Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity across Illinois in recent years. As more drivers hit the road, accidents are bound to happen. If you are a passenger injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, you may have questions about liability and insurance. This article provides an overview of what steps to take after an accident with a rideshare driver in Illinois to protect your rights and get fair compensation.
Reporting the Accident
The first thing to do after any accident is to contact the police and file an official report. Be sure to gather as much information as possible at the scene, including contact details of the rideshare driver, witnesses, and any passengers. Also, take photos of damage, injuries, and the accident location.
Report the accident to both the rideshare company and your own insurance provider right away. Uber and Lyft have 24-hour incident response teams to handle accident claims. Provide them with your report number and details of what happened. Your insurance company will also need prompt notification to start your claim process.
Determining Liability
Liability determination can be complex with rideshare accidents. Several parties could potentially be at fault, including:
- The rideshare driver
- The other driver(s) involved
- Uber or Lyft (for faulty hiring/training of driver)
- The city or state (for poor road conditions)
The police report, witness statements, and investigation into the crash circumstances will reveal who was at fault. Illinois follows traditional comparative negligence rules, meaning you can recover damages even if partially to blame for the accident.
Insurance Coverage with Rideshares
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies provide insurance coverage during different phases of a trip:
- Period 1 – When the app is on but no passenger is picked up yet, the rideshare company provides minimal liability coverage. Drivers’ personal auto policies may not apply during this period.
- Period 2 – When a passenger is picked up until they are dropped off, the rideshare company provides substantial liability coverage of up to $1 million in some cases.
- Period 3 – After a passenger is dropped off until the driver logs off the app, coverage reverts back to minimal levels.
So, it’s crucial to know when the accident occurred in the ride sequence. The rideshare company’s adjuster will investigate this. They may try denying a claim by asserting the driver had veered outside the scope of employment at the time of the crash. Refute this argument if you have evidence that the driver was indeed engaged in giving you a ride.
Filing an Injury Claim
If you suffered any injuries in the accident as a rideshare passenger, you can make an injury claim with the rideshare insurer. This process works much like a regular car insurance claim. Provide documentation of your medical treatment, bills, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, etc.
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Don’t wait too long to pursue compensation, as the rideshare’s insurer will be skeptical of delayed claims. Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to get the recovery you deserve.
Get Legal Help
Dealing with insurance companies after a rideshare accident can quickly get complicated. An experienced attorney understands how to navigate liability disputes and maximize your payout. Contact the injury law firm Monge & Associates for a free consultation on your case at (888) 477-0597. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Illinois, Washington, and Colorado, our lawyers have helped many rideshare passengers get compensation for their damages. Call now to learn more.