Rideshare Accident Uber & Lyft Lawyers in Chicago

Today, many people in Chicago and throughout Illinois prefer using Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services instead of taxis, trains, or buses. Many people find that these services are easier to use and cheaper than other forms of transportation. However, the benefits come with risks. Uber and Lyft drivers get into accidents every day. Often, the ridesharing service drivers cause these crashes.

Did an Uber or Lyft driver hit you while you were driving, biking, or walking? Were you a passenger in a rideshare vehicle involved in a crash? If so, you should treat it like any other accident and immediately seek help from an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer.

The Uber accident lawyers of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. understand the latest developments in Uber and Lyft driver liability in Chicago and Illinois. If you were injured in a rideshare services accident, our lawyers will protect your rights and pursue all compensation available to you. To learn more, contact us today. Our initial consultations are always free.

Why It’s Important to Work with an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer

In the aftermath of a rideshare accident, you might find yourself facing a maze of insurance claims, legal procedures, and potential pitfalls. At times like these, having an experienced rideshare accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference. Your lawyer could help you by:

Investigating the Lyft or Uber accident to identify liable parties and useful evidence
Calculating the total value of your Lyft or Uber accident claim, including future medical expenses and lost wages
Exploring all possible sources of compensation to maximize your payout
Interviewing witnesses to obtain their accounts of the incident
Obtaining surveillance footage or photos from the accident scene
Consulting accident reconstruction experts to support your claim, as necessary
Ensuring all paperwork and legal documents are correctly prepared and submitted on time
Requesting and reviewing police reports
Analyzing medical records to determine the extent and consequences of your injuries
Protecting your rights against aggressive insurance adjusters
Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
Advising you on any potential settlement offers
Filing a lawsuit if negotiations do not result in a satisfactory settlement
Representing you in court if the case goes to trial

While Uber and Lyft accidents aren’t rare, not all car accident lawyers have experience working these complex claims. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can capably handle all aspects of your claim and guide you through the insurance process.

How Safe Are Uber, Lyft, and Other Ridesharing Services in Chicago?

While many rideshare service companies advertise their ability to provide a safe ride – especially to those who are enjoying a night on the town – statistics indicate these drivers may not be as safe as these claims suggest. A University of Chicago study found that fatal traffic accidents increased by about

three percent in the years following the emergence of these companies. And, according to its own internal data, Uber received 9,805 reports of sexual assaults in its ride from a recent four-year period, which includes 852 reports of rape. Many of the victims were its own drivers.

It’s also important to keep in mind that Uber or Lyft drivers are just regular drivers. They don’t have any special training. Some rideshare companies don’t even require them to have one year’s driving experience before allowing them to use their platform to transport passengers around the city.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car crash that involved an Uber or Lyft driver, our legal team can thoroughly investigate your case to determine if the driver’s negligence played a role. If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and more.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Chicago

Ridesharing has revolutionized modern transportation. But with the surge in rideshare popularity comes an increase in related accidents. The causes of these accidents can vary widely, but certain contributing factors emerge more frequently than others, such as:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Fatigue or drowsy driving
Driving under the influence
Reckless or aggressive driving
Mechanical failures or malfunctions
Inadequate vehicle maintenance
Driver inexperience
Failure to yield the right of way
Running red lights or stop signs
Reckless driving
Unsafe lane changes or merging
Following too closely or tailgating

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft in Chicago If a Driver Hits My Car?

Historically, accidents involving Uber and other rideshare services often resulted in a claim against the negligent rideshare driver or filing a claim with the ridesharing company’s insurance policy. This is because these services classified themselves as technology companies rather than transportation companies, and they hired independent contractors to drive for them rather than hiring employees. However, Illinois recently signed into law a bill that holds ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft to the same liability standards as other public transportation providers. This significant change stemmed from a broader move toward ensuring passenger safety and holding rideshare companies accountable for the actions of their drivers.

Here are the key developments under the new law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2024:

Definition of Common Carrier: Under the previous Illinois law, the term “common carrier” was limited to entities like taxicabs and trains in Illinois. These entities are held to a higher standardof care than private travelers since common carriers are responsible for their passengers’ safety. Under the new law, rideshare companies are now classified as common carriers.
Liability for Rideshare Companies: When rideshare companies were exempt from the common carrier status, they could often evade liability for harm caused by their drivers. This includes incidents of assault or accidents resulting from driver intoxication. However, the new law eliminates this exemption, making it easier for injury victims to hold rideshare companies accountable for such incidents.

Before the enactment of this law, there was a clear distinction between the liability of the individual rideshare drivers and the rideshare companies they worked for. Now, if a passenger suffers harm due to the intentional actions (like assault) or negligence (such as intoxicated driving) of a rideshare driver, the rideshare company can also be directly liable.

This is a significant change because it shifts some of the responsibility from the individual driver alone to the larger rideshare company. It also means victims have a greater chance of receiving fair compensation since rideshare companies typically have more substantial financial resources than the drivers they hire.

Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Companies that Operate in Illinois

In Illinois, the insurance requirements for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft vary depending on the rideshare driver’s activity at the time of the incident. The new laws did not alter these requirements:

When the Driver Is Offline:

During this period, the driver is not logged into a rideshare app, so they are just like any other private motorist in the event of an accident. Only the driver’s personal liability insurance is available. Rideshare services do not cover accidents that occur during this time. All Illinois drivers are required to carry insurance in the following minimum amounts to cover damages they cause through their own negligence:

$25,000 for personal injury per person
$50,000 for personal injury per incident
$20,000 for property damage

Uninsured motorist coverage for the same policy limits is also required.

When the Driver Is Logged in and Waiting for a Ride Request:

During this period, the driver has the rideshare app on and active but hasn’t yet accepted a rideshare request from a passenger. Even though the rideshare driver is not actively transporting a passenger, they are still operating on behalf of the rideshare company and, therefore, must carry additional coverage. For drivers with this status, rideshare companies in Illinois or drivers must carry liability insurance in the following minimum amounts:

$50,000 for personal injury per person
$100,000 for personal injury per accident
$25,000 for property damage per accident

This coverage is contingent and applies if the driver’s personal policy doesn’t provide the required limits or excludes a claim based on the policy provisions.

When the Driver Is Picking up or Transporting a Passenger:

During this period, the driver is actively transporting a rideshare passenger or on their way to pick up a confirmed fare. They are entitled to the full coverage available from the rideshare company. Uber and Lyft’s insurance policy provides up to $1,000,000 for death, personal injury, property damage, and UM or UIM (uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist) coverage.

What Are Passenger Rights for Uber and Lyft Passengers in Chicago?

Passengers in Uber accidents and Lyft accidents can suffer serious injuries that require costly medical treatment, keep them from working, and cause severe pain and suffering. If you were a passenger in a ridesharing crash, you may have several options for recovering compensation.

Identifying potentially liable parties is difficult in rideshare accident cases due to the complex interplay of personal and corporate responsibility. Depending on the specifics of the accident, there might be multiple parties against whom you could file a claim, including the following:

The Rideshare Driver

If you were a ridesharing passenger, and the Uber or Lyft driver caused a crash that injured you, you would have the right to bring a claim against the driver. This claim could be against the driver’s personal insurance (if it covers rideshare activities) or the rideshare company’s third-party liability coverage, depending on the phase of the ride.

Another Negligent Driver

If another driver was at fault for your crash, you could file a claim against that driver’s personal auto insurance just as you would in any auto accident case. But what happens if that driver has no insurance or insurance coverage that fails to fully cover all your losses? Fortunately, both Uber and Lyft provide uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage that covers passengers who are injured in crashes. The policies provide up to $1 million in total coverage for bodily injury.

The Rideshare Company (e.g., Uber or Lyft)

If the Uber driver was waiting on a fare with the app open, picking up, or transporting a passenger, you could file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance. If you have this type of personal injury claim, you could have access to up to $1 million in coverage for personal injury and property damage.

How Can Our Lawyers Help with Your Uber or Lyft Accident Claim?

The Lyft car accident lawyers of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can provide an immediate, free consultation about your ridesharing accident. The consultation will be completely confidential and carry no obligations.

If we move forward in your case, we will thoroughly investigate the accident. We will determine who was at fault and examine other potentially important issues in your case, such as:

Did Uber or Lyft conduct an adequate background check before hiring the driver?
Was the driver’s car in compliance with the ridesharing company’s standards and/or local regulations?
Did the rideshare company follow all the applicable rules regarding Illinois transportation network companies?
Did Uber or Lyft receive any complaints about the driver, and, if so, what actions did the company take?

We will closely examine the driver’s policy in your case and vigorously protect your right to be compensated if the insurer tries to avoid paying your claim.

Our law firm will also review your medical records to determine the full extent of your injuries. We may consult with experts such as life-care planners or economists to assess the impact of the crash on your future.

We will review what insurance policies apply to your case and work directly with the insurers to seek a settlement that justly compensates you for the physical, emotional, and financial harm you have suffered. We will be ready to present a strong case for you in court if it becomes necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit.

What Should I Do After a Ridesharing Accident in Chicago?

If you are involved in a car accident that involves an Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing driver, you can take immediate steps to protect your legal rights, including:

Seek medical attention. You need to get checked for injuries and seek medical treatment right away.
Report the accident to your insurer and the ridesharing company. However, when you make your report, just stick to the basic facts.
Order a copy of the crash report. The police officer who responded to the scene may have given you instructions on how to get a copy of the police report. If not, within a few days after the accident, you should be able to get a report through the law enforcement agency that responded to your crash or by going online.
Gather all your information. You should collect all documents related to your accident, including medical bills, receipts from other accident-related expenses, accident scene photos, and insurance company letters.
Refer the insurance company to your lawyer. You should not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer after a ridesharing accident until you speak with your attorney first.

Finally, reach out to an experienced lawyer who can help you pursue compensation for the harm you suffered.

Contact Our Chicago Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys Today

With a record of results that includes more than 330 multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has the skill, experience, and resources you need to protect your rights and pursue just compensation. If you suffered injuries in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, contact us for a free consultation.