Waukegan Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Expert Legal Counsel for Accidents Involving Rideshare Companies 

A Waukegan rideshare accident lawyer can offer fierce advocacy against insurance companies after an Uber or Lyft accident. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and hold negligent rideshare drivers accountable. 

Verdicts and Settlements from Our Rideshare Law Firm in Waukegan

• $4,000,000 for wrongful death
• $3,500,000 for a woman fatally shot by a driver
• $2,800,000 for a pedestrian hit by a rideshare driver
• $1,000,000 for a rideshare user struck when the car pulled away

Your Trusted Legal Team for Rideshare Injury Claims in Waukegan

Our Waukegan car accident attorneys are fiercely committed to getting justice for rideshare users, pedestrians, and other motorists in Waukegan and Lake County who are injured in Uber and Lyft accidents. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we have the skills necessary to recover compensation from big companies like Uber and Lyft. 

How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in Waukegan, Illinois

A rideshare vehicle has multiple insurance policies that are used in different circumstances, which is part of what makes these crashes more challenging than other motor vehicle accidents. There are three distinct periods of coverage, with varying policy limits and insurance companies involved at each stage.

• Driver is Offline: At this stage, the driver’s personal auto insurance is responsible for accidents. Illinois law mandates that every motorist have at least $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident in bodily liability, and everyone must have uninsured motorist coverage (215 ILCS 5/143a).
• Driver is Waiting for a Ride Request: Uber and Lyft both provide minimum insurance coverage while the driver is logged in but not transporting a passenger. Uber and Lyft have the same coverage limits for this period: $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident in third-party bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
• Driver is En Route or Transporting a Passenger: At this time, Uber and Lyft provide $1,000,000 for property damage and bodily injury per accident. 

Common Causes of Ridesharing Accidents

Uber and Lyft accidents occur for many of the same reasons as other car crashes. These include:

• Distracted driving
• Adverse weather conditions
• Traffic congestion
• Reckless driving behaviors
• Driver fatigue
• Intoxicated driving
• Traffic law violations
• Poor road maintenance
• Medical emergencies

Injuries Commonly Sustained in a Rideshare Accident 

An Uber or Lyft accident can result in serious injuries, including:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Burns

Sadly, some individuals also pass away due to irresponsible Uber and Lyft drivers. Contact a Waukegan personal injury lawyer for assistance in filing a wrongful death claim to hold these individuals accountable. 

Laws and Regulations That Affect Your Waukegan Rideshare Accident Case

Due to Public Act 103-0527, Uber and Lyft are regulated by the Transportation Network Providers Act (§625 ILCS 57/1). This occurred after cases like Doe v. Lyft, where a Lyft driver sexually assaulted a woman. 

The Ridesharing Arrangements Act (§625 ILCS 30/5) does not allow local governments to license or regulate rideshares, so all laws are at the state level. These include:

• Zero-tolerance policy for drug or alcohol use
• Not allowing drivers under the age of 19
• Mandating uninsured motorist coverage and minimum insurance
• Performing rigorous background checks
• Banning those with more than three moving violations

In addition to these state laws, relevant Waukegan, IL, laws include:

• Not starting a parked car if it isn’t safe to do so (§21-42)
• Not driving negligently, like not paying attention to the road (§21-48)
• Driving no more than 30 mph in a business district or 25 mph in a residential district (§21-49)
• Staying on the right unless passing (§21-52)

Liability for Rideshare Injury Accidents in Waukegan, IL

Assigning liability is a detail that a lawyer from our team can competently investigate and clarify for you. Multiple parties may be liable depending on the exact circumstances, which include:

• Rideshare Services: While Leaks v. Uber Technologies is fighting to classify Uber and Lyft drivers as employees, they are currently considered independent contractors. This makes it challenging to hold rideshare companies accountable, but our car accident attorneys can consider things like negligent hiring or supervising. 
• Rideshare Drivers: Liability in this instance can include distracted driving, drowsy driving, or speeding. 
• Other Motorists: A Waukegan personal injury attorney from our firm will review the evidence to determine whether other drivers also acted negligently. 
• Third Parties: Depending on the specific circumstances of the crash, other parties involved may include pedestrians, repair companies, and private property owners.

Damages Our Waukegan Rideshare Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Recover    

You may receive both economic and non-economic damages for Uber and Lyft accidents. These include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inconvenience

If the victim has passed away, the surviving family members can recover compensation for wrongful death damages. These include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and grief.

In some cases, you may also receive punitive damages. This is to punish the rideshare driver, rideshare company, or other party for behavior that goes beyond simple negligence. An example would be a drunk driver or a company that failed to perform a background check to identify unsafe drivers. These are only awarded by the courts and won’t be provided if you settle with the insurance company. 

Your Contribution to the Accident

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence, which means that you can recover damages if you are less than 50% responsible, but your percentage of blame reduces your compensation. 

That is why it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer who can review the circumstances of your accident and ensure you achieve fair and just compensation. 

How to Protect Your Rights After Waukegan Rideshare Car Accidents 

When you have been the victim of a rideshare crash, what you do next is very important in terms of safeguarding your rights. Here are the steps you should take:

Prioritize your health  

Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, regardless of how severely you have been injured. Call 911 and explain your location, asking for police and an ambulance to be sent out. 

Document the scene 

Take photographs of the scene,  including the damage to vehicles and the road conditions. You should get contact details and insurance information from the rideshare driver and any other motorists. Be sure to ask eyewitnesses for their information so that our attorneys can follow up with them. 

Avoid discussions with insurance adjusters

To avoid unsatisfactory settlement offers, avoid speaking to any insurance company before consulting with a qualified personal injury attorney.

Consult with a qualified attorney

Contact our law firm as soon as possible so that we can begin reviewing your case and identifying the liable parties. 

The Importance of Hiring a Waukegan Ridesharing Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft cases are challenging due to the multiple insurance policies available and the complex liability. This is why it is crucial to work with experienced personal injury lawyers who are familiar with these cases.

We will thoroughly investigate your case, including reviewing police reports, witness statements, and medical records. We will also help you file insurance claims and negotiate with the insurance company. If necessary, we can take your case to court and force the rideshare driver or company to pay their fair share.

Another issue is that insurance providers do not want to pay out for accidents, even when the rideshare driver or rideshare company is clearly in the wrong. They will play many games, such as claiming you were responsible for the crash or that your injuries were a pre-existing condition. 

They may also delay your claim until the statute of limitations has passed, then insist that you’re not eligible for any compensation. Fortunately, our attorneys are very familiar with these tactics and can effectively counter them on your behalf.

Thanks to our years of experience, we know how much a case like yours is worth and will ensure that companies are held responsible for their negligence. With our fierce advocates on your side, you have a better chance of receiving a fair settlement that covers all your needs. 

You Have Limited Time to File a Rideshare Accident Claim

In Waukegan, IL, the statute of limitations for Uber and Lyft crashes is just two years from the date of injury (§735 ILCS 5/13-202). For wrongful death, it is two years after the date of death.

Some cases will have different statutes of limitations depending on extenuating circumstances. For example, minors have the statute of limitations paused until their 18th birthday, in which case they have two years to file. Lawsuits against municipalities will have shorter deadlines.

Due to the complicated nature of these deadlines, it’s crucial to contact our rideshare accident attorneys as soon as possible so that we can begin reviewing your accident and building a strong case. Contact us today for a free case review. 

The Cost of Hiring Our Waukegan Rideshare Accident Attorneys

We know very well that victims of rideshare collisions can be concerned about the financial aspect of pursuing legal action. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs for you to pay, and we are only paid if we obtain compensation for you. Our experienced Waukegan personal injury attorneys are here to handle the legal work while you focus on rebuilding your life.

Consult a Rideshare Car Accident Lawyer Near You!

Our rideshare accident attorneys are nationally recognized and have served over 5,000 clients over the last 25 years. With our help, you can receive a fair settlement that allows you to recover in comfort. We proudly serve the Chicago metropolitan area, including Waukegan, Cook County, and Lake County. 

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney, call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

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My Sister Had A Bad Car Cash and this was the best attorney. He was very understanding and helpful. I am very grateful to have him to help me out with this hard time in my life. Don’t think twice about going to him.

– Siah Holmann

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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.