Injured While Using Rideshare Apps In Chicago? Get A Lawyer
You’re heading home for the night, and you pull out your phone to call for a rideshare. Whether you call Uber, Lyft or any other ride-hailing service, you expect to make it home safely. But what happens when you are involved – or even injured – in an accident during your ride?
Your driver should call 911 right away. If they do not, if you are able, you should. Get the medical attention you need and obtain a copy of the police report of the accident. The police report and your medical records will be vital to filing a personal injury claim for compensation for your injuries.
Under premises liability law, your ride-sharing driver is responsible for anything that happens in their vehicle. , can help you advocate for your right to compensation for your injuries following an accident. Attorney L. Michael Flanagan has helped his clients obtain over $1 million in compensation for their injuries. Your compensation amount will depend on the nature of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Set up a consultation with attorney Flanagan in Chicago by calling 773-789-5870 today.
You Have To Act Quickly When Uber And Lyft Are Involved
The longer you wait to file a personal injury claim, the harder it will be to prove your case. Gathering evidence and building a strong argument is easier when the incident is recent, so you need to speak with a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible.
Attorney L. Michael Flanagan works directly with each client, including people who were injured as a tourist in Chicago. He will listen to your story and help you preserve critical evidence for the most robust case in your favor. Attorney Flanagan crafts your case with meticulous attention to the details that matter and will present it in court with a persuasive argument.
Common Injuries From Uber And Lyft Accidents
Riding in a rideshare driver’s vehicle is no guarantee you will not suffer serious injuries if you get into a car accident. Safety features like seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones and emergency warning systems reduce the odds of a crash but do not eliminate them. Also, you have no way of knowing if your driver has a history of causing car accidents. Suitcases and other objects in the trunk are typically not professionally packed and secured, so they can fly in a collision. Many rideshare accidents result in similar injuries, such as:
- Whiplash and spinal column damage
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Compound fractures and limb damage
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding, organ damage and other wounds requiring surgical intervention
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Your injuries could affect you for a few months as you heal, or disable you for the rest of your life. The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on the details of how you have been affected and expect to be affected in the future. Attorney Flanagan regularly handles car accident claims involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. He will determine precisely the level of loss you have experienced due to a negligent Lyft or Uber driver and pursue the highest compensation possible for your injuries as a passenger.
What Happens When Rideshare Drivers Are Hurt?
Rideshare companies require their drivers to sign certain waivers to indemnify them in case of a car accident. However, that does not mean the companies are totally excused from legal responsibility every time a driver gets hurt while working. Many legal experts argue that rideshare drivers who work for Uber and Lyft in the gig economy are those companies’ employees, not contract workers, and therefore are entitled to workers’ compensation when they get injured in the course of their work duties. This is a developing area of the law that will profoundly affect rideshare drivers’ rights in the years to come.
Rideshare Car Accident FAQ
Read on for general answers to some frequently asked questions about auto accidents involving a rideshare vehicle:
Who pays for an injury when Uber or Lyft is involved?
Rideshare companies require their drivers to carry collision insurance. If a rideshare driver causes injuries in a car accident while transporting a fare or on the way to pick somebody up, they are the primary party to pursue compensation from. But if the cost of your injuries exceeds the level of insurance the driver carries, supplemental insurance carried by their rideshare company could make up the difference.
Can anyone be my rideshare driver?
Someone who wants to become a rideshare driver in Chicago must be at least 19 years old, have a valid driver’s license, pass a criminal background check, and have no more than two moving violations or any major violations within the past three years. These regulations are intended to weed out reckless and dangerous motorists from becoming rideshare drivers, though they cannot guarantee that your next driver will not cause a terrible crash.
Does it matter if one person is uninsured in a rideshare accident?
If you get into a crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft and the other driver, not the person driving you, caused the wreck, they should be the ones to pay for your damages, generally through their insurance. However, if the driver was uninsured or their insurance was not enough to cover your damages, Lyft and Uber both carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. You can pursue a claim through that.
Speak To An Experienced And Caring Personal Injury Attorney
Attorney Flanagan will walk you through the details of premises liability law, so you know what is ahead. Reach out online or call Flanagan Injury Law Group, LLC, in Chicago to set up a meeting to discuss your legal options. Your initial consultation is free.
