Were you hurt in an accident while you were riding as a passenger in an Uber vehicle or as a motorist hit by an Uber driver? If so, you might be entitled to compensation for the losses you suffered, like your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. The reputable DuPage County Uber accident lawyers from the Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid will help pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Since 2005, we have been fighting for accident victims just like you who were injured because of the careless actions of other drivers. We want to help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Contact our law office in DuPage County at (630) 428-4040, Illinois, today to find out more about how we can help.
How the Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid Can Help With Your Uber Accident Case in DuPage County
As an Uber passenger in DuPage County, IL, you reasonably expect to make it to your destination safely. That’s the service you pay for. If a negligent driver caused you to get hurt, they should be responsible for the injuries you suffer. However, careless drivers and insurance companies seldom do the right thing and try to make you whole after causing harm to you.
At the Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid, our DuPage County personal injury lawyers have more than 75 years of combined legal experience. We have successfully recovered over $150 million for our deserving clients. When you choose to hire our award-winning legal team, you can expect us to:
- Conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident
- Identify all potentially at-fault parties and causes of action
- Reviewing the applicable insurance coverage
- Gathering evidence about the accident, the drivers involved, and your damages
- Evaluate the full extent of your injuries
- Handle communications and claims on your behalf
- Negotiate for fair compensation
You deserve to focus on your recovery. Let our accomplished personal injury lawyers in DuPage County handle the logistics for you. Call us today to arrange a free consultation.
Common Uber Accident Injuries
The vehicle requirements for Uber vehicles are not extensive, basically only requiring that the vehicle be 15 or fewer years old and not have any cosmetic damage or missing pieces. Therefore, accidents involving Uber vehicles tend to cause the same types of injuries that occur in other car accidents, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Arm and leg injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Emotional injuries
If you have suffered any of these injuries, you should not have to bear the burden. Contact our firm today to discuss your case during a free and confidential case consultation.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents in DuPage County
Car accidents can occur for various reasons. However, Uber accidents are often due to the following reasons:
- Drowsy driving – Many Uber drivers drive to supplement their income, so they often start picking up passengers shortly after their work shift finishes or after a minimal amount of rest. Drowsy driving is similar to drunk driving.
- Speeding – Rideshare drivers are paid by the trip, so they are incentivized to get passengers quickly to and from different points. However, speeding increases the likelihood of accidents.
- Aggressive driving – Drivers may weave between lanes, park in unsafe locations, run red lights, fail to yield the right-of-way or drive aggressively to get passengers to their desired destinations.
- Distractions – Rideshare drivers are often operating a cell phone or receiving constant messages on their app for new ride requests, which can make it difficult to concentrate on the task of driving.
- Inexperience – Many young drivers or those who have limited driving experience often take on these jobs for extra cash, so they may not have the experience necessary to safely operate a vehicle for all the miles they may have to travel in a given workday.
An experienced DuPage County Uber accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. Call us today for your free case review.
Insurance for Uber Accidents
One of the factors that make Uber accidents more complicated than many other motor vehicle accident cases is the insurance setup. Different coverage applies depending on when in the process the accident occurs, as follows:
While the App Is Off
The driver’s personal liability policy applies when the driver is offline or off the app. In this situation, the driver should have at least the minimum amount of insurance required in Illinois, which includes:
- $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $20,000 in property damage liability
The driver may have purchased more insurance, but this is the state-mandated minimum.
Waiting for a Ride Request
If the accident occurs while the driver is on the app and is waiting for a ride request but not en route to a specific passenger, third-party liability coverage applies in the following maximum amounts:
- $50,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Typically, the driver must still submit a claim through their liability insurer before this coverage applies.
En Route To Pick Up Passengers and During Trips
The maximum amount of insurance coverage is available when the Uber driver is on the way to pick up riders or during a trip when an accident occurs. In these situations, Uber provides up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. It also provides uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
These insurance amounts apply to drivers of Uber who carry passengers, as well as those who conduct deliveries for Uber.
When Another Party Is At Fault
Just because you get in an accident involving an Uber driver does not automatically mean Uber is responsible for your accident. Illinois is an at-fault state for car insurance claims, so the party who is responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for paying for the damage they cause. Other parties who might be responsible for the accident could be:
- Another driver whose carelessness caused the crash
- An employer if the driver was working at the time of the crash
- A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or auto part that contributed to the crash
- The governmental entity responsible for maintaining the road if poor road conditions contributed to the crash
An experienced DuPage County, Illinois, personal injury lawyer can investigate your case and determine all potentially at-fault parties.
How Much Is My Uber Accident Case Worth in DuPage County, IL?
Determining the value of your DuPage County, IL, Uber accident case can be difficult because every case is different. Various factors can affect the value of a case, such as:
- Your age, health, and occupation
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- How long your recovery period is
- Available insurance coverage
- Whether the accident leaves you with permanent disabilities
- Whether your own negligence contributed to the accident
If you would like insight into the potential value of your case, contact our personal injury law firm for a free consultation. We can give you a better idea about how much your case might be worth after we investigate your case.
Potential Damages To Recover in a DuPage County Uber Rideshare Accident
In Illinois, the damages for which you may be compensated for a car accident generally break down into two categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those losses you experienced that can be quantified, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and employment benefits
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
- Out-of-pocket expenses
These damages also include losses you may incur in the future, such as future medical expenses or lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages represent the other category of damages in Illinois. These losses are not directly tied to an economic loss but still represent losses that the victim should be compensated for, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Mental conditions like depression or anxiety
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In rare circumstances, Illinois courts might award punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious conduct.
How Long Do I Have To File An Injury Claim After An Uber Crash In DuPage County, Illinois?
The statute of limitations is the timeline by which you must take certain legal action. The statute of limitations in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
If this deadline passes and you have not filed a lawsuit against the negligent party, you can be barred from seeking financial relief through the courts. Do not let this happen. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for help today.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a DuPage County Uber Accident Lawyer
If you file a claim against Uber’s insurance policies, you can expect great opposition. However, it might still be in your best interest to pursue such legal action. The Law Offices of Mathys & Schneid can thoroughly investigate your claim and devise a personalized legal strategy for you.
You deserve to be fairly compensated after you were harmed by someone else’s negligence. Our DuPage County Uber accident lawyers will work hard to pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started.
