Chicago Uber Accident Lawyer

With the increasing popularity of ridesharing services such as Uber, the frequency of motor vehicle accidents involving rideshare drivers is on the rise. If you are injured in a car wreck involving a ridesharing vehicle, either as a passenger or in another vehicle, it is essential that you consult with a Chicago Uber accident attorney as soon as possible.

At Meyers & Flowers, our team of Chicago car accident attorneys takes on Uber accident cases in Chicago. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an Uber accident, you can be confident your case will be managed by Chicago’s premier personal injury law firm. We take our responsibility to our clients extremely seriously and will seek the maximum compensation possible based on the facts in the case. Contact us today.

Why Choose Our Chicago Uber Accident Lawyers?

• Our ability to achieve outstanding case results for clients is unmatched. We have recovered billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured automobile accident victims.
• Clients come to us because they know that experience matters. Our team has some of the most knowledgeable, skilled, and successful personal injury lawyers in Chicago.
• We have the resources to go up against rideshare companies such as Uber in pursuit of justice for our clients. We don’t back down from a challenge.
• You won’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Our Chicago rideshare accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we charge $0 upfront.

How a Rideshare Attorney Can Help After an Uber Accident in Chicago

Rideshare companies are not known for offering maximum financial compensation to injured accident victims. On the contrary, Uber has historically attempted to avoid liability or financial responsibility for rideshare accidents with tactics such as classifying their drivers as independent contractors to avoid employer liability.

The best thing you can do is contact an Uber accident lawyer in Chicago. A lawyer will preserve your rights and best interests throughout the process of seeking fair financial compensation. Your Uber accident attorney in Chicago will identify the liable parties, file a claim for you, and pursue optimal results using proven legal strategies. Meanwhile, you can focus on healing and getting well.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Chicago

Rideshare services market themselves as safe and reliable modes of transportation in Chicago. Yet they often fail to meet their responsibilities toward riders. Issues such as inadequate driver background checks, dangerous and poorly maintained vehicles, and negligent drivers result in dozens of Uber accidents each year.

Violated Traffic Laws

Rideshare drivers are just as likely to engage in careless and reckless behaviors as other motor vehicle operators. Despite being responsible for the safety of rideshare passengers, Uber drivers may make the dangerous mistake of violating traffic laws. This includes speeding, running red lights, ignoring stop and yield signs, failing to yield the right-of-way, making unsafe lane changes, and following behind other vehicles too closely.

Distracted Driving

Uber drivers are continually distracted while driving by the apps they are required to use. They must enter route information and deliver the passenger on the route provided by the app mapping feature, all while navigating heavy Chicago area traffic. These factors cause rideshare drivers to take their eyes off the road, increasing the risk of a collision.

Driver Fatigue

Many rideshare drivers use Uber as a secondary source of income. After working during the day, the drivers will take to the road later in the evening to pick up passengers. Fatigue can lower reaction time, causing motor vehicle accidents and serious injuries.

Failure to Properly Maintain a Vehicle

Uber drivers are independent contractors and are required to maintain their own vehicles. Dangerous accidents causing severe injuries can occur when the drivers fail to maintain a critical vehicle safety system, including tires, brakes, or even windshield wipers.

Types of Uber Accidents

• You are injured while you are a rideshare passenger.
• You are injured while you are driving your vehicle due to the negligence of an Uber driver.
• You are a pedestrian or cyclist injured due to the negligence of an Uber driver.

I Was Injured in an Accident While a Passenger in an Uber, What Do I Do?

The simple answer is it depends on the facts in the case. The police determine who is responsible for causing the accident. Was it the rideshare driver that caused the accident or the driver of another vehicle?

The good news is that if you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, such as Uber, you have a right to be compensated for your injuries by the negligent party and should treat it like any other accident and immediately seek help from an experienced Chicago Uber accident lawyer.

If the rideshare driver of the vehicle was responsible, there are two separate policies that may come into play when filing a claim for compensation: The driver’s private auto insurance policy or the Uber policy. When an Uber driver is picking up or delivering a passenger, they are covered by a 1 million limit policy. If the driver was not currently picking up or dropping off a passenger, compensation can be pursued through a claim filed with their private auto insurance policy.

An Uber Driver Caused a Collision With My Car and I Was Injured, What Do I Do?

The first fact that must be determined is whether the Uber driver was “on-app.” A rideshare driver is on-app when they are either transporting a passenger or en route to pick up a passenger. This is important, as this fact is what determines whether the $1 million rideshare insurance policy will be in play if you were injured in an accident due to the Uber driver’s negligence. If the rideshare driver is not on-app, then only the driver’s personal insurance policy will be available.

Whether a rideshare driver is on-app may be disputed by the rideshare companies to protect the company from liability. You should consult with an experienced Chicago Uber accident attorney as soon as possible if you are injured. Your attorney will be able to move quickly to preserve the evidence needed to determine whether the Uber driver was on-app. This will maximize the amount of insurance money available to compensate you for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

I Was a Pedestrian Injured By an Uber Vehicle, How Can I Be Compensated for My Injuries and Other Damages?

The critical piece of information is determining whether the rideshare driver was on-app to determine how to file a claim, and with which insurance company.

Does Uber or Lyft Provide Insurance Coverage for Passengers Injured in Accidents?

Yes. Under the Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act (625 ILCS 57/), rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are required to carry insurance policies that protect passengers. However, the level of coverage depends entirely on where the driver was in the ride process when the crash occurred.

If the rideshare driver had not yet logged into the app at the time of the wreck, only the driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies. Neither Uber nor Lyft provides any coverage during this period.

Once the driver logs into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request, a more limited policy kicks in. At this stage, Illinois law requires the rideshare company or the driver to maintain at minimum:

• $50,000 per person for bodily injury
• $100,000 per incident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per incident for property damage

The most robust protections apply after the driver has accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle. At that point, the rideshare company must provide $1 million in primary liability coverage for personal injury, death, and property damage. Illinois law also requires $50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage during this phase.

Keep in mind that insurance companies on all sides will often try to dispute which phase the driver was in at the moment of the collision. That determination can dramatically affect your ability to recover fair compensation. A rideshare accident attorney in Chicago with our legal team can help preserve critical evidence, including app data, to prove which coverage should apply to your claim. Reach out today for a free consultation to get started with your case. 

What Damages Are Available After an Uber & Lyft Accident?

If another party’s negligence caused your rideshare accident in Chicago, Illinois law allows you to pursue both economic and non-economic damages from them.

Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses you have experienced because of the crash. These may include:

• Current and projected future medical expenses
• Lost wages from time missed at work
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries are long-term
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket costs related to your recovery

Non-economic damages address the personal toll the accident has taken on your life. These can include things like:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress 
• Psychological harm
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium 
• Disability

In rare cases that go to trial, Illinois courts may also award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you for a specific loss. Instead, they serve to penalize the at-fault party for especially reckless or outrageous conduct. While punitive damages are not common in rideshare accident cases, they may come into play if, for example, the driver was intoxicated at the time of the wreck.

The total value of your claim will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and the strength of the evidence supporting your case. An experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Chicago can review the details and help you understand what your claim may be worth.

How Is Liability Determined in a Rideshare Accident?

Figuring out who is at fault after an Uber or Lyft accident in Chicago is often more complicated than it would be in a standard car accident. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and each one will likely try to shift the blame elsewhere.

• Potentially liable parties in a rideshare accident can include:
• The Uber or Lyft driver who caused the collision
• Another motorist whose negligence contributed to the wreck
• The rideshare company itself, if it failed to properly screen or supervise the driver
• A vehicle manufacturer, if a defective part played a role
• A government entity, if poor road design or missing signage contributed to the crash

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Under this system, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, there is an important limit. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible for the collision, you will be barred from receiving any damages at all. If your share of the fault falls at or below that threshold, your total award will simply be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Since rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors, they often argue that they should not be held directly liable for a driver’s actions. However, Illinois law and the insurance mandates under the Transportation Network Providers Act still require these companies to provide substantial coverage for accidents that occur during active rides. A qualified lawyer can investigate the facts of your case and identify every party that may owe you compensation.

How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Rideshare Accident in Chicago, IL?

Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation entirely.

While two years may seem like a long window, the timeline can pass more quickly than most people expect. Building a strong ride share accident case takes time. Your attorney will need to gather evidence, obtain medical records, review insurance policies, and potentially consult with expert witnesses. Starting the process early gives your legal team the best chance of putting together a thorough claim.

There are also limited situations where the filing deadline may differ. For instance, if the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations may not begin to run until they turn 18. On the other hand, if a government entity is involved, you may face a much shorter window to take action.

The safest course is to speak with a Chicago rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash. During your free consultation, we can help you understand your specific deadline and make sure you do not forfeit your right to pursue the compensation you need and deserve.

What to Do if You Are Injured in an Accident Involving Uber in Chicago

If you get involved in a serious Uber accident in Chicago, it’s important to know what steps to take to ensure your physical safety and build the strongest possible injury claim.

Here are 10 things you should do in the aftermath of a rideshare accident:

1. Remain calm. Check yourself and others involved in the crash for injuries. 
2. Seek medical attention immediately. Follow up with your medical care as recommended by your physician and keep a journal about your recovery.
3. Call law enforcement to come to the scene of the accident so that a formal report is made.
4. If you are able, take photographs and videos of the scene of the accident.
5. Gather information at the scene, including the names of everyone involved and vehicle descriptions.
6. Take a screenshot of the ride information in the Uber app.
7. Write down every detail you can remember. This will assist your accident attorney when you meet us for your consultation.
8. Contact the rideshare company to report the accident. Do not admit fault in any way.
9. When contacted by an insurance company, don’t give a recorded statement or accept a fast settlement.
10. Contact Meyers & Flowers as soon as possible.

As soon as you contact us, we can take over your claim and complete all of the necessary steps to hold someone accountable for your injuries and losses. We will make sure you have everything you need, including the best possible medical care in Chicago.

Contact Us for a Free Uber Accident Case Evaluation in Chicago

At Meyers & Flowers, we are committed to securing justice and full compensation for the people we serve. Whether your case can be fairly settled out of court or must be taken to civil court for resolution, you can be confident in our Chicago Uber accident attorney’s legal skills, experience, and extensive track record of winning cases. If you were recently involved in a harmful rideshare accident in the Chicago area, contact us for assistance. We offer a free case evaluation, and our personal injury cases are taken on a contingency fee basis – no legal fees unless we win for you. Call (630) 232-6333 today to request yours.