Rideshare services are common in Chicago, with Uber and Lyft taking the bulk of the market share. Unfortunately, serious rideshare crashes happen every day, often leading to devastating physical injuries and insurmountable economic burdens.
Rideshare accidents involving Uber vehicles can create complex legal situations for injured passengers, drivers and pedestrians in Chicago. When Uber crashes occur, determining liability and obtaining fair compensation from multiple insurance claims requires experienced legal representation.
We understand how abruptly a motor vehicle accident can complicate your life, and the Chicago car accident attorneys with Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, are here to lend a hand. After a Lyft crash or an Uber crash, you can count on our knowledgeable team to put you first and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (312) 701-0090 to schedule a free consultation and get started with your case. Se habla español.
Why Clients Trust Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC
- Our Chicago Uber/Lyft accident lawyers have been protecting the rights of injury victims for decades.
- We are committed to helping you secure maximum compensation for your Uber/Lyft accident claim.
- Our Aurora and Chicago-based lawyers have decades of combined experience and have helped injured victims in Illinois recover more than $10 million in damages.
- You will receive personalized service tailored to your specific circumstances and needs.
- We will handle your claim on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we secure compensation for you.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Works
Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers. Coverage amounts depend on the driving stage at which the accident occurred.
If the app is off, neither Uber nor Lyft provides coverage. The driver’s personal insurance would apply.
When the app is on, and drivers are waiting to receive a ride request, Uber and Lyft maintain insurance coverage for accidents if personal insurance does not apply in the amounts of:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury.
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
When the app is on, and drivers are en route to pick up passengers, and during passenger rides, Uber and Lyft maintain insurance coverage in the amounts of:
- At least $1 million for third-party auto liability coverage.
- First-party coverages, which may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage.
- If a driver obtains comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft maintains contingent coverage for comprehensive & collision up to the car’s actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible.
At Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, our Chicago Uber/Lyft accident attorneys will help establish the stage of your ride at which the accident occurred to prove what level of insurance coverage applies to your claim, helping you secure maximum compensation for your damages.
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Common Causes of Chicago Rideshare Accidents
Uber and Lyft accidents occur for various reasons. Some of the most common causes of Chicago rideshare accidents include:
- Distracted driving– Uber and Lyft drivers can be distracted by the same things that can distract any other driver. However, Uber drivers may also check for ride requests, respond to them, and check the Uber app, which can distract them from driving safely.
- Driving under the influence– Rideshare drivers can be guilty of driving while intoxicated, just like any other driver.
- Fatigue or drowsy driving– Many Uber and Lyft drivers work other jobs and drive as a side hustle. These hard-working drivers may be exhausted after working a long day or sleepy if they drive late in the evening.
- Equipment failure– If an Uber or Lyft driver’s vehicle fails during operation, it can lead to a tragic accident. Vehicles may fail because of a defective vehicle part or equipment, the driver’s negligence in maintaining their vehicle, or the negligence of a mechanic or vehicle maintenance company.
- Dangerous road conditions– When a road is designed dangerously or is negligently maintained, it may contribute to a dangerous accident.
- Speeding– The more rides a driver completes, the more they are paid. Many Uber and Lyft drivers trying to get their riders to and from destinations may exceed speed limits, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Looking for addresses– Lyft and Uber drivers may slow down and take their eyes off the road to look up a ride’s address, increasing the risk of accidents.
Determining the possible causes and potentially liable parties in your accident is essential to your case. We will carefully investigate your accident to identify all potential causes and liable parties, ensuring those responsible are held accountable and that the sources of compensation to cover your damages are maximized.
Statute of Limitations For Chicago Uber/Lyft Accident Claims
A statute of limitations is a law that establishes a deadline to file a claim seeking compensation for damages arising from a personal injury. As outlined in 735 ILCS 5/13-202, injury victims generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. This statute of limitations applies to claims against rideshare drivers, other motorists, and most other defendants.
If you miss your filing deadline, you will not be able to recover compensation for your damages.
However, there are several exceptions to the two-year filing deadline that may extend or shorten this timeframe. For example, if the injured party is a minor under 18, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until they turn 18, giving them until age 20 to file suit.
And the statute may be tolled if the injured person is legally incompetent or if the defendant fraudulently conceals facts essential to the claim.
On the other hand, claims against government entities face much shorter deadlines. If a city bus or other government-owned vehicle contributed to your rideshare accident, you may have as little as six months to provide formal notice of your claim and only one year to file suit under the Illinois Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act.
How An Experienced Chicago Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced Uber/Lyft accident lawyer can significantly increase your chances of recovering the maximum compensation possible for your damages. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible, and they will look for anything they can use to deny, delay, and devalue your claim.
Additionally, rideshare accident cases can be complex, so you need a Chicago personal injury attorney experienced in handling such claims. An experienced Uber/Lyft accident attorney will know how to investigate the accident to determine its cause, liability, and the stage of your ride at which it occurred.
They can take fast action to preserve essential evidence and conduct discovery to identify and gather facts to build your strongest case.
Your Chicago rideshare accident attorney can help establish and accurately value your current and future damages so you know what a fair settlement would be.
They can also help negotiate a fair settlement of your claim as quickly as possible. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, they can take your case to trial to demand the full compensation you are entitled to.
If there is any chance of a claim, be sure to take photos preserving the condition as it existed at the time of injury.
Who Might Be Injured In Uber Accidents?
Chicago Uber accident cases involve various types of victims who may have different legal rights and compensation options. Uber drivers injured while working for the company face unique challenges regarding workers’ compensation and personal injury claims against third parties.
Passenger rights in Uber crashes typically provide the strongest legal position, as passengers can pursue claims against both the Uber driver and other negligent parties involved in the collision. Pedestrians and other motorists hit by Uber vehicles also have valid claims for their injuries and damages.
What Makes Uber Accident Cases Complex?
Rideshare accident cases involve multiple layers of insurance coverage that depend on whether the Uber driver was actively transporting passengers, waiting for ride requests or driving for personal reasons.
Negligence by Uber drivers, other motorists or rideshare companies themselves can create multiple liable parties in a single accident. Our attorneys know how to conduct thorough investigations and gather evidence necessary to create compelling cases against all responsible parties.
Does Lyft/Uber Cover The Driver With Rideshare Insurance?
Like other motor vehicle accidents, you may have sufficient injury claims to be able to sue the driver directly after a ridesharing collision. If your own driver made a mistake that led to your injuries, you can seek compensation.
However, your case can get complex when dealing with insurance companies. In some cases, drivers have personal insurance policies to cover injuries in an accident. However, for many app-based services, like Uber or Lyft, the companies may offer supplemental insurance for drivers who are working at the time of the crash. As such, when injured by a gig driver, having someone on your side to help you identify all potential sources of compensation is essential.
What kind of compensation can I expect from an Uber accident lawsuit?
Fair compensation allows you to cover these and other injury expenses:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Long-term medical costs
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
Every case is unique, but our rideshare accident attorneys can help you consider all direct costs so that you do not overlook anything that may increase your financial compensation.
Why Choose Our Uber Accident Legal Team?
We handle the insurance claims and other parties in your case to take the stress out of the legal process. Our conversational approach helps you understand your options without intimidation, and we fight to get you a fair resolution of your claim.
Call Now For A Consultation
We provide free consultations without further commitment and offer contingency based fees. That means you are not required to pay for our services unless we can obtain a satisfactory outcome on your behalf.
Call us in Aurora or Chicago at (312) 701-0090 to arrange your consultation. Se habla español.