Uber and Lyft Passenger Injury Lawyer
Our Chicago law firm can handle your accident claim and fight for you
Ridesharing in congested cities like Chicago have become increasingly popular in recent years. Unfortunately, rideshare accidents involving Uber, Lyft or another rideshare company sometimes happen. When they do, rideshare passengers sometimes get hurt.
3 Things Every Uber and Lyft Passenger Should Know Before Every Trip
Knowing what your rights are as an injured rideshare passenger might not be clear. Even knowing what your options are can be confusing. That’s why it’s critical that you talk to an experienced Chicago Lyft and Uber accident attorney at Keating Law Offices, P.C. as soon as possible after your crash.
Our knowledgeable lawyers can answer any legal questions you might have and explain your options. Once you decide what you want to do, we can then get straight to work on your case. This includes searching for the evidence you need to demand the compensation you deserve.
I was a passenger in an Uber accident. What are my rights?
In most cases, you will need to take legal action directly against the rideshare driver who was operating the vehicle at the time you were riding in it. Uber and Lyft drivers are required to have special insurance specifically while working as a rideshare driver.
One of the most complicated legal issues that often comes up is whether the rideshare driver was on duty at the time of your accident. In general, the driver is considered on duty if they were engaged in any of the following activities:
- Driving with a customer in the vehicle
- Responding to a request from a customer
- Looking up directions for a rideshare job
- Driving to pick up a rideshare customer
If you were a passenger in a Lyft or Uber vehicle involved in an accident, you deserve to be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses. This often includes medical bills, lost income during your recovery, lost future income if you cannot return to work and other-related expenses.
What happens if my Uber driver gets into an accident?
If your Uber driver gets into an accident while you're a passenger, your top priority should be your health. Get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay at first. After that, things can get a little more complicated from a legal standpoint.
You’ll usually have the option to file a claim through the rideshare company’s insurance, your own insurance (if applicable), or even both. However, the process isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s why it’s important to speak with a lawyer who can determine the best legal strategy for your case and make sure nothing is overlooked.
Who is liable for my injuries in a rideshare accident?
Liability in a rideshare accident isn’t always clear. As a passenger, though, you usually aren’t at fault, so the question becomes: who is?
Here are the possibilities:
- Your rideshare driver is at fault: You may be able to file a claim against their personal auto insurance and the Uber or Lyft insurance policy if they were actively driving for the app.
- Another driver caused the crash: You can pursue a claim against that driver’s insurance. If they don’t have enough coverage (or any coverage) Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy may step in to help.
- Both drivers share fault: You might have claims against both insurance companies. A lawyer can help you coordinate these claims.
Third parties such as vehicle manufacturers or government agencies: In rare cases, a road hazard, defective car part, or another outside factor may make a third party liable.
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage
In most cases, as an injured Uber or Lyft accident passenger, you will likely pursue compensation directly from the rideshare driver’s insurance company. There may be other avenues for you to pursue for financial compensation, including uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
While every case is different, the main requirement for rideshare companies UM/UIM insurance coverage to apply requires the accident to occur while transporting a passenger or while en route to pick up a passenger. There are other relevant factors in UM/UIM rideshare claims that depend on whether the injured party was the rideshare driver or passenger.
If you’re hurt in a Lyft or Uber passenger accident, you have several factors to consider when it comes to UM/UIM claims. This is in large part due to their limited, if any, involvement in causing the accident. If you are injured while riding in an Uber or a Lyft vehicle, you can pursue UM/UIM claims with the specific rideshare company for compensation of your injuries and damages if the at-fault driver did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance. You can also file an accident claim for compensation with the rideshare company if you were injured in an accident that was caused by your rideshare driver. When you are injured as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, who was at fault in the collision does not affect your right to assert a claim.
Know your rights. Contact our law firm. We can demand justice for you.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of your rideshare accident. If you were injured while you were a passenger in a rideshare, make sure you know your rights. Make sure you contact the experienced, Chicago rideshare accident lawyers at Keating Law Offices, P.C. We can review your case over the phone, via video conference or come directly to you. You decide. Schedule your free consultation today. We’re here to help you get your life back on track.
3 Things Every Uber and Lyft Passenger Should Know Before Every Trip
Here are three things that every passenger should know before getting into a Lyft, Uber or other rideshare.
- Look around before you get in and before you get out
Based on our extensive experience representing people injured in rideshare accidents, one of the most common mistakes we see rideshare passengers make is failing to keep a proper lookout when getting into or getting out of a car. Entering and exiting your rideshare carefully is one easy step you can take to ensure your own safety and the safety of those around you. You are entitled by law to be dropped off in a safe place that doesn’t block or interfere with other traffic on the road. Don’t be bashful in asking your rideshare driver to move to a different drop-off location if you feel unsafe. For example, in Chicago rideshare drivers are supposed to have been taught to not let out passengers into bike lanes.
- How to report a crash
If you are in a crash with a Lyft, Uber or other rideshare service, the rideshare company itself likely has an in-app crash reporting option. However, use this with caution. If you ultimately need to make a claim against the company, this report can be evidence and it can be used against you. Calling local police who are trained to be independent investigators to car crashes could be a better option. In fact, if a driver does not contact the authorities after a crash, they are violating Illinois law. Then, talk to an attorney and your attorney can handle the back-and-forth with the rideshare company. The personal injury attorneys at Keating Law Offices do not charge for any initial consultation about a rideshare crash and can guide you through next steps of making a claim and filing a lawsuit when it’s the right thing to do.
- Rideshare drivers can be dangerous
All too often, we read news stories about an unqualified or reckless driver working for a well-known rideshare company, like Lyft or Uber. The qualifications to work for a rideshare company are substantially lower than more regulated professional drivers who work for trucking companies or drive a taxi. A lack of qualifications, combined with the business model’s reliance on looking at a cellphone while driving, can set up the perfect storm for a dangerous situation. If you feel unsafe in a vehicle, do your best to safely find a different ride. If you are in an emergency situation, call 911. If you are not sure whether what a dangerous driver did was wrong or illegal, you can call Keating Law Offices, P.C. for a confidential and free consultation.
