The University of Illinois recently found that one-third of rideshare drivers have been involved in at least one car accident while working [1]. With 206,169 people living in Champaign County [2], many of whom are college students who do not have their own vehicles, thousands of people are at risk of a car accident as they commute in someone else’s car.
Our Champaign rideshare accident attorneys work tirelessly to assist car crash victims in receiving financial compensation for their injuries. Let’s investigate the facets of personal injury law as they relate to rideshare services, including how to protect your rights when accidents occur while using rideshare.
Automobile accidents occur due to a number of reasons, many of which are due to negligence on behalf of one or more drivers.
Here are some common causes that a Champaign rideshare injury lawyer can investigate on your behalf:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield
- Road rage
- Road hazards
- Inexperienced drivers
- Tailgating
- Weather conditions
Car accidents can result in significant personal injuries. Common injuries that a rideshare car accident lawyer from our firm can assist with include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and contusions
- Facial injuries
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Death
Automobile accidents can be traumatic, but it is crucial that you act promptly to protect your legal rights and physical safety. Follow these steps to ensure you have the best chance possible at a full recovery, both financially and physically.
- Contact 911 – Stay at the scene and call 911 right away. Do not let the rideshare driver leave.
- Document the Scene – Take pictures of the property damage and of your physical injuries.
- Exchange Information – Get the name and insurance company information of the rideshare driver, as well as any other drivers involved. Be sure to speak to the responding officer so you can obtain a copy of the crash report later.
- Get Medical Attention – Always go to the hospital and get a full examination to ensure you have not been seriously harmed.
- Call a Personal Injury Attorney – Get in touch with a rideshare accident lawyer from our firm for a free consultation.
Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company Without Legal Representation
Insurance companies want to limit their liability and will work to pay you as little compensation as possible. They may claim the insurance policy does not cover certain elements of the accident, or they will attempt to blame you for the accident so you cannot recover extensive damages.
With our full understanding of all your legal options and our refined negotiation skills, our law firm will be able to hold insurance companies accountable.
A rideshare accident lawyer is a key resource when it comes to an automotive accident in Champaign, IL. We will thoroughly investigate the accident and ascertain who may be liable, providing strong evidence to prove exactly how it happened.
Our connections in various fields, including medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts, will enable us to gather solid expert testimony to prove your case.
Your Champaign ridesharing accident attorney will fully assess your personal injuries and evaluate how much in damages you may be eligible for, never settling for less than what you deserve when negotiating with insurance.
If the insurance company refuses to settle, we will take the case to court, serving as your advocate in the court system and making sure you have the best possible chance at compensation.
You may be eligible for several types of compensation after an accident, including economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages are for the financial losses caused by the rideshare accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-economic damages provide compensation for the impact this accident had on your life, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disability.
Punitive damages are a rarer form of compensation in a Champaign County rideshare accident, awarded by the courts when the liable party in the car accident acted with recklessness beyond gross negligence resulting in major personal injury for the victim. This can include things like road rage or malicious intent against a passenger.
Factors That Affect Your Settlement Amount
There is no defined settlement amount for a car accident in Champaign, IL, especially as Illinois does not impose a settlement cap for personal injury. There are numerous factors that can determine how much you can receive.
Those who have suffered more serious injuries, such as amputation, or who required extensive recovery time are likely to receive more from a car accident settlement.
The amount of coverage from the relevant insurance policy will also determine a settlement in a car accident.
Finally, Illinois’s modified comparative negligence law also plays a role in how much victims can receive in a car accident claim. This law allows you to sue if you are less than 50% responsible for the car accident, but your damages will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of blame.
For example, if your behavior contributed to distracted driving, then you may be held 20% responsible and will get 20% less.
When you meet for a consultation with a Champaign car accident lawyer from our firm, we will explore all your legal options, including how relevant laws apply to your case.
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing upfront. Our law firm will deduct our legal fees from your settlement, so you do not need to worry about bills piling up as you are recuperating.
Contact a Champaign Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Today!
Those injured in rideshare car accidents deserve justice, and our law firm seeks to represent their interests so they can recover in comfort. There are no upfront costs in working with us because we work on a contingency fee basis, and we have recovered millions on behalf of victims.
Contact a rideshare car accident lawyer from our firm at (888) 424-5757 or through our online form to schedule your free consultation today.
References: [1] UIC Today, [2] United States Census Bureau, [3] Illinois Senate Democrats