Rideshare companies are not shy when it comes to boasting about the positive impact that their services have on the customers and their drivers. Whether you live in Illinois or Arizona, it’s likely that you have benefitted from the on-demand driving services that Lyft, Uber and other rideshare companies offer. Unfortunately, it’s also likely that you’ve heard of motor vehicle accidents involving these services, too.
Rideshare companies aren’t only assertive about praising their services. They take an aggressive stance in personal injury matters as well. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a rideshare crash, you need an experienced Chicago rideshare accident lawyer and a legal team that is ready to go toe-to-toe with these entities. Our attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman have the legal skill and dedication to take your personal injury case – and win.
Not all rideshare accidents are the same, and the company involved matters enormously when it comes to determining who is liable and which insurance policies apply. Whether you were hurt in an Uber, a Lyft, a Waymo robotaxi, or an incident involving a Lime e-scooter, receiving compensation for your losses depends on the company.
Uber and Lyft are the two largest rideshare platforms operating in Illinois, Arizona, and across the country. Uber and Lyft limit their legal responsibility in many accident scenarios, though they do provide insurance coverage under specific conditions tied to the driver’s status at the time of the collision.
Coverage under both platforms generally depends on which of three phases the driver was in when the accident occurred.
Pursuing a claim against Uber or Lyft is not easy. These are large corporations with dedicated legal teams and insurance adjusters whose job is to minimize payouts to accident victims.
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company), represents a new category of rideshare-related injury claims. Waymo operates fully driverless robotaxis in several major cities, and as its fleet expands, so does the likelihood that people will encounter these vehicles or be injured in accidents involving them.
When a Waymo vehicle is involved in a crash, there is no human driver to hold at fault in the traditional sense. Instead, liability can shift to Waymo itself as the fleet operator, to the companies that designed or manufactured the autonomous driving system or its hardware components, or to other drivers on the road whose negligence contributed to the collision. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility.
Determining fault requires a careful review of the vehicle’s sensor data, software logs, braking patterns, and camera footage, all of which Waymo collects and controls. Obtaining and preserving that data quickly is critical, because it may be overwritten or lost if legal action is not initiated promptly.
Our attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman pursue every available avenue of recovery when a client is injured in an accident involving an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.
Lime operates electric scooters in cities across the country, including across Chicagoland. While e-scooters may seem like a lower-stakes form of transportation, the injuries they cause can be severe, including broken bones, head trauma, and internal injuries. Lime scooter accidents can happen for a variety of reasons: rider error, mechanical malfunction, faulty brakes or accelerators, hazardous road conditions, or the negligence of other drivers who fail to share the road safely with scooter riders.
Liability in a Lime accident depends heavily on the cause of the crash. Lime, as the company responsible for maintaining its fleet, may be held liable if a mechanical defect or inadequate maintenance contributed to the incident. If a negligent motorist struck a scooter rider, that driver and their insurance carrier may be the appropriate target for a claim. In some situations, a property owner or municipality responsible for maintaining a dangerous road surface could be partly responsible.
One important complication in Lime cases is the user agreement that riders accept before using the app. Lime’s terms include liability waivers, arbitration clauses, and other provisions designed to limit the company’s exposure to injury claims. However, these waivers are not an absolute shield. An attorney familiar with these agreements and how courts have treated them is essential to protecting your rights after a Lime-related injury.
One of the most important things to understand about rideshare accident claims is that the driver is often not the only party who can be held responsible. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may be brought against the rideshare company itself, the driver, a third-party motorist, a vehicle manufacturer, a software developer, a road maintenance authority, or some combination of these parties. Identifying every potentially liable party and pursuing all available sources of compensation is one of the most valuable things an experienced rideshare accident attorney can do for an injured client.
Serious car accident claims are rarely easy to resolve without an experienced attorney by your side. After an accident, you may take the appropriate steps to secure evidence and contact the police about the crash. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to take these actions. Incidents involving rideshare vehicles add another layer of complexity to this personal injury issue.
Our law firm investigates every angle of a rideshare accident claim. We work to identify all responsible parties, gather and preserve critical evidence, and build the strongest possible case for the compensation our clients deserve, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury. Our track record of results reflects that commitment.
In order to secure compensation, you’ll need to establish that a negligent party is responsible for the injuries that you have suffered. You’ll also need to file a claim with the correct insurance company and understand which type of policy covers your claim. Neither of these tasks is easy as it seems because:
There are other factors that can affect your outcome as well. This is where we come in. Our lawyers are well-versed in rideshare insurance policies. They know how to build strong arguments. From our Chicago law office, they are equipped to negotiate fair settlements or fight for full compensation in Illinois or Arizona courtrooms.
When you are recovering from a catastrophic motor vehicle accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you should not face these problems alone. Turn to our law firm and get a knowledgeable, aggressive legal ally in your corner.
It depends on the circumstances. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct liability in many situations. However, both companies provide insurance coverage that may apply to your claim depending on what phase of a ride the driver was in at the time of the crash. When the driver had accepted a fare and was actively transporting a passenger, the company’s $1 million liability policy is generally available. An attorney can review the specific facts of your accident and advise you on which parties and which policies to pursue.
Autonomous vehicle accidents involve a different set of legal questions than traditional rideshare crashes. Because there is no human driver in control, liability may fall on the company that operates the vehicle, the manufacturers of the autonomous driving system or its components, or other drivers whose actions contributed to the collision. These cases often require analysis of the vehicle’s sensor data, software logs, and internal records, and they may involve product liability theories in addition to standard negligence claims. Acting quickly to preserve evidence is essential.
After any rideshare accident, your first priority is your health. Seek medical attention promptly, even if your injuries seem minor, because some serious conditions do not produce immediate symptoms. If you are able, document the scene by taking photographs of the vehicles involved, the road conditions, any visible injuries, and any relevant road signs or signals. Collect contact and insurance information from all parties, and ask any witnesses for their names and contact details. Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the report. Avoid making statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney, as early statements can be used to minimize your claim.
The time limit for filing a personal injury claim, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state. Many states, including Illinois and Arizona, generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain circumstances can affect these deadlines. Missing the filing deadline can permanently bar your right to recover compensation, which is why it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a rideshare accident. Our team at Levin, Riback & Adelman will make sure your claim is filed on time.
Have you received a payout offer from an insurance company for your rideshare accident? Talk to us before you sign anything! You may be entitled to more compensation than you realize.
Send us an email or call 312-782-6717 to speak to a dedicated and experienced lawyer at our firm.
