Peoria, Illinois, has a population of almost 110,000, making it one of the ten largest cities by population in the state [1]. Such a populated area means there is a lot of traffic, forcing many to seek alternative travel options like ridesharing services. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are all too common in Peoria County, and they sometimes involve a rideshare vehicle.
If you are hurt in a ridesharing accident, then you may need legal representation to navigate the claims process afterward. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have plenty of experience in accidents involving ridesharing services, and our team can help you pursue compensation, starting with a free consultation.
Knowing what to do after an accident occurs is key to protecting yourself physically and financially. The more closely you follow these steps, the more likely you are to win a personal injury case. Otherwise, your case could be compromised when it comes up against local laws or the resources of an insurance carrier. Here is what you should do immediately after an accident involving ridesharing services:
- Call 911 – The sooner you get the authorities and medical personnel on the scene, the better. They can conduct an investigation of the incident and treat your injuries.
- Seek medical attention – Your health is your first priority, so seek treatment from emergency services if necessary. Official records of medical care will also be useful for your claim as evidence.
- Gather information – Before you leave the accident scene, collect as much information as possible, including insurance coverage information, driver’s license information, images of the scene, and witness statements. This data will be helpful in supporting your claim.Â
- Contact a Peoria ridesharing accident attorney – With personal injury attorneys from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers on your side, you will stand the best chance of earning fair compensation.
Getting into an accident involving a rideshare driver is a little more complicated than a normal car accident.
First, you are dealing with an employee of a company rather than just another driver. Second, the driver’s insurance coverage and (perhaps) their employer’s insurance will play a role in the claim. If there is a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, then this adds another layer of complexity.
Navigating these additional aspects can be complicated, so it is best to hire a Peoria car accident attorney who has experience in this type of accident.
Common Causes of Ridesharing Accidents
A car collision with a ridesharing vehicle can occur for a number of reasons. The cause of the collision will play an important role in filing your claim and supporting the case with evidence. Here are some of the most common causes of rideshare car accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Poor road conditions
- Adverse weather
- Reckless driving
- Fatigue
- Inexperience
- Looking for passengers
- Lane changing
- Speeding
- Vehicle malfunctions
Common Injuries Sustained in Rideshare Accidents
A car accident can lead to a serious personal injury. Injuries can be minor depending on the severity of the accident, but they could also be life-altering or even fatal. Common injuries sustained in accidents involving a rideshare vehicle include the following:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Nerve damage
- Crush injuries
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Death
The Importance of Hiring a Peoria Ridesharing Accident Lawyer
Pursuing compensation to cover lost wages or medical bills is a complicated process. You are going up against the rideshare driver, their insurance company, and lawyers representing the defendant.
In some cases, the ridesharing companies themselves may even be involved. Finding success against all these parties on your own is a huge challenge, which is why you need your own personal injury attorneys.
A Peoria rideshare injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can strengthen your case significantly.
First, we offer a free consultation to discuss the nature of your claim. Next, we will investigate how the accident occurred to establish liability and collect evidence. Negotiating with the insurance company can result in a higher settlement for your damages. If the case goes to court, which is unlikely, we will represent you throughout the proceeding.
Experienced attorneys will level the playing field against the insurance company and ridesharing company.
If you are in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, the liable parties could be numerous, not just the drivers. Here are a few examples of potential liable parties.
- Ridesharing driver – The driver is often the liable party if they were negligent, whether they were on the clock or not.
- Rideshare company – Though rideshare companies themselves are rarely held liable, it is possible for them to be partially at fault in certain cases.
- Rideshare passenger – In some cases, the actions of the passenger in a rideshare vehicle could have distracted the driver and led to an accident.
- Other drivers – Another vehicle could have caused the collision that involved rideshare vehicles as well.
- Auto manufacturers – If a vehicle malfunctions and causes an accident, the manufacturer of that vehicle or part could be held liable.
- Government agencies – Poorly maintained roads can cause an accident, so the Peoria agency responsible for maintaining the road may be at fault.
The Time Limit to Take Legal Action in Peoria, IL
In Illinois, there is a statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. If you wait until after this time limit, your case may be dismissed. For personal injuries, the limit is two years from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury.
If you need a Peoria wrongful death attorney because your family member died in a ridesharing accident, then you will have two years from the date of your loved one’s death.
Personal injury attorneys from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will assess damages in your case to determine how much you could potentially recover. The amount depends on numerous factors, including the other driver’s insurance coverage, the insurance coverage of the rideshare company, the severity of your injuries, and the impact those injuries have on your life.
These damages fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
- Economic damages – These include lost income, medical expenses, property damage, lost future earning potential, funeral expenses, burial costs, and future medical costs.
- Non-economic damages – These include emotional suffering, physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, disfigurement, and loss of companionship in the case of wrongful death.
- Punitive damages – In rare cases, punitive damages may be assessed against the defendant if their actions were particularly malicious or intentional.
Peoria personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. When you are struggling with medical expenses or lost wages, the last thing you need is additional attorney fees. With a contingency fee agreement, our rideshare accident attorneys only get paid if they win your case, and our payment is simply deducted from the final settlement amount.
This arrangement reduces the financial burden on injured victims while motivating our team to work hard on your behalf.
When injured victims don’t know where to turn after accidents involving ridesharing services, experienced attorneys from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help. Whether you are hurt while making a ride request or while operating another vehicle, pursuing compensation can help you secure your finances when injuries derail your future. Our team will help you receive the maximum amount of compensation from the insurance coverage of the at-fault party so you can focus on physical and emotional recovery from your injuries.
Contact our team today at 888-424-5757 or through our online form to get your free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Resources: Â [1] World Population Review
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