Chicago, IL Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Skilled Attorneys for Clients Injured in Accidents With Uber or Lyft Drivers in Chicago, Illinois

Rideshare services can provide alternatives to taxis or other modes of transportation. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare platforms connect passengers with drivers throughout Chicago and the suburbs. However, with more and more rideshare vehicles on the streets throughout the area, new safety concerns have arisen. When rideshare drivers are involved in car accidents, complex legal issues may need to be addressed. Passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians who suffer injuries in rideshare accidents will need to understand their legal options, and they can do so with the help of an experienced lawyer.

The attorneys at Gallagher & Kosner Law help people navigate the unique challenges that they may face after rideshare accidents. We understand the complex regulations that affect rideshare services in Illinois and the tactics that insurers may use to avoid paying fair compensation. Our legal team can investigate an accident, identify the parties who may be held liable, determine which insurance policies will apply, and work to obtain the financial compensation needed to address a person's injuries and losses.

How Rideshare Drivers May Become Involved in Accidents

Understanding why a rideshare accident has occurred can help to establish liability and ensure that a victim will have a strong claim for compensation. Distracted driving is a significant concern affecting rideshare drivers. They will need to constantly interact with smartphone apps as they accept ride requests, view pickup locations, follow GPS navigation, communicate with passengers through messaging features, and mark trips as complete. Performing these actions while driving can cause a driver to fail to notice a red light or a pedestrian in a crosswalk, which can lead to an accident.

Unfamiliarity with routes and neighborhoods is another concern when rideshare drivers transport passengers to areas they have never visited before. They will often rely entirely on GPS directions, and they may need to make sudden lane changes, unexpected stops, or other abrupt maneuvers. These unsafe behaviors can lead to dangerous accidents.

Fatigue can affect rideshare drivers who work long hours. Because rideshare drivers may work whenever they choose, they may drive for extended periods without receiving enough rest. Some drivers work full-time jobs and then drive for rideshare companies during evenings and weekends. A driver who has been behind the wheel for a long time or is tired or drowsy due to a lack of sleep may experience reduced alertness and slower reaction times, increasing the risks of an accident.

Vehicle maintenance issues can also be a factor in rideshare accidents. Drivers use their personal vehicles, and they are required to perform the proper maintenance and repairs. Constant use of a vehicle when working for rideshare companies can lead to wear on brakes, tires, and other critical parts. If a driver does not perform necessary maintenance, issues such as worn brakes or bald tires may affect their ability to maintain control or avoid a collision.

Inadequate driver screening by rideshare companies can allow dangerous drivers to transport passengers. While companies may conduct basic background checks, these screenings may not identify drivers who have a history of unsafe driving or criminal records. Dangerous drivers who are allowed to transport passengers may cause accidents that could result in serious injuries.

The Complex Web of Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Accidents

Determining which insurance policy or policies may provide coverage for a rideshare accident is often one of the most challenging aspects of these cases. Coverage will often depend on the driver's status at the time of the accident. When a rideshare driver is offline, only their personal auto insurance policy will apply. Standard personal policies will typically exclude coverage for commercial activities, so a driver's insurer may deny claims related to rideshare work. This can create gaps in coverage that may affect a victim's ability to obtain compensation.

Once a driver logs into a rideshare app and becomes available to accept ride requests, limited liability coverage from the rideshare company will usually be available. If an accident occurs during the period before a driver accepts a ride, the coverage provided by rideshare companies will typically have lower limits than when a driver is actively transporting passengers.

After a driver accepts a ride request and until the passenger exits the vehicle, a rideshare company's commercial insurance policy will generally provide a higher level of coverage. Uber and Lyft maintain liability policies with limits of at least one million dollars that may apply in these situations. While these policies are meant to provide protection for injury victims, obtaining compensation will often require a person to deal with complex procedures related to insurance claims, and they may need to overcome resistance from insurance adjusters.

The transition between coverage periods can create confusion and disputes. If an accident occurs a few seconds after a driver drops off a passenger but before they accept a new ride, questions may arise about which level of coverage will apply. Insurance companies may attempt to deny or devalue claims, leaving victims caught in the middle as they try to obtain the financial compensation they deserve.

Obstacles Injury Victims May Face After Rideshare Accidents

People who have been injured in accidents with rideshare drivers may encounter a variety of difficulties as they take steps to recover compensation. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers who work to minimize payouts. They may dispute the severity of a person's injuries, argue that pre-existing conditions caused symptoms, or claim that an accident occurred during a coverage gap.

Determining the driver's status at the time of the accident may require an investigation. Rideshare companies control the data showing when drivers were logged in, when they accepted rides, and when trips ended. Obtaining this information can be difficult, and companies may try to avoid providing records that could be used to hold them liable for an accident.

Rideshare accidents may also involve confusion about where to file claims. Victims may receive conflicting information from different insurers, and they may worry that saying or doing the wrong thing could prevent them from obtaining compensation. Without legal guidance, people may accept inadequate settlements from one insurer while being unaware that additional coverage exists.

Contact Our Chicago Rideshare Accident Attorneys

At Gallagher & Kosner Law, our lawyers work to minimize the burdens that people may face following rideshare accidents. We can deal with insurance companies and address legal concerns while an injury victim focuses on recovering from their injuries. We can take steps to obtain information from a rideshare company, gather evidence from the scene of an accident, and document a person's injuries while taking steps to establish liability.

We work hard to hold negligent drivers and rideshare companies accountable while helping our clients secure full compensation for their injuries. Contact our Chicago, IL Uber/Lyft accident lawyers at 312-910-5050 to arrange a free consultation and get effective legal representation.