The Hidden Complexities Of Handling Rideshare Accident Claims In Illinois

In this article, you can discover…

• What makes rideshare accident claims more complicated than other car accident claims.
• The role of your driver’s “driving status” in your claim.
• Why it’s important to allow an attorney to guide your rideshare injury claim.

What Makes Rideshare Accident Claims More Complicated Than Typical Car Accident Claims?

In a typical car accident claim, you are filing a claim against the other driver’s personal insurance policy. If the negligent driver was driving someone else’s car, you would file a claim against the owner’s insurance. In these cases, we know what the policy limits are, we know the facts of the case, and we can move forward.

With a rideshare case, it’s a bit different. In some cases, drivers haven’t let their personal insurance company know that they’re using their vehicle for ridesharing, and the insurance company will decline coverage if the policy contract states that the driver is not covered if they are driving for a rideshare company. In these cases, there may be no coverage under the driver’s insurance.

Fortunately, if the driver was driving for Uber or Lyft, they will have insurance coverage through these companies. Having said that, policy limits of that coverage will vary based on what phase of the rideshare the driver was in.

How Does A Driver’s “Driving Status” Or “Phase Of The Drive” At The Time Of An Accident Affect Insurance Coverage?

Driving status during the course of a rideshare ride is viewed in three different stages:

• In the first stage, the app is turned on, but the driver is not traveling to pick up or drop off a fare.
• In the second stage, the app is turned on, and the driver is on their way to pick up a fare.
• In the third stage, the app is turned on, the fare is in the car, and the driver is taking them to their destination.

Policy limits will differ based on which phase of the rideshare the driver was in. For example, a company may have policy limits of $50,000 for phase one, $100,000 for phase two, and $1,000,000 for phase three.

The next question is whether or not you have a truly severe injury. If you have an injury so severe that the policy limit isn’t enough to cover expenses and you want to sue the rideshare company directly, things will become much more complicated. This is because you are now suing the rideshare company on an agency relationship, and prominent companies like Uber fight those claims very hard.

The laws that apply to how one can sue companies like Uber or Lyft are constantly changing, so it’s important to have an attorney who understands these emerging laws on your side.

Attorney Alexander Memmen is a seasoned lawyer based in Illinois who has helped countless clients just like you to properly recover from a rideshare accident. Representing clients since 2006, he is prepared to assist you through your case so that you can navigate your claims with minimal complications.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Sharks At Law today to schedule an initial consultation.

Why Do Rideshare Accidents Often Require An Attorney To Sort Out Multiple Layers Of Liability?

As an individual who is not familiar with these types of cases, you simply have no chance of understanding the law, how liability is determined, and which laws and standards apply in your case. It is similar to having a heart condition and attempting your own surgery; you don’t have a chance.

The same applies if you are trying to represent yourself against a multi-billion-dollar company and its insurance provider. It is nearly impossible to get results that you will be happy with unless you have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.

A Case Where The Complexity Of A Rideshare Claim Surprised Even Me

Years ago, I had a case against a rideshare company where my client was severely injured. However, my client shared a good deal of responsibility for the incident and was hit by a rideshare driver who had passengers in their car. As a result of this accident, my client suffered some truly serious, life-altering injuries.

It was a case where the other lawyer told me to settle quickly for whatever I could get. We did not do that. Instead, we mediated the case six months before the trial was scheduled. That case settled for a life-altering amount of money, and I’ll never forget the moment myself, my client, and his family walked away from that mediation session, successful.

There was a team of 20 people there for the defendant, including six lawyers and several insurance adjusters. For the plaintiff to walk into that room alone and get money for themselves would have been impossible. You will absolutely need an experienced, knowledgeable personal injury attorney to get the results that you need and deserve after a rideshare accident.

How Does It Feel At The End Of The Case?

The end of a case is enormously fulfilling. Many times, with bigger cases, I spend a lot of time working and get to know the clients even better.

They become a part of my life, and I sometimes wind up staying in contact with them for years afterwards. It’s enormously fulfilling, and that’s why I do this job.

We just settled a case for a wonderful young woman who was badly injured, and she was so happy with the result and was very thankful. It really does mean a lot to me, especially when clients are really very happy and excited with their results; it’s very fulfilling. This is a big part of why I keep doing this job.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, contact a lawyer immediately, and see a doctor right away, or as soon as possible. Do everything you can to get a police report written and document your injuries.

While the basic principles of any car accident claim apply in rideshare cases, the stakes can be higher, as there may be the potential for more coverage from the rideshare company. It’s important to be aware of coverage limits and work with a lawyer who can help you to fully recover what you are entitled to.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on Rideshare Accident Claims In Illinois, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (312) 210-7229 today.