Many residents and travelers in Rockford, IL elect to take advantage of rideshare services like Uber to get around the city. These vehicles are just as likely to be involved in a car accident as any other.
Accident claims involving Uber vehicles are far more complex than typical collisions because there are multiple insurance policies involved and drivers are considered independent contractors for Uber and not employees.
To navigate this complicated process after you’ve been injured in an accident, you need accident lawyers from the trusted law firm at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Our team will help you determine what kind of claim is possible and how to navigate the case to obtain compensation for damages.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to securing the maximum compensation for clients involved in Uber accidents in Rockford. Our experienced legal team has a strong track record of handling rideshare accident cases and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.
Fatal rideshare passenger accident
Rideshare passenger shot by driver
Pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle
Rideshare driver sexual assault case
Motorcyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle
Hip and foot injury exiting a vehicle
We conduct thorough investigations to ensure all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully addressed. With our deep expertise in Uber accident claims, we navigate the complexities effectively and fight tirelessly to protect your rights.
Liability in Uber Accident Cases
Establishing liability is paramount for victims involved in auto accidents. The liable party will depend on the circumstances of the accident, and your personal injury lawyers can help you figure out who is responsible and can be held liable for your claim.
There may even be multiple parties involved in your case, which can make the claim even more complicated. Here are a few potentially liable parties.
Uber
In rare cases, Uber could be liable for the accident that led to your serious injury. Typically, the fault would lie mostly with the driver, but you could have a case if that driver was not properly vetted before being hired as an independent contractor.
Uber provides insurance coverage for up to $1,000,000 for injuries and property damage if their driver causes an accident while actively working. An accident lawyer can provide guidance if you think you may have a case against Uber itself.
Uber Drivers
In many cases, the Uber driver is the at-fault party. Settlement amounts to injured parties, such as other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, will change depending on the status of the driver. For example, if they are not actively working, compensation will come from their personal auto insurance.
If they are en route to a client or currently transporting a client, then their insurance could be supplemented by the insurance company for Uber. That includes the $1,000,000 policy. Uber drivers who cause accidents while online and ready for a trip also have third-party liability coverage through Uber for up to $100,000 per accident for injuries or $50,000 per person.
Other Drivers
Other drivers can cause accidents involving Uber vehicles as well. For these settlements, the responsible driver’s insurance company would be the entity making payments to injured victims. Coverage limits will depend on the policy the driver carries. If you have questions about establishing who the liable party is, you can ask your personal injury lawyer during a free consultation.
Minimum coverage limits in Illinois are $25,000 per person for injuries or death and $20,000 for property damage for one person. If your compensation need is greater than the other person’s insurance coverage, your own underinsured coverage may cover the difference.
Statute of Limitations for an Uber Car Accident in Rockford, IL
There are two reasons why hiring a Rockford Uber crash lawyer quickly is crucial. First, it is easier to build a case and collect evidence if the accident just happened recently. Second, you can avoid running into the statute of limitations for your case. These statutes provide a deadline for when claimants can file their cases.
In Illinois, you have two years to file a personal injury claim after your Uber accident. For product liability, the timeline is also two years for personal injuries, but five years for property damage claims.
In a wrongful death case, surviving family members have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file. Rockford personal injury attorneys can explain the statute of limitations for your specific case if you are not sure when it expires.
Most Common Causes of Uber Accidents
The cause of the car accident is just as important as who is responsible for your claim. The cause determines if negligence was involved and whether or not you have a right to pursue financial compensation for damages.
Your Rockford Uber car accident attorney can help you collect evidence to prove the cause of the collision and its effect on your life. Common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Driver fatigue
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Poor road conditions
- Adverse weather
- Lane switching
- Speeding
- Passenger behavior
- Car part malfunctions
Most Common Injuries Sustained in Uber Car Accidents
You can only receive compensation in an injury case if you have suffered from serious injuries or property damage. These injuries could put a financial burden on your shoulders that is difficult to overcome without a financial settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
With the help of a Rockford Uber car accident lawyer from our team, you stand a chance of winning compensation to cover the costs of your injuries. Common injuries sustained in car accidents involving rideshare vehicles include:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Muscle damage
- Disabilities
- Death
What to Do After an Uber Car Accident in Rockford, Illinois
To give your Rockford rideshare accident lawyers the information they need to win your case, it is important to follow the appropriate steps in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Making mistakes at this stage could undermine your case, especially since insurance companies will use every tactic imaginable to avoid paying what your case is worth.Â
Here are the steps you should follow to prioritize your health and your financial future:
- Call 911 – Contacting the authorities is important for several reasons. First, it will get emergency medical personnel on the scene to treat any injuries. Second, the police will conduct an investigation of the accident and create a report, which can serve as evidence in your claim.
- Seek medical attention – You need to take care of yourself first, so allow yourself to be examined and treated at the scene if you are injured. Further examination should happen later to check for other symptoms like a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or internal injuries.
- Gather information – If you are able, collecting information from the accident scene will help your case. This includes insurance and license information from all drivers, pictures of the scene, eyewitness statements, and a copy of the official accident report.
- Inform your insurance company – Some insurers require you notify them within 24 hours of an accident, so it is best to call them from the accident scene so you can answer any questions they have before initiating an insurance claim.
- Contact accident lawyers – The sooner you contact a Rockford Uber accident attorney from our firm, the sooner we can get started on building your case for fair compensation.
Damages Our Rockford Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
The compensation you can receive will come down to the damages you suffered from the accident. Our Uber accident lawyers will assess the impact of the collision on your life to determine how much compensation you are eligible for. There are three types of damages you can pursue after an accident involving an Uber vehicle: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic
Economic damages include lost wages, property damage, medical bills, and future medical bills for continued treatment. If a loved one dies in an accident, Rockford wrongful death attorneys can help surviving families pursue economic damages like burial expenses, funeral costs, and loss of financial support.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages include emotional suffering, physical pain, disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. For wrongful death claims, family members could receive compensation for loss of companionship or emotional distress.
Punitive
Punitive damages are only awarded to further punish a defendant who behaved with particular malice or intent. They are used rarely in rideshare accidents where there is a private vehicle driven by an independent contractor for Uber.
Contact Our Rockford Uber Accident Attorneys Today!
When you are dealing with traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, or broken bones after an accident, the financial burden can be extremely heavy on top of your physical and emotional struggles. You have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault parties to recover compensation that can help you overcome these challenges. The Uber accident lawyers from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Call our firm at 888-424-5757 for a free consultation, or fill out our contact form and a Rockford Uber crash attorney will get back to you promptly to discuss your case.