Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Chicago

How safe is an Uber, really?

Over the last few years, multiple stories have been covered in the news about riders being sexually assaulted by Uber drivers. Last year, an Uber driver actually killed a Cook County man with a machete. In some cases, the people who picked up passengers weren’t even real drivers for Uber or Lyft; they just had fake logos in the window. To that end, safety has become paramount. By offering so much information about the driver, companies like Uber and Lyft can help ensure that you are getting into the car you hailed, and eliminate some risk.

These companies also require that drivers submit copies of their licenses and registrations, undergo criminal background checks, and have their driving records reviewed.

Chicago, however, pushes it further. In 2017, after failing to pass an ordinance that would require fingerprinting for drivers, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance that “required [Uber and Lyft] drivers to obtain special chauffeur’s licenses and post signs informing riders they can relay complaints to 311, and prohibited ridesharing drivers from operating cars older than 6 years, unless they submit their vehicles for semiannual testing.”

Making a claim for damages

Your claim for damages would most likely be made against the company, not the driver – much to those companies’ chagrin. Though both Uber and Lyft have attempted to position themselves as a network for independent contractors, they can still be held liable for your injuries.

If you are attacked in an Uber, or if you are hurt in a car crash involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle – whether you are a passenger in the ride share or driving the other car – you can make a claim for damages. Both Uber and Lyft carry liability policies for their drivers in the event of an accident or injury. How much insurance they carry is dependent on what happened at the time.

• If an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident when he or she is not logged in, there is zero liability. This is true even if you are in the car at the time. The driver must be logged in to be covered by Uber or Lyft’s policy.
• If the Uber or Lyft driver is logged into the app, but has not accept a request for a ride, then the coverage is 50/100/25: $50,000 for bodily injury, $100,000 per incident, $25,000 for property damage.
• If the Uber or Lyft driver is logged in and had accepted a ride, the coverage is $1 million.

We know that sometimes, however, a truly catastrophic injury can cost far more that the limits set forth here. We also know that the lawyers for Uber and Lyft are going to fight you whenever possible, to avoid paying out your claims.

This is why you want an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer helping you make your case. If we can get you a just settlement, so that you can start paying your bills more quickly, we will. But if the insurance companies start playing hardball, or try to deny that their clients are liable, we have the skills, resources and experience to fight them in court.