Springfield Uber Accident Lawyer 

If you live in Springfield, IL, you may notice the number of rideshare vehicles driving around the city, particularly for Uber. Perhaps you have relied on Uber yourself to get from place to place. When these cars are involved in accidents, filing claims becomes more complicated because of the involvement of the rideshare company and the multiple insurance policies that play a role. 

When you are hurt in an accident involving an Uber driver, you need an experienced car accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers who is familiar with this type of case. 

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to securing the maximum compensation for clients involved in Uber accidents in Springfield. Our experienced legal team specializes in rideshare accident cases and has a proven track record of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts. 

We thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case to ensure all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully covered. With our deep expertise in handling Uber accident claims, we navigate the complexities effectively and fight vigorously for your rights. 

The Unique Challenges of Uber Accident Cases

Regular car accidents are not as complicated as rideshare accidents for several reasons. First, establishing liability can be complicated when multiple parties are involved. Second, insurance policies for both the driver and Uber can come into play. Third, drivers are technically independent contractors, rather than full employees, so the company itself is rarely liable. 

All these factors can make your claim more challenging, especially since more parties are involved in the case. This is why contacting our Springfield car accident lawyers as soon as possible is your best bet to navigate the claims process legally and successfully recover compensation for damages.

Liability for an Uber Accident

For an insurance claim in Illinois, you will need to establish the existence of liability. This means determining who is at fault for the accident and providing evidence that supports your assertion. If you are not sure who may be responsible, this is a good question to ask your Springfield Uber car accident lawyer during a free consultation. Potentially liable parties include the following. 

Uber

In rare cases, the rideshare company itself could be held liable for your accident, though usually, they are immune to lawsuits because their drivers are independent contractors. However, if the company were found to have violated hiring practices or not vetted a driver properly, they could be at fault. 

Uber Driver

If Uber drivers are at fault for an accident, they can be held liable. For example, if they fail to follow traffic signals or are driving while texting, any ensuing collision would be their fault. 

Other Drivers

Sometimes drivers in other vehicles are the cause of crashes involving an Uber car as well. A car could switch lanes illegally and sideswipe an Uber driver who has a passenger, making the original driver guilty of negligence. 

Manufacturers

If the accident occurred because of a faulty car part, the manufacturer of that part or the vehicle could be a liable party. Similarly, if a repair shop did maintenance work to address a certain issue, but that issue continued and caused the wreck, the mechanic could be responsible. 

Understanding Uber’s Insurance Policy

Uber has a somewhat confusing insurance policy when it comes to drivers. The policy changes depending on the status of the driver, and whether they are offline, waiting for a ride, en route, or on a trip. 

If the accident occurs while the driver is offline, then any settlement would come from the driver’s personal auto insurance company policy, which must meet the state standards for minimum coverage in Illinois.

If the driver is waiting for a trip and online, then Uber has limited insurance coverage if they are in an accident. This coverage is $50,000 per person with injuries or $100,000 per accident if it is the fault of the driver. $25,000 is available for property damage as well. 

For an Uber driver who is en route to pick up a client or currently transporting a client, the coverage from Uber jumps to $1,000,000 for injuries or property damage when the driver is at fault. Drivers can also get additional property damage coverage if they pay for comprehensive and collision coverage through their personal insurance policy. 

What to Do After an Uber Accident in Springfield, IL

Keeping a clear head is important in the aftermath of an accident, not only for your safety but for the sake of your financial future. Amid the emotions and physical injuries you may be experiencing, it is crucial you follow the right steps to set up a successful claim with the help of Springfield ridesharing accident lawyers. 

These are the steps you should follow from the moment the accident occurs:

• Remain at the scene – The moment you leave an accident scene, you are committing a crime, so do not leave the premises unless your life is in danger
• Call 911 – The authorities need to be on-scene as quickly as possible to conduct an investigation and alert medical personnel if there are injuries
• Seek medical attention – Your health is your first priority, so make sure you are seen by medical personnel immediately even if you don’t think you are injured
• Gather information – Obtain information regarding the liability and insurance coverage of other drivers and be sure to share your own insurance policy with them
• Collect evidence – Evidence will be needed to support your claim, so take photos of the scene, speak to witnesses, and ask for a copy of any police reports about the accident
• Contact your insurance company – Your insurance company may require you to notify them of an accident within a certain time limit, such as 24 hours, so it doesn’t hurt to call them from the scene of the accident
• Speak to a Springfield Uber car accident lawyer – A legal representative from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you determine the best option and start working on your case

Filing a Lawsuit With Our Springfield Uber Accident Lawyers

Filing a claim is not a simple process, which is why our car accident lawyers can help. As the injured victim, you must establish liability first before filing the lawsuit, which may involve collecting evidence like medical records, investigating the case, and checking insurance of the multiple parties involved. 

This is a lot harder to do on your own, so get in touch with a Springfield Uber injury lawyer to start your case the right way. 

Most Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Springfield, IL

The cause of the accident is crucial, and an accident lawyer can help you collect evidence to support your claim. If the cause is related to someone else’s negligence, then you may have a personal injury case. Common causes of Uber accidents in Springfield include:

• Driver negligence – Drivers who operate their vehicles carelessly or recklessly, such as while texting, often cause accidents
• Tailgating – If a driver follows the car in front of them too closely, it could result in a collision if the front vehicle stops suddenly
• Speeding – Speeding causes a large percentage of all motor vehicle accidents since drivers have less control and take longer to come to  a stop
• Drunk driving – Alcohol-impaired drivers caused 26 injuries and 2 deaths in 2022 in Sangamon County [1] 
• Fatigue – Fatigue can lead to slower reflexes and reduced vision, and caused accidents involving 39 vehicles in 2022 in Sangamon County [1] 
• Road conditions – A poorly maintained road could have significant potholes or other types of deterioration causing a vehicle to lose control and crash
• Poor weather – Weather is often the cause of accidents throughout the Springfield area due to rain, snow, and ice, especially during the winter
• Driver inexperience – Young drivers may not have enough experience to drive defensively and protect those around them, resulting in accidents due to negligent behavior

Most Common Injuries Sustained After an Uber Car Accident

The severity of your injuries will affect your medical expenses, the emotional impact on your life, and even the insurance coverage for your claim. You should work with your accident lawyer to assess all injuries suffered from the accident to get an accurate picture of your compensation needs. 

Common injuries sustained in Uber accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Whiplash
• Head injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Puncture wounds
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Fatal damage

Damages Our Springfield Uber Accident Attorneys Can Help You Recover

The two primary categories of damages are economic and non-economic. There is a third category known as punitive damages, but these are reserved for further punishing a defendant who behaved with malicious intent. 

Outside of the insurance claims process, you may qualify for these additional damages in an Uber accident case:

Economic Damages

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses for maximum medical improvement potential
• Property damage
• Funeral costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Loss of financial support (in wrongful death cases)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship (in wrongful death cases)

The Value of Your Uber Car Accident Case

It is difficult to estimate what your case may be worth without speaking to a Springfield Uber accident lawyer directly. Many factors will impact the maximum compensation you can receive such as the severity of your injuries, the abilities of your accident lawyer, the insurance coverage of the defendant, and the emotional impact of the incident on your lifestyle. 

Additionally, if you are found to be somewhat at fault for the accident, though no more than 50%, any potential settlement could be reduced by a similar rate. This is because Illinois is a comparative fault state.

The Cost of Hiring a Springfield Uber Accident Attorney

As you seek compensation for damages like lost income, medical bills, or emotional distress, the last thing you need is expensive attorney fees upfront. Our Springfield personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis to better support our clients. This agreement means we only receive payment if we win your case, and payment is simply deducted from the total settlement amount. 

This provides peace of mind for claimants already struggling with financial burdens and motivates your accident lawyer to work as hard as possible to help you win your claim. Plus, you need a Springfield Uber crash attorney on your side, especially if defendants work with law firms themselves to undermine your claim. 

You Have a Limited Time to Take Legal Action

If you wait too long to file your claim in the state of Illinois, then your case could be dismissed and you will be unable to pursue compensation. That means your lost wages or medical bills would not be covered outside of your insurance. 

The statute of limitations for most personal injuries in Illinois is two years from the date of the incident. The same is true for injuries involving product liability, though you have five years to file the claim if it is just for property damage. 

Wrongful death claims must also be made within two years of the individual’s death. However, if your loved one dies because of violent, intentional conduct, then the timeline is expanded to five years. 

In general, the sooner you contact our law firm for your free consultation, the better it is for the success of your claim and to stay within the statute of limitations. 

Contact a Springfield Uber Car Accident Attorney Today!

Contact our team today by calling 888-424-5757 or filling out our online form to get your free consultation and start working toward a fair settlement for your claim. 

Resources: [1] IDOT County Crash Facts – Sangamon,