Uber / Lyft Accident Lawyer in Chicago

Our Chicago Accident Attorneys Can Protect Your Rights

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have become incredibly popular throughout the country and the state of Illinois. By offering smart phone application users a convenient means of transportation, these services collect fees in exchange for rides with available drivers nearby. However, there is never a guarantee those rides will end safely, especially when others are negligent or careless behind the wheel,

At Morici, Longo & Associates, our Chicago personal injury attorneys have been dedicated to protecting the rights of injured victims, families, and workers since our firm was founded in 1998. Over the years, we have cultivated a reputation for securing the justice and compensation victims deserve following all types of preventable car accidents – including those involving rideshare service providers like Uber and Lyft.

Injured in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft? Call (312) 779-0366 today for a FREE Consultation.

Unique Legal Issues in Uber / Lyft Accident Cases

Although personal injury cases stemming from car accidents generally focus on holding an at-fault party liable for preventable injuries and damages suffered by victims, wrecks involving Uber and Lyft introduce some unique and often challenging legal issues. This is primarily due to the fact that these services are still relatively new, and because they involve a business and insurance coverage structure where drivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees.

Our firm can help if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident as a:

• Uber or Lyft driver (on or off duty)
• Rideshare passenger
• Bicyclist
• Pedestrian
• Driver or passenger of another vehicle
• Victim of physical or sexual assault

Because there are complex issues to address in Uber and Lyft accidents, working with attorneys who have the requisite experience, insight, and resources can make all the difference in your case. Our legal team is equipped with the tools to address all issues that may arise in these accidents, including:

• Fault & Liability – Victims of preventable accidents have a right to recover financial compensation for their damages (including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more) when they prove another party is at fault for causing the wreck. This can mean proving negligence on the part of a careless motorist who drove distracted, drunk, or otherwise failed to uphold their obligation to safely operate their vehicle, or the rideshare service company itself under certain circumstances, such as when they allow an unqualified, unfit, or dangerous individual to drive using their app. In many cases, holding an at-fault party liable for damages means securing compensation from their insurance provider (that’s why drivers have to carry auto insurance). Due to the fact that rideshare drivers are not actually employees (and are considered independent contractors), Uber and Lyft have the ability to dispute or skirt liability in some situations when accidents are caused by their drivers or others on the road. This can create challenges when victims need to ensure they secure the full amount of compensation they deserve through the appropriate party or multiple parties.
• Insurance Coverage – The classification of drivers as independent contractors also makes for distinct challenges involving insurance coverage when victims are harmed in Uber and Lyft accidents. For example, insurance coverage will vary depending on who you were in the accident (a driver, passenger, or other motorist/pedestrian), and whether or not the rideshare driver was actively using the app or not. When victims are injured while riding as passengers in an Uber or Lyft, for instance, they are typically covered by the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy (usually a $1 million policy). This covers accidents caused by the rideshare driver, other motorists or negligent parties, and even other drivers who are uninsured or underinsured. If you were a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another motorist injured by an Uber driver, insurance coverage will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. If they were actively transporting a fare, the rideshare company may be held liable for damages, but if they were in between fares or had the app turned off, a rideshare company’s contingent policy and/or the driver’s own personal auto insurance would provide coverage.

Our Chicago Uber & Lyft accident lawyers have dedicated their professional careers to addressing a range of complex and challenging issues involving auto accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and wrecks involving independent contractors. We know how to effectively establish fault and liability in these cases, and how to navigate insurance coverage issues to determine the most appropriate pathway for securing the full amount of their damages. Our goal in every case is to seek the maximum compensation possible.

Discuss Your Case During a FREE Consultation

Auto accidents are never an easy experience, and they can become even more daunting and frightening when you are injured and need to navigate an unfamiliar system to recover your damages – especially when commercial rideshare companies or insurance providers do all they can to pay victims as little as possible. By working with our award-winning legal team at Morici, Longo & Associates, you can level the playing field with these corporations and gain the support and representation of proven advocates with the resources that can help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Speak personally with a lawyer from our firm by calling (312) 779-0366 or contacting us online for a FREE consultation.