10 to 1. This volume of trips accounts for millions of miles driven each day by Uber and Lyft drivers, making it easy to see how the potential for Uber and Lyft accidents is serious and real.
Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident
A car crash can be traumatic, but by staying calm and remember to take certain steps after the accident, can save rideshare accident victims time and money in the long run:
Check for Injuries
First, check yourself and everyone else involved in the
car accident for any bodily injury, including the Uber or Lyft driver. If it is safe to exit the vehicle, check on the people in the other car for injuries, and render aid if necessary. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 to request paramedics.
Report the Car Accident
If you’re in a car accident or fender bender in Chicago, it’s important to call the police. They can help investigate the fault and document the details of the accident in a police report. If the police cannot come out, be sure to head to a police station afterward and file a report. If your Uber or Lyft driver has not called the police, do so yourself. If police arrive at the accident scene, make sure to provide them with your side of the story.
Notify Uber or Lyft
Besides the police report, you should also file an accident report with Uber or Lyft. This can be done via their respective apps, or online through their websites. Like a police report, an accident report with the rideshare company will require details of the accident, such as location, what happened and description of vehicles involved. Uber and Lyft will also want to know if anyone was injured in the car accident. However, before discussing details of your injury, speak with a doctor.
Seek Medical Attention
Do not hesitate to visit a hospital after an Uber or Lyft crash. Seek
medical attention in order to assess and treat any injuries sustained. Additionally, obtaining medical care immediately after an accident is essential for creating a medical record for legal purposes.
Timely medical care addresses visible injuries and identifies underlying issues that may not be readily apparent. Medical records are instrumental in documenting the scope of injuries and the treatment received, which can significantly impact future legal claims or insurance matters.
Contact an Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney
Rideshare accidents are complex. Determining liability and determining who is at fault can require a thorough investigation. Rideshare driver’s insurance coverage also fluctuates throughout the day, depending on if they are driving, waiting for a ride request, or traveling for personal use. This complicates the rideshare company’s involvement, as they try to shift blame onto other parties. An experienced Chicago rideshare accident lawyer will know where to look and how to sort it all out when filing your personal injury claim.
Causes of Ridesharing Accidents
Examining the Causes of Ride-Sharing Accidents reveals many factors contributing to car accidents, encompassing
driver negligence and
vehicle malfunctions.
Driver negligence can manifest in various forms, including:
- distracted driving
- fatigue
- reckless behavior on the road
- speeding
- driving under the influence
- violation of traffic laws
Vehicle malfunctions can include:
- brake failures
- engine malfunctions
- malfunctions due to inadequate maintenance, manufacturing defects, or normal wear and tear
All these can present substantial hazards to Uber and Lyft passenger safety.
Who is at Fault in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and your driver gets into an accident that isn’t their fault, you would file a claim against the at-fault driver as usual. If the other driver is uninsured or their insurance doesn’t cover your damages, and you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you would file a claim with your own insurance. If you don’t have this coverage or it isn’t enough, you can file a claim against Uber or Lyft.
If you are driving and an Uber or Lyft driver hits you and the rideshare driver is at fault, you would first file a claim against the Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance. If their insurance doesn’t fully cover your injuries, you might file a claim with your own insurance if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If that still isn’t enough, and the Uber or Lyft driver had passengers or was on their way to pick up passengers, you might be able to file a claim against Uber or Lyft.
As you can see, rideshare accidents can be complicated, and hiring an experienced Uber Lyft accident lawyer is helpful.
Rideshare Insurance Coverage For Uber And Lyft Drivers
Illinois rideshare drivers are subject to
two different sets of insurance requirements.
When an Uber or Lyft driver is logged into one of the ridesharing apps, working but not carrying passengers, Illinois mandates that they must carry motor vehicle liability insurance with the following limits:
- $50,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
- $100,000 per incident in bodily injury liability coverage
- $25,000 per incident in property damage liability coverage
However, whenever an Uber or Lyft driver accepts a ride request on either of the rideshare apps, from the moment they accept the ride request until the drive is completed, Illinois requires enhanced insurance coverage:
- $1,000,000 for death, persona injury and property damage
- $50,000 minimum coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorists
This enhanced coverage must be satisfied by the rideshare driver, the ridesharing company or a combination of their policies.
What Types of Rideshare Accident Injuries Can Receive Compensation?
There are a wide range of possible injuries from an Uber or Lyft accident. The most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Scrapes and cuts
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken ribs
- Other broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Herniated disc
- PTSD
- Knee trauma
- Possible wrongful death
No matter the injuries, talk to an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer at Skiba Injury Law if you were hurt because of another driver’s negligence. We will fight for maximum compensation for your injuries. Let us help you every step of the way so you can focus on healing and recovery.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Chicago?
After a car accident in Chicago, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the resulting injuries. Typically categorized as economic or non-economic damages, some common types include:
- Medical expenses: This includes reimbursement for past and future medical bills related to the accident, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and therapy.
- Lost wages: If you miss work and, as a result, have a loss of income, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the wages you would have earned during that time.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle or other property damaged in the accident.
- Pain and suffering: Refers to the physical discomfort and emotional distress and suffering that are compensable as noneconomic damages.
- Loss of enjoyment: Arises from an inability to engage in certain activities the same way you did prior to the accident, such as playing sports or working.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: If you suffered any long-term or permanent disability or disfigurement, you may be eligible for additional compensation.
- Loss of consortium: Awarded to a spouse or family member for the loss of companionship, support, or intimacy resulting from the car accident.
The specific amount of compensation you can receive will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the available insurance coverage.
Punitive damages are a third category of damages, but these are only available in some cases. Punitive damages are awarded as punishment to deter intentional, grossly negligent, or reckless behavior that led to the rideshare accident.
Why You Need a Chicago Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Uber or Lyft accident claims are complex. Hire an experienced rideshare accident attorney to guide you through the legal processes for your rideshare accident case and manage your claim by:
- Investigating the accident to determine fault and liability
- Gathering evidence to support your injury claim
- Collect records from the Uber or Lyft driver, such as time reports
- Establishing your damages and auto accident case value
- Negotiating with adjusters for the insurance companies and rideshare companies
- File a formal lawsuit, if necessary
The attorney will handle the ridesharing company’s insurance while you focus on your physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
Chicago Rideshare Accident Lawyers for Rideshare Drivers
Like passengers, rideshare drivers can be injured in accidents and face significant medical and economic consequences. Injuries can prevent drivers from working, and vehicle damage can be costly and disruptive. Pursuing compensation from at-fault drivers, insurance companies, or rideshare corporations can be complex.
Rideshare drivers deserve support to claim compensation for:
- Medical expenses from emergency care to long-term therapy.
- Lost wages and future economic losses due to injury.
- Expenses for necessary services during recovery, like childcare.
- Non-economic impacts, such as pain, suffering, and quality of life deterioration
Uber provides a $1 million insurance policy for drivers on duty, but securing a fair settlement can be challenging. The Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Skiba Injury Law are here to help.
We assist rideshare drivers by:
- Reviewing police reports.
- Investigating accident scenes.
- Consulting experts.
- Interviewing witnesses.
- Analyzing insurance recovery options.
- Reviewing medical records and bills.
- Negotiating settlements and reducing medical bills.
- Filing lawsuits and handling litigation.
- Managing mediation or arbitration.
- Pursuing appropriate legal strategies
Rideshare drivers are vital to our economy and deserve an ally when accidents occur. Trust Skiba Injury Law to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Chicago Can Help
Without a personal injury attorney representing you, you will be at the mercy of these large, sophisticated, multimillion-dollar companies that really don’t care if you’re taken care of. Don’t let an insurance company neglect your claims and downplay your injuries caused by (or as) an Uber or Lyft driver.
You only have one chance to get what you deserve, so let the Chicago rideshare accident lawyers at Skiba Injury Law help you. We’re the experts at personal injury law and offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you pay based on the amount we recover on your personal injury claim.
