Uber Accident Lawyer and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Springfield
Hurt in a Ridesharing Accident in Illinois? Call Our Uber Accident Lawyer and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Springfield, IL
Although there are many ways to get around in Illinois, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services are widely used now as a means of transportation. They are affordable and convenient, allowing people to get where they need to go. Some rideshare users may utilize the service for nights out around town, while other users may use the service as a way to get to and from work or while on vacation. Whatever the reason, rideshare services can be great opportunities for users to get wherever they need to go. However, like any automobile, the Uber accident lawyer and Lyft accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office know ridesharing accidents can and do happen in Illinois.
In fact, rideshare accidents are actually quite common, especially in urban areas. The rideshare company Uber’s self-reported statistics reveal that they have at least 100 fatalities each year. Some studies claim that ridesharing apps have overall increased national traffic fatalities by 2-3%. Adding to the difficulty of ridesharing accidents is that it can be difficult to know what to do and how to seek compensation if you are injured in a crash because of many layers of liability and insurance coverage.
That’s why victims and their families who have been injured in a ridesharing accident in Illinois should call the Uber accident lawyers and Lyft accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office. Their car accident lawyers understand how serious personal injuries can be from ridesharing accidents and are prepared to help victims injured recover the compensation they deserve for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. To learn more, contact them today to schedule a FREE consultation at (217) 414-8889.
Why Ridesharing Accidents are Different
Although a ridesharing accident may appear to just be another type of car accident, that is simply not true. There is a complex relationship between the ridesharing company, the driver, and the different levels of insurance coverage. These layers get magnified when a third-party driver is at fault for the crash, or if your injuries and damages are higher than all policy limits and you need to apply for your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
Because of these factors, anyone who is injured in a ridesharing accident in Illinois should contact a personal injury lawyer who identifies as an Uber accident lawyer or a Lyft accident lawyer. These guarantees that you find a lawyer who realizes the different relationships between the parties and insurance, as well as finding someone with experience in handling these types of cases.
To this extent, some questions you can ask a prospective ridesharing accident lawyer include the following:
- Have you handled an Uber accident case or a Lyft accident case before?
- Can you help me obtain medical records, insurance information, police reports, and investigate liability?
- How many depositions have you taken in the last few months?
- How many trials have you done?
- Where will the ridesharing accident lawyer handling my case be located?
Who is Liable in an Uber Car Accident or Lyft Car Accident in Illinois?
Motor vehicle accidents involving a rideshare service are often complex. After a serious rideshare accident causing catastrophic or fatal injuries, oftentimes victims and their families face significant expenses due to medical bills, lost wages from being out of work, funeral and burial expenses if fatal injuries occurred, or expenses as a result of injuries and other losses in a rideshare accident. Victims and their families are strongly encouraged to reach out to an experienced rideshare accident lawyer if they faced any of these losses as a result of the accident.
This is because liability in rideshare accidents is often different from typical accidents. In the case of a traditional car accident, liability is placed on the at-fault driver. However, when the accident is caused by a rideshare driver, liability is a grey area. Companies like Uber and Lyft have attempted to avoid liability in several ways that may trap an inexperienced lawyer.
For example, ridesharing companies refer to their drivers as “independent contractors” or “freelancers.” This is significant because an employer is responsible for the negligent actions of an employee, but not for an independent contractor or freelancer. Thus, most times a ridesharing company will immediately try to deny a claim on this ground. They may try to offer some money as a “white hat solution” to make it seem like they are a good guy, even when they are obliged to pay anyway.
Ridesharing Insurance Coverage for Motor Vehicle Crashes in Illinois
Indeed, Uber and Lyft do possess a $1 million insurance policy that covers passengers and drivers who are injured in car accidents. The insurance policy covers rideshare passengers hurt while riding in a rideshare vehicle, rideshare drivers who are injured in an accident caused by another motor vehicle driver, and any other drivers, motor vehicle riders, or bystanders injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver.
Uber and Lyft also have additional requirements specific to their rideshare service. These requirements include the following:
- Uber – Uber mandates that all Uber drivers carry personal insurance coverage at their state-mandated minimum.
- Lyft – Lyft requires drivers to also carry their own insurance policy. However, the company’s $1 million dollar insurance policy can only be utilized if the driver’s insurance will not cover the cost of the accident or if the driver was in the middle of transporting a person at the time of the accident.
Despite this Coverage, Don’t Call Them First!
It is always a good idea to reach out to an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield, IL who knows how to navigate the appropriate avenues to recover the compensation you deserve. If you make the attempt to call the rideshare company after you or your loved one was injured in a rideshare accident, you likely will be transferred to their lawyer or insurance company.
Insurance companies are not known for fairly compensating victims for their injuries, and likely will try to deny your claim, or grossly under-compensate you for injuries and losses sustained. If you try to speak with your own insurance company, they will likely tell you that you must recover compensation from the liable party, not your own insurance company. This may leave you feeling confused and unsure of what to do.
Always contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Springfield or Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield like the compassionate and skilled team at the Noll Law Office. They will help you fight back against these large, multi-national companies.
Important Steps to Take After an Uber Car Accident or Lyft Car Accident in Illinois
There are certain steps you should take after a rideshare accident that can help you recover the compensation you deserve. These steps include the following:
- Call 911 – It is important to be assessed by a medical professional to determine if you have any injuries that may require medical attention. Sometimes a victim may be too injured to call 911, and another individual must make that call for them.
- Take a screenshot of your open ridesharing app – It is important to do this while still at the scene of the accident to prove the exact location you were at the time of the accident, as well as to show that the ride was still in progress at the time of the accident. This is because Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services will attempt to deny your claim by saying that the ride had not started or was over, that you were not engaged in a ride at all but as a friend, or otherwise contest that their service was being used. The screenshot you take can be used as evidence to help you recover the compensation you deserve by demonstrating that you were indeed a passenger in a ride when an accident occurred.
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident – While police may take their own photos of the accident, it is a good idea to take photos yourself. This is because you may take photos that they did not and could serve as vital evidence to help your case. It is wise to take photos of the scene of the accident, including any debris or signage. However, if you were severely injured, do not attempt to take photographs as the defense lawyer may try to diminish any injuries you have suffered based on your ability to take the photographs.
- Collect contact information from witnesses – If witnesses were present and are willing, it is a good idea to take down their contact information, as they may help if your case needs to go to trial and witnesses are needed.
- Always get evaluated by medical professionals, and always go to the hospital if it is recommended – This is no time to play hero, all injuries or aches from an accident need to be reported to a first responder. If it is recommended that you go to the hospital for further evaluation and testing, no matter how inconvenient this may be, always go. This will not only help protect your claim, but it may also help protect your life.
- Contact an experienced ridesharing accident lawyer – You should also strongly consider hiring a personal injury law office that is knowledgeable and experienced with handling Uber car accident and Lyft car accident cases. Will your ridesharing driver be responsible? Perhaps the driver of the other car will be held liable. The Noll Law Office can sort out the circumstances of your ridesharing accident, and help you navigate the complicated insurance process. These claims can take the form of filing a claim with the individual who hit you, filing uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist claims, or, at times, involving “joint tortfeasor” litigation. Having experienced attorneys such as the Noll Law Office lawyers can greatly reduce confusion and stress.
What is the Rideshare Accident Injury Claim Process?
As with any car accident, you must be able to establish liability and damages when bringing an Uber/Lyft claim. If another driver is at fault for hitting your Uber/Lyft vehicle, then that driver’s insurance should be contacted with a demand to cover your damages that were caused by the collision. If your ridesharing driver caused the accident, it becomes more complicated.
Unless your ridesharing driver has purchased a ride-sharing endorsement on their policy, a personal insurance policy may not cover your injuries. Therefore, Uber and Lyft usually offer liability insurance to their drivers. The driver’s own insurer typically first denies the claim before the Uber and Lyft insurance policy will “kick in.”
The policies are very complex and can vary from year to year. Therefore, you should speak with an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield immediately if you are facing a bodily injury claim, to avoid unnecessary complications with coverage.
What is My Uber Car Accident or Lyft Car Accident Injury Worth?
Every case is different. You will see a lot of law firms promising results, however, calculations are typically calculated by adding up your medical bills, reviewing any physical disabilities or scarring that exists once you reach “maximum medical improvement,” consideration of things like pain and suffering, and tallying up your lost wages. Your future medical bills should be considered, alongside what future medical treatments you may require as a result of the accident. In severe cases, such as paralysis, this may often involve the provision of costs for specific types of medical equipment and assistance with activities of daily limited.
In routine cases, your damages will probably include your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When the total amount is calculated, your attorney will often submit a demand on your behalf itemizing your damages. Negotiations will then take place as your attorney fights for a fair settlement. If there is no agreement regarding a settlement amount, your case will go to trial where a jury or judge will decide the outcome.
How Can Noll Law Office Help Me After a Ridesharing Accident in Illinois? Call Their Uber Accident Lawyer and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Springfield, IL
Choosing the best Uber accident lawyer and Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield, Illinois can seem like an overwhelming process. It becomes less overwhelming when you consider what you want and need from your attorney. It is recommended that you find a ridesharing accident lawyer who is willing to meet with you individually from your first appointment, onward. In addition, you should find an attorney who is familiar with personal injury litigation and has extensive experience with the insurance claims process.
The Noll Law Office lawyers believe that honest, ongoing client communication, combined with extensive litigation experience, is the key to positive outcomes. As highly successful accident attorneys, the Noll Law Office attorneys take pride in aggressively litigating cases, while providing compassionate, honest advice to their clients. If you want to speak with qualified and experienced attorneys, Daniel and Sarah Noll are waiting to help you. Contact Noll Law Office today—the first consultation is always free.
Ridesharing Accident Case Illustration
Jennifer and her husband Hank are on vacation in Springfield, Illinois. Rather than rent a car, they are using Uber and Lyft ridesharing services to get to and from the Abraham Lincoln historic sites. As they leave the Lincoln Depot to visit Lincoln’s home one day, another driver runs a stop sign, t-boning the Uber driver’s vehicle squarely on the side. Jenifer and Hank are taken to the local St. John’s Hospital emergency department for care. Hank has relatively minor injuries, but Jenifer is severely hurt, with rib and spinal fractures accompanied by internal bleeding.
Not only has their vacation been derailed, but now they are facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, with a prolonged hospital stay and rehabilitative care after the hospitalization. Jenifer and Hank could dramatically benefit from speaking to a knowledgeable Uber accident lawyer and Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield so they can determine the best next steps to take. The Noll Law Office personal injury lawyer can help determine who is liable in a rideshare accident and help them navigate the insurance claims processes.