Navigating an Uber car accident in Illinois can be complex, but Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to guide you through the process. From determining liability to understanding the driver’s insurance coverage, our experienced team is equipped to handle the unique challenges of Uber accident cases.
The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Uber Accident Case in Buffalo Grove, IL
Uber and other rideshare accidents can be more challenging than traditional car accidents, making legal representation invaluable to your case. Our Buffalo Grove car accident lawyers play a key role in investigating the details of your case and identifying who’s liable.
After establishing liability, a Buffalo Grove collision lawyer from our team will file a lawsuit against the responsible party. We will handle all communications and negotiations with Uber, insurance providers, and other legal teams, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Determining Liability for Uber Accidents
Liability refers to the person or provider responsible for your damages. Uber accidents are unique, and some of the factors determine who is at fault for an accident. Since Uber drivers are contractors, knowing who to sue for damages can be more complex.
In some cases, it’s possible to sue Uber directly if the driver was actively working at the time of the accident. However, if you’re involved in an Uber accident with a driver who is logged out of the app, you may need to seek compensation from their insurance provider or through a third-party lawsuit instead.
A Buffalo Grove ridesharing accident lawyer can help you thoroughly investigate your case and determine liability.
Driver’s Status
A driver’s status refers to their level of activity at the time of the accident and impacts whether insurance coverage is through their policy or Uber. Here are a few scenarios to consider:
- Offline status: When an Uber driver is offline, meaning they’re not logged into the app, they are not covered by Uber’s insurance policy. In this case, their insurance policy should cover any accident damages. If they don’t have sufficient insurance, you might seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
- Logged in waiting for a ride: Uber drivers who are logged in but waiting for a ride should be covered by Uber’s policy [1].
- En route with or without passenger: An Uber driver en route to pick up or drop off a passenger is considered active. The driver and any injured passengers should receive coverage through Uber’s insurance policy.
Negligence
Filing a personal injury case in Illinois requires proof of negligence. In an Uber accident, negligence must include a breached legal duty of care. Uber drivers who agree to transport passengers owe that passenger and other drivers on the road a standard duty of safety.
A successful personal injury lawsuit also shows the responsible party breached that duty of care by being negligent. Additionally, a personal injury case must demonstrate that negligence caused the injuries and that the injuries are eligible for compensation.
The negligence of any of the following parties could be to blame when an Uber accident occurs:
- Uber driver: An Uber driver who speeds, ignores traffic laws, or is under the influence could be negligent.
- Pedestrians: Pedestrians who cross the road in undesignated areas or who are distracted could be at fault when an accident occurs.
- Other automotive drivers: Other drivers on the road may be negligent if they’re speeding, driving under the influence, or distracted.
- Automotive manufacturer: Faulty or defective parts could make a manufacturer liable in an accident.
Buffalo Grove Uber accident attorneys can help build a successful case demonstrating each of these important elements. Your personal injury lawyer will work to prove negligence by investigating your case and collecting evidence, including driver logs, medical records, photographs and videos of the accident scene, and witness statements.
Illinois also follows comparative negligence laws, which means it’s possible for more than one party to be at fault when an accident occurs. If you were injured in a Buffalo, Illinois Uber accident, you’re able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit as long as you are less than 50% to blame.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in Buffalo Grove, IL
Timely reporting and medical care are a requirement after an Uber accident. If you or a loved one is involved in an Uber accident, make sure you take the following steps:
- Report the accident: Report the accident as quickly as possible. Illinois requires filing a crash report if the accident results in more than $1,500 of property damage. If any of the drivers are uninsured, the threshold is only $500. You have just 10 days to report the incident [2]. Contact the Buffalo Grove, IL, police by calling 911.
- Seek medical care: Immediate medical care should be a priority following an Uber accident. Some medical symptoms may not show up until later, and prolonging medical care can make injuries worse.
- Notify Uber of the accident: You should also notify Uber of the accident. You can easily report Uber accidents using the app.
- Contact a Buffalo Grove Uber crash attorney: Navigating Uber accidents can be more complex than traditional car accidents. A Buffalo Grove Uber crash lawyer can help investigate and build your case.
You Have Limited Time to Pursue Legal Action
You have a limited time to file a lawsuit for your Uber accident in Buffalo Grove, IL. Illinois limits Uber accident claims to just two years from the date of the accident. Accidents involving a loss of life and qualifying for a wrongful death case also have a two-year filing limit.
If faulty or defective automotive parts led to your Buffalo Grove accident, you must also file your product liability case within two years. Failing to file your lawsuit within the two-year time limit can make it impossible to receive compensation.
Make sure you reach out to a Buffalo Grove Uber car accident attorney as quickly as possible so they have time to thoroughly investigate your case.
Damages Our Buffalo Grove Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
Suffering a Buffalo Grove, IL, Uber car accident can lead to painful injuries and expensive damages. Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party allows injured victims to recover the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Emergency medical transportation costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
Illinois allows for both economic and non-economic damages, which means you can seek compensation for monetary and non-monetary damages. Illinois also allows for punitive damages, which are in addition to your expenses incurred.
Scheduling a free consultation with a Rosenfeld Buffalo Grove Uber car accident lawyer is a great way to determine the value of your case.
The Cost of Hiring a Buffalo Grove Uber Accident Attorney
A Buffalo Grove, IL, Uber accident can lead to high medical debt and an inability to work. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers makes fighting for the compensation you need to recover from your Uber accident easy. When you choose our Buffalo Grove personal injury lawyers, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. If we do not win your case, you don’t pay anything.
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys for an Uber Accident Lawsuit Today!
Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your Uber accident case in Buffalo Grove, IL. Our legal team has successfully represented victims of Uber and other rideshare accidents. We will stand up against the insurance company and other legal teams to protect your best interests and get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Call (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation with a Buffalo Grove Uber injury lawyer. You can also fill out our online form and we will reach out to you.
Resources: [1] Uber, [2] Illinois State Police