If you were injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, or the driver for any Chicago rideshare service or food delivery service, you may be able to recover up to $1 million and perhaps even more to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost time from work.
Sorting through the maze of complicated insurance coverages and dealing with powerful rideshare companies without a rideshare accident lawyer, however, can put a strain on your pocketbook, your peace of mind, and your recovery. Let an Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at Strom Yen Injury Attorneys help you move forward after your crash.
Crash Course on Rideshare Accidents in Illinois
Rideshare drivers in and around Chicago are often faced with demanding schedules that put them behind the wheel for 30 or more hours per week. The more time drivers spend on the road, the more likely they are to become fatigued or distracted while driving. This in itself significantly increases the chances of rideshare drivers causing an accident. Add to the mix that many Uber & Lyft drivers have relatively no training, work for two or more companies to increase their income, and can become quite aggressive in trying to collect as many fares as possible, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To learn more about filing a rideshare accident lawsuit, call the attorneys at Strom Yen Injury Attorneys, and let’s talk about your case for free.
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In fact, research by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business indicates that fatality accidents have increased by approximately 3% since 2011. This is equivalent to more than 1,000 fatalities annually. The increase in traffic deaths is associated with the arrival of ride-hailing services like Uber & Lyft.
Uber Delivers US Safety Report
In 2019, Uber delivered a US Safety Report that revealed important information about rideshare accidents and sexual assaults associated with the company. The lengthy report analyzes data from 2017 and 2018. It was released amid a wave of increased scrutiny over the company’s safety practices and was the first time a major rideshare company revealed such information.
Although Uber claims to be focusing more on safety, the results of the report indicate that far more needs to be addressed. According to the report:
Currently, there are no studies that reveal the number of people who were seriously injured in Uber accidents. Lyft and other major rideshare and delivery services that operate in Chicago have yet to release safety reports.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit?
You don’t have to be an Uber or Lyft passenger to file a rideshare accident lawsuit with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago. Other types of victims who may have a claim against these rideshare giants include:
Drivers who are using Uber or Lyft platforms and are injured in crashes caused by another motorist’s negligence.
Passengers and drivers who are riding in other motor vehicles when they are injured in a crash caused by drivers who are using the rideshare platforms.
Pedestrians who are injured in accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles.
Pedicyclists Who Are Seriously Injured In Uber Or Lyft Accidents.
Surviving Family Members Of People Who Are Killed In Rideshare Accidents.
Uber & Lyft Drivers Must Carry at Least $1 Million to Cover Bodily Injuries, Lost Wages and Medical Bills
If you were injured or your loved one was killed in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be able to recover up to $1 million in compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Since the laws involving rideshare accidents are continually changing, however, and a labyrinth of insurance policies with varying coverages may apply, victims often find themselves facing lengthy court battles without help from a rideshare accident lawyer.
Your Guide to Rideshare Accident Insurance Coverage
The rideshare driver’s activity at the time of the crash holds a significant impact on the level of insurance coverage that may apply. To simplify Uber & Lyft accident liability coverage, the rideshare driver’s activity is divided into three categories.
Activity
The first level of insurance coverage applies if a rideshare accident occurs when the Uber or Lyft driver is not logged into the app to accept rides. If you are injured during this phase, the negligent driver’s personal insurance policy should pick up the tab. Although personal insurance policies do not typically offer the coverage levels that are provided by Uber & Lyft, a rideshare accident lawyer may still be able to help you recover a substantial amount of compensation for your losses.
Not Transporting Passengers
If the rideshare driver was using the Uber or Lyft platform and awaiting passengers when the accident occurred, the second level of insurance coverage applies. The driver’s personal insurance provides primary coverage, but if the limits are exhausted or the driver doesn’t carry the mandatory coverage, excess damages of up to $50,000 for one injured victim and up to $100,000 for two or more victims are covered by Uber & Lyft contingent insurance policies.
and Transporting Passengers
If the Uber or Lyft driver had already accepted a ride request through the rideshare platform when your accident occurred, the third level of insurance applies. With this level of activity, the Uber or Lyft commercial liability insurance policy is generally primary. People who are injured in rideshare accidents during this phase may be able to recover up to $1 million for one victim, and up to $2 million for two or more victims. This level of coverage continues until the rider is dropped off, and the ride has ended in the app
“Professional, ethical, and down right Great Human being. Kevin Yen and the staff at Strom Yen Injury Attorneys put forth great efforts and I received great results. If you need an attorney that will fight for you please do NOT hesitate contact Strom Yen Injury Attorneys! They are the Real Deal! Thank you again.”
How to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in Chicago
Uber & Lyft insurance representatives can be ruthless and will likely go to great lengths to minimize your claim, try to place liability on other parties and their insurance companies, or even blame you for the crash. An experienced Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at our law firm will help ensure these rideshare giants don’t escape liability for your losses.
Multiple parties may be liable for your rideshare accident. A rideshare accident lawyer with Strom Yen Injury Attorneys can help ensure all liable parties are held accountable, optimizing your recovery.
You could waste valuable time and significant amounts of money trying to handle a rideshare accident lawsuit on your own.
Your access to medical treatment could be delayed. Our Uber & Lyft attorneys can help you get medical care while you wait for your personal injury settlement to arrive.
By speaking with Uber & Lyft insurance companies directly, you could even jeopardize your ability to recover compensation for your losses. When you work with our rideshare accident attorneys, we’ll negotiate with these companies on your behalf, preserving your right to recovery.
How the Rideshare Lawyers at Strom Yen Injury Attorneys Can Help Make the Most of Your Accident Case
If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, don’t try to handle your case on your own. Going up against rideshare giants like Uber and Lyft, and the experienced attorneys that represent them, can be quite a challenge. These companies will stop at nothing to minimize your injuries, deny liability, and even point the blame on you to avoid paying for your losses. You need a rideshare accident attorney on your side to level the playing field. Here’s why:
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare
Accidents in Chicago
If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Illinois, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the crash. If it is determined that the rideshare company or the driver was grossly negligent, or your injuries were caused by intentional acts, punitive damages may be awarded as well to punish the at-fault party.
Before driving for Uber or Lyft, drivers are required to undergo background checks that are performed by third-party service providers. Uber uses a company called Checkr, while background checks for Lyft drivers are performed by Sterling Solutions. These checks are designed to review the driver’s driving and criminal history and to determine whether the person is on the National Sex Offender Registry. People with more than three recent minor violations or a single recent DUI are disqualified from driving for Uber.
Victims who are assaulted by rideshare drivers who are on the job may be able to recover compensation for their injuries from Uber or Lyft if the company did not take proper measures to ensure customer safety. This includes taking reasonable and responsible measures in hiring, supervising, and training drivers. In 2019, Uber reported that the company had received more than 6,000 reports of rape and other types of sexual assault during the two years prior.
