Rideshares are often thought to be a safer alternative to driving. Whether visiting a new city or enjoying a few drinks out, scheduling a rideshare vehicle aims to make Springfield, Illinois, roads safer for everyone.
While calling a rideshare may be a safer alternative, that doesn’t mean it’s without risk. Some car accident cases involve rideshare drivers, and depending on the details of your accident, your own insurance policy may not cover your existing or future medical bills.
Rideshare accidents are governed by laws and rules different from those of traditional car accidents, and understanding these differences is key to your case.
A Springfield ridesharing accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help walk you through Illinois’ legal system to recover the compensation you rightfully deserve.
The Importance of Hiring a Springfield Ridesharing Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accident attorneys help clients who have been injured while driving for, riding in, or involved in a car accident with a rideshare vehicle. Our Springfield rideshare accident attorneys will investigate the unique details of your case, ensuring you receive fair compensation.
Fatal rideshare passenger accident
Rideshare passenger shot by driver
Pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle
Rideshare driver sexual assault case
Motorcyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle
Hip and foot injury exiting a vehicle
Our legal team will conduct a free evaluation of your case to determine your current and anticipated costs. We’ll also help you navigate the insurance claims process, ensuring you receive a fair settlement.
Our law firm also manages negotiations with insurance providers and rideshare companies, ensuring you receive an offer that appropriately covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping rideshare accident victims navigate the often complex legal system. Our team handles all aspects of your case, from initial investigation to settlement follow-up, allowing you to focus on your recovery. We’re even prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company doesn’t offer a suitable settlement.
The Cost of Hiring a Springfield Rideshare Accident Attorney From Our Team
Springfield personal injury attorneys can be invaluable to your case, but you might wonder how much hiring one costs. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understand the costly medical expenses and lost wages that are common following an Uber or Lyft accident. We also recognize how these costs continue to add up.
That’s why we offer a free consultation, allowing you to explore your legal options. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. This means there is no risk in calling an accident lawyer today for a free case evaluation.
Difference Between Ridesharing and Car Accidents
While many of the same causes of a traditional car accident can also lead to a rideshare accident, the legal process of filing a claim for each differs. Determining liability and responsibility in an Uber or Lyft accident isn’t always as clear.
For example, when filing a car accident claim, you might seek compensation from your auto insurance or the other driver’s policy. In a rideshare accident, you might instead file a claim against the rideshare company.
There are also differences in the levels of insurance coverage available, which could impact your case depending on when the ride request occurred versus the time of the crash.
It’s also not uncommon for the provider to deny your insurance claim and for the responsible parties to pass around liability. That’s why you need a rideshare accident lawyer on your side.
Springfield car accident lawyers can help drivers or passengers file a legal claim based on the unique details of your case. Our rideshare car accident lawyers can also help manage communication and negotiations with the insurance company, rideshare company, and any other attorneys involved in the case.
A rideshare accident can lead to short- and long-term damages. A Springfield rideshare accident lawyer can help you recover the following damage types.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the tangible expenses resulting from ridesharing accidents, including:
- Lost wages
- Current medical expenses
- Anticipated medical bills
- Property damages
- Temporary transportation
- Childcare while receiving treatment
- Loss of benefits
- Household services
- Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the non-monetary expenses that may happen during or after the accident occurred, including:
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are compensation beyond incurred expenses meant to punish the responsible party’s negligence. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you establish proof of negligence in your case, increasing the chances of punitive compensation.
While the punitive compensation from a ridesharing accident won’t take away the pain and suffering of the accident, it can make recovery easier.
In severe rideshare crashes, an injury could lead to a loss of life. Personal injury cases can transition into a wrongful death lawsuit, allowing the injured victim’s family to collect for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and pain and suffering.
Navigating any accident requires identifying liability. When a rideshare accident occurs, any of the following individuals can be responsible.
Private Motorist
A private motorist can cause a car accident with a rideshare driver. If the private motorist was negligent, they may be at fault if they injure a rideshare driver or one of their passengers.
Since Illinois is an at-fault car accident state, the responsible party’s insurance coverage typically pays for the damages. That means if a private motorist is to blame, their insurance company should cover the rideshare driver and passenger’s injuries.
However, this can be more difficult if the private motorist doesn’t have coverage or is under-insured. Our lawyers are prepared to navigate your case, regardless of the details.
Rideshare Driver
The rideshare driver could also be the at-fault driver. If the rideshare driver is liable, whether or not they were active in the app determines who covers any related damages. If the driver is actively offering rideshare services, then the rideshare company insurance policy should cover the damages.
However, if the driver is not actively logged into the app or is in between passengers, their insurance coverage may be liable for damages. Similar to other drivers on the road, all Illinois rideshare drivers are required to carry the state’s minimum insurance coverage [1].
If the driver isn’t carrying insurance or is under-insured, the only way to seek compensation for damages may be through a third-party personal injury lawsuit.
The rideshare user also doesn’t have to be in the vehicle for the driver to be covered under the company’s liability insurance either. If a rideshare driver hits another vehicle or is involved in a crash after initiating a ride request and the driver accepts, the ridesharing company insurance policy should apply.
The company could also be to blame for the rideshare driver’s negligence. Rideshare drivers are typically considered independent contractors, meaning they’re freelancers, even though Illinois continually works to change company liability.
In August 2023, HB 2231, was signed into law, and provides that rideshare companies are no longer exempt from liability under “common carrier” laws. [2]. However, this doesn’t diminish the rideshare driver’s responsibility should an accident occur.
Automotive Manufacturer
Defective or faulty automotive parts can also lead to car accidents. If you believe defective parts led to your accident, it may be beneficial to work with an experienced car accident attorney to file a product liability claim.
As you can tell, the details of when and how the accident occurred impact liability. Scheduling a free consultation with a Springfield ridesharing accident lawyer can help you navigate these issues and choose the best legal route based on the specific details of your case.
Some of the most common causes of a rideshare vehicle accident include the following:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents. Illinois law prohibits drivers from using hand-held cell phones when driving a vehicle [3].
- Driving under the influence: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that as many as 47% of Illinois motor vehicle fatalities involve drunk driving [4].
- Poor weather: Springfield, Illinois, is prone to harsh winters and heavy rainstorms, which can also lead to an accident.
- Faulty vehicle parts: Some motor vehicle accidents are caused by faulty vehicle parts or tires.
It’s not always clear what causes a ridesharing accident, which is where an accident lawyer can be beneficial to your case. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers conducts a thorough investigation of the details of your case. We collect medical records, witness statements, and expert testimonies to understand the details of your case.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Ridesharing Accidents
A ridesharing accident can lead to a wide range of injuries, including the following:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Internal bleeding
- Concussion
- Lacerations
- Back or neck pain
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injury
- Chemical burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The severity of your injuries may affect the outcome of your case. Our legal team takes the time to understand your medical injuries, including recovery time and short- and long-term consequences. Using this information, we fight to get you an appropriate settlement amount that fairly covers your costs.
The steps you take immediately following a ridesharing accident are important. If you ever find yourself injured in an accident, take the following steps.
- Call the local police: Report the accident to the Springfield Police Department. This allows you to file a police report, which may be important to your case.
- Seek medical care: Always seek immediate medical attention following a ridesharing accident. Some serious conditions may not show up until later, so prompt medical care is a must.
- Notify the rideshare company: Whether you were the driver or a passenger, you should notify the appropriate company of the accident. You can usually do this within the app or by calling the company’s hotline number.
- Collect evidence: Collect as much evidence as you can, including photographs and videos from the accident scene. Exchange contact information with any witnesses.
- Contact a Springfield rideshare injury lawyer: A personal injury lawyer can help rideshare accident victims navigate the complexities of the Illinois legal system.
Illinois limits ridesharing accident claims to just two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file your claim within this time period can make you ineligible for compensation. Whether you’re filing a claim with the driver’s third-party liability coverage or the company itself, you have a limited time to file a personal injury case.
Keep in mind it can take your Springfield rideshare accident lawyers time to thoroughly investigate and build a strong, successful case. It’s also important to note many ridesharing companies have time limits on how long you have to report a car crash. Rideshare insurance policies vary depending on the specific company, and a Springfield ridesharing accident attorney can help you determine this.
It’s even possible your own personal auto insurance has set standards for how long you have to notify them of a car crash. Contacting a rideshare lawyer as soon as possible can help you meet these important timelines.
Contact a Springfield Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Today!
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has successfully helped passengers and drivers involved in a Springfield rideshare accident navigate the complex legal process and collect the compensation they deserve. Whether you’re seeking compensation from your own auto insurance policy or the ridesharing company, an accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers ensures you receive a fair amount.
We go up against the other legal team while representing your best interests. Our team handles all communication and negotiations on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. Rideshare drivers and other automotive drivers on the road owe you a certain duty of care, and when they breach that standard through negligence, it’s only right that they pay.
If a rideshare driver hit your vehicle or injured you as a passenger, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers at (888) 424-5757 today. You can also contact one of our rideshare lawyers using our online form.
Resources: [1] Office of the Secretary of State, [2] Fast Democracy, [3] State of Illinois, Illinois State Police, [4] Illinois Department of Transportation