Chicago Limousine Accident Lawyer

limousine accident attorneys Motor vehicle accidents involving limousines are often the result of the negligent driving by the limo chauffeur. Usually, limousine accidents can be catastrophic and leave the victim with permanent injuries due to the physical weight and size of the vehicle.

Motor vehicle accidents involving limousines are often the result of negligent driving by the limo chauffeur. Limousine accidents can be catastrophic and leave the victim with permanent injuries due to the physical weight and size of the vehicle.

Sometimes, limo accident victims require immediate emergency medical attention.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC represents passengers and motorists severely injured in limo accidents. If you were injured in a collision with a limo or were a passenger in a limousine, contact our Chicago car accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 to discuss your unique circumstance.

Let us explain your legal options without any cost or obligation to you. Complete our online form, and a Chicago personal injury lawyer will contact you within 24 hours.

We currently represent clients throughout the United States, Illinois, and the Chicago area, including Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, Will County, Aurora, Chicago, Elgin, Naperville, and Schaumburg.

The Need for Limousine Services

Many people use limousines when they want a secure way to travel to a local destination. Common passengers include business travelers, VIPs, government officials, celebrities, bridal parties and wedding guests, groups attending special events or concerts, and even families wanting a comfortable and stylish mode of transportation.

Limousine services offer privacy and convenience unavailable in other vehicles, making them an ideal choice for those who want added comfort and security during their journey.

Passengers' Expectation of Reasonable Care by Chicago Limo Drivers

The large Chicago metropolitan area roadways are often filled with "for-hire vehicles," including chauffeured limousines. Passengers riding in a limousine expect to be treated with "the highest degree of care" because Illinois law categorizes limousines as a 'common carrier.'

Illinois limousine companies are more responsible for protecting their passengers than passenger vehicle drivers.

However, the duty of a limousine company or driver to provide reasonable care can be breached when an accident occurs and causes severe injuries, including broken bones, brain trauma, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, and other life-threatening conditions.

Because they breached their duty of care, the limousine service, driver, and insurance carrier could be held liable. However, proving negligence and establishing liability can be challenging and require personal injury lawyers specializing in limousine accidents.

Passengers in limousine accidents suffering physical or emotional trauma caused by the driver's negligent action can file an insurance company claim to recover compensation to pay for medical bills incurred by the crash.

Other Motorists and Pedestrians Involved in Collisions with Liveries

Because the state of Illinois regulates limousine service as a common carrier, the company owes the community a heightened level of care beyond normal. Because of a limousine's length, width, and weight, limo companies are expected to hire the best drivers that are fully trained to handle the equipment through any road issues or weather conditions.

At times, limousine drivers make an error in judgment when driving and cause catastrophic limo accidents involving other motorists, bicyclists (visit page), and pedestrians (visit page).

In some incidences, when too many people ride inside the limousine, the extra weight can cause a dangerous hazard while moving.

When a limousine service puts its profits ahead of customer safety, it places passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians at risk because the vehicle is too heavy, making it difficult to maneuver and stop safely.

Any victim involved in a severe accident with a Chicago limousine has the legal right to seek financial compensation for their accident injury or wrongful death.

Legal Liability of Driver and Limousine Company to Passengers Injured in Accidents

The limousine company/driver is licensed as a common carrier by the state of Illinois and must follow specific rules of operation. The limo service and driver must provide the utmost diligence and care when providing safe carriage for every passenger.

Also, the vehicle must be adequately maintained to ensure maximum safety. When the company or driver's negligence causes a crash, they can be financially responsible for any personal injury and damage proximately caused by their breach of duties.

The limousine service owner is often held liable, even if it is only the driver at fault for actually causing the accident. The limo owner may also be legally responsible if it can be proved they hired unqualified drivers or did not provide proper training or background checks for the driver operating the limousine.

The Influx of Rideshare Services in the Chicago Area

As attorneys who regularly represent car accident victims, we have witnessed the growth of rideshare use in the Chicago area. We see more auto accidents involving Uber and Lyft than ever before.

While these rideshare services may be new players in the chauffeured ride service industry, they generally fall under the same regulatory traffic laws as limousines.

The US Department of Transportation groups rideshare companies together with limousines as common carriers, meaning there is no legal distinction if you were injured in an accident with a limousine company, taxi driver, or rideshare company such as Uber.

Injured in a Chicago Limo Accident? Obtain Maximum Compensation

A Chicago limousine accident lawyer can build a solid case for passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians involved in a limo crash. We gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and develop a claim against the insurance carrier representing the limo company.

Our Chicago limousine accident lawyers ensure that our clients involved in limousine accidents receive adequate compensation to pay for serious injuries and other damages, including:

Ongoing Medical Bills - Funds can usually be obtained to pay off emergency room services, hospitalization, visits to the doctor, rehabilitation, physical therapy, chiropractic care for spinal cord damage, x-rays, MRIs, and others.
Lost Wages - Many times, victims of a limo crash are hurt so severely that they cannot continue working. A skilled Chicago limousine accident lawyer can often help the victim recover lost wages and potential future earnings, even if the client is self-employed or has commissioned-based income.
Pain and Suffering - An experienced personal injury attorney can thoroughly evaluate and assess the severity, nature, and duration of the client's injuries to compute actual damages involving pain and suffering.

Calculations of the case's worth are based on the impact on the injured victim's quality of life and the disruptive effect the pain has on routine daily activities.

Limousine Accident Injury FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions related to personal injury and wrongful death claims related to limousine crashes in and around Chicago, Illinois.

We appreciate that you have questions specific to your situation. Consequently, we welcome you to contact our law firm for a free consultation with an attorney with experience with limo accident cases.

What Does a Limo Driver Do?

Chauffeurs and limousine drivers are responsible for maintaining the limousine and making all minor repairs. A limo driver also plans routes, assists passengers, and ensures that all occupants arrive at their destination safely.

Limousine drivers must carry an active chauffeur's license after following a brief training program before they can carry passengers for pay.

Why Do Limousine Accidents Happen?

Limousine accidents can happen for various reasons, including reckless driving, distracted driving, driver fatigue, mechanical failure, and hazardous road conditions. As with any vehicle, limousines are also susceptible to adverse weather, visibility issues, and drivers distracted by electronics or other passengers.

All drivers must pay close attention to the road ahead and take appropriate safety precautions while operating these vehicles to minimize the risk of limo accidents leading to serious injury, pain and suffering, or death.

What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver?

A limousine company and operator are responsible for all maintenance services on their vehicle. The driver or limo owner must plan every route and drive safely under the best traffic conditions to ensure the passenger's safety.

What Is the Difference between a Chauffeur and a Driver?

Drivers merely operate any motor vehicle. However, chauffeurs or limo drivers are professionals hired and trained to drive others as a paid service.

Chauffeurs might also work for rideshare programs like Lyft or Uber, allowing anyone with a driver's license and commercial insurance coverage to be a driver for the company.

Who is Liable If Another Wrecks the Limousine Car?

The police or investigators might determine who is at fault for causing the accident to ensure that the responsible party pays all costs for damages. If another is at fault for wrecking the limousine car, the chauffeur and limousine company might not be responsible for any of the passengers' damages, injuries, or wrongful death.

It could be challenging to determine liability and prove negligence when more than one person or entity caused the accident. Typically, a personal injury attorney specializing in commercial vehicle accidents can investigate the case to determine every party responsible for the limo accident, identifying all who should be held financially accountable for damages.

What Happens If an Unlicensed Driver Wrecks a Limousine?

Any unlicensed, uninsured, or underinsured driver might have to pay all liability damages out of pocket if a limo accident happened while carrying passengers. However, the limo company and limousine driver must maintain liability insurance coverage for all passengers injured or harmed during a serious accident.

The limo company has a duty of care to protect passengers. Victims of limousine accidents involving unlicensed motorists can seek compensation through the limousine's insurance coverage.

All limo companies operating commercial vehicles must carry liability insurance to pay all uncovered damages in car accidents.

Talk to an Experienced Chicago, Illinois, Limousine Accident Attorney

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, specializes in Chicago motor vehicle injuries, including limo crashes. We begin gathering vital evidence to secure the most favorable settlement for you from the time we are retained in a case by:

Ordering the police report from the investigating public safety department
Requesting copies of all medical records and bills
Taking statements from witnesses to the accident and other passengers
Contacting the liability insurance company to negotiate a settlement

Contact our car accident lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or through the contact form to schedule a free consultation. We can advise you, your family members, and your loved ones on how to protect your legal rights and explain the legal process for getting a settlement in these cases.

Our car accident attorneys also represent family members who have lost a loved one through a wrongful death accident, including those killed by drunk driving.

All discussions with our law firm remain confidential through an attorney-client relationship.

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Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld. Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own. Ethan Armstrong

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you. Daniel Kaim

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan! Giulia

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa

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