Chicago Uber Accident Attorney

As rideshare companies like Uber continue to grow in popularity, so do the number of accidents. When a potential passenger uses the app to call for an Uber, it’s likely they’re not concerned about getting into an accident. They trust that the driver they have will get them to their destination efficiently. When that doesn’t happen, questions of fault and liability come out. If you’ve been in a rideshare accident, our Chicago Uber accident lawyers can represent you and provide you with sound legal guidance.

How Does Driver Negligence Contribute to Rideshare Accidents?

While the negligent actions that contribute to rideshare accidents are similar to other traffic accidents, there are unique elements. If you’ve been in an accident with an Uber driver, understanding why your accident happened is an important part of building a strong claim to hold them accountable for their actions. Driver negligence contributes to Uber accidents in the following ways:

• Speeding. When Uber drivers are focused on making as many pickups as possible in a night, they may choose to speed to get to destinations faster. No matter the traffic or road conditions, speeding always increases the chances of an accident.
• Distracted Driving. The biggest distraction for an Uber driver is their phone. They need to use the device to accept rides, locate pickup and drop off points, and rate their passengers. While they are allowed to use their phones to do those things, it still takes their eyes away from the road and hands away from the wheel.
• Disobeying Traffic Laws. Similar to speeding, Uber drivers might try to decrease their ride times by doing things like running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or failing to yield to the right-of-way at intersections.
• Fatigue. When an Uber driver tries to make as much money as possible in a single night, they may drive while fatigued in order to accept more pickups. Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Failure to Maintain Vehicle. According to Uber’s policies, drivers are supposed to maintain their vehicles and ensure they are properly registered and inspected. If a driver fails to do those things, the chances of getting into an accident increase.

Understanding Uber’s Insurance Policy

If you’re riding in an Uber when your driver causes an accident, the company does have an insurance policy. Understanding this policy and what it means for your recovery is crucial. The policy covers the driver up to $1 million in liability, which means your injuries are covered up to that amount. The coverage, however, only kicks in if the drivers involved have insufficient bodily coverage.

In addition to that caveat, there are only certain situations when Uber’s insurance policy applies. To understand what those situations are, it’s important to know when a rideshare driver is covered under the company policy.

Drivers are covered once they’ve made themselves available to riders and until the time they end a trip. When a driver is online without a passenger, they are insured by third-party liability in the form of $50,000 per bodily injury per person, $100,000 bodily injury per accidents, and $25,000 property damage per accident.

The coverage increases when a driver accepts a trip, is en route, and picks up the passengers. Then, the insurance covers $1,000,000 third-party liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury, contingent comprehensive and collisions, and up to actual cash value of the car with a $1,000 deductible.

Passengers are covered under the same parameters as drivers. If your accident happened outside of those parameters, you may still be eligible for compensation. Our Chicago Uber accident lawyers will look into your claim and determine the best way to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Steps to Take After an Uber Crash as the Victim

The first thing you should always do after any car accident is to seek medical attention. This will ensure you receive the care you need, and you’ll have proof of losses related to the crash. If you can, get the names, contact information, and insurance details of everyone involved. There may be witnesses nearby. If there are, ask if they’re willing to provide you with contact information, as well. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the wreck, the vehicles, and anything else you believe is relevant to the accident.

Depending on the situation, the police may arrive at the scene. If they don’t, you might want to consider calling them yourself. It’s better to have an official crash report on file, even if it’s a minor one, so that it can be used when building your claim. After you’ve completed those tasks, you’ll want to get in touch with an Uber accident attorney so they can help you recover your crash-related losses.

Contact Thomas Law Offices Today

Car accident injuries can be severe. As a result, medical bills can pile up quickly for procedures, medications, medical equipment, and more. When you work with a Chicago Uber accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices, we’ll fight to get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and take care of the other losses associated with your accident.

It can be challenging to go up against a company like Uber; but we have the experience needed to do just that. To learn more about your legal rights and options after an Uber crash, schedule a free consultation with our office.