If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft collision in Chicago, determining who is liable will be one of the first steps toward asserting your legal rights. While you are entitled to just compensation if the accident was someone else’s (or a company’s) fault, you must be able to prove who (or what company) is liable in order to recover the compensation you deserve.
So, who is liable in an Uber or Lyft collision?
There are a handful of possibilities. While Uber and Lyft collisions are unique in certain respects, in many ways, seeking financial compensation in these cases is no different from seeking financial compensation after any other car accident. Various parties could be liable, and identifying the liable party (or parties) involves conducting a thorough investigation as soon as possible.
With this in mind, some of the parties that could be liable in an Uber or Lyft collision include:
If the Uber or Lyft driver caused the collision, he or she could be fully liable under Illinois law. Just like other drivers, Uber and Lyft drivers can be held liable for distracted driving, tailgating, speeding, running red lights and stop signs, and numerous other mistakes behind the wheel. In this scenario, the Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance policy would apply, and seeking just compensation would typically involve dealing with the driver’s insurance company.
Uber and Lyft also have insurance that covers their drivers’ accidents in some cases. If a rideshare driver causes an accident while logged into the Uber or Lyft app, while driving to pick up a passenger, or while providing a ride, then filing a claim under the rideshare company’s insurance policy may also be a possibility.
Why would you file a claim against Uber or Lyft instead of filing a claim against the rideshare driver? Seeking coverage under Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy may be your best option if: (i) the driver’s insurance coverage isn’t enough; or, (ii) the driver’s insurance coverage has lapsed.
When you hire an experienced attorney to represent you, your attorney will be able to determine which claim (or claims) he or she needs to file on your behalf to seek full compensation for your accident-related losses.
Just because you were involved in an Uber or Lyft collision, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Uber or Lyft driver is to blame. While this is certainly a possibility, there are other possibilities as well.
For example, you could have a claim against another driver who was involved in the collision. If a careless, reckless, aggressive, distracted, or impaired driver collided with your Uber or Lyft, he or she could be fully liable. Or, if your rideshare driver and another driver both made mistakes that led to the collision, then they could share liability under Illinois law. Either way, since all drivers are required to carry auto insurance in Illinois, you should be able to seek insurance coverage for your medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.
If a vehicle-related issue caused (or contributed to causing) the collision, you may also have a claim against a vehicle manufacturer, dealership, or repair shop. Vehicle manufacturers and dealerships can be held liable for selling defective vehicles, and dealerships can also be held liable for performing negligent maintenance or repairs. Repair shops can be held liable for performing negligent service work as well—and you could have a claim whether the issue affected the Uber or Lyft vehicle or another vehicle involved in the crash.
Another possibility is that you could have a claim against a road construction or maintenance contractor. If an issue with the road caused (or contributed to causing) the collision, then the contractor that is responsible for the issue could be liable. Dangerous construction zones, potholes, inadequate signage and lane markings, and other similar types of issues can establish clear claims for liability under Illinois law.
Were you involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft in Illinois? If so, you may have questions about your rights and what steps to take next. At Coplan + Crane, we’re ready to help you immediately by gathering the evidence needed to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve. Our goal is to support accident victims like you and hold rideshare companies or drivers accountable for their actions.
Contact us today online or at 312-982-0588 to schedule your FREE case evaluation. We proudly serve clients throughout Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and beyond. We handle cases on a contingency basis, so, you don’t pay unless we win your case.
