O'Hare Area Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
Lawyers for Victims of Crashes Involving Limos and Cars for Hire in Des Plaines, Chicago, and Cook County
Across the country, ridesharing or ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft have revolutionized the way in which people get from one place to another. In doing so, these companies have positioned themselves as direct competition to traditional taxi services, forcing cab companies in many communities to re-evaluate their entire business model. Depending on where you are and where you are going, the web-based ridesharing services are often faster, cheaper, and more available than regular cabs usually are. Grabbing an Uber or Lyft, however, is not without risk.
At Kaiser Law, we understand that when you use a ridesharing app, you expect to get to your destination safely and in a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, however, accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles, as well as limousines and other cars for hire, do happen—and more often than you might think. When a crash involving a hired vehicle does occur, the path to recovering compensation can be long and challenging, largely due to the complexity of the insurance coverages that most such services carry. If you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident while taking an Uber or Lyft or a vehicle for hire crashed into your car, our experienced personal injury lawyers will help you secure the compensation you need to start rebuilding your life.
Trusted Cook County Counsel for Injured Victims
Rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber conduct safety screenings and background checks in an effort to ensure their drivers are able to offer the companies' customers a safe and pleasant experience. Despite these policies and procedures, Uber and Lyft drivers are not professionals, and they are not required to obtain any specific training beyond that required to obtain a driver's license. When you get into an Uber or Lyft vehicle—or any other for-hire vehicle—the company's insurance policy should cover any injuries you sustain in the event of an accident.
Under Illinois law, rideshare companies must also carry primary liability coverage whenever the driver is online and active, even if there is no passenger in the rideshare vehicle. This means that if the driver causes a crash while online with Uber or Lyft, the company's insurance coverage should cover any damages that result, regardless of whether the driver had an "active" ride.
In reality, however, getting a rideshare company's insurer to cover your injuries is not always easy. The company or the insurance carrier could try to shift the blame to the driver personally or to you, depending on the situation. The insurer could also attempt to dispute the extent of your injuries to reduce its liability. To get the full compensation you need, it might be necessary to file claims with several different insurance carriers, including your own carrier and that of the at-fault driver. At Kaiser Law, our team will work closely with you to determine which party or parties should be responsible for your injuries, and we will help you build a case for full compensation under the law.
Attorneys Fighting for You in Northlake and Niles
Any company that offers cars for hire, including those that hire out limousines and town cars, tend to be very protective of their reputations. As a result, they are often extremely hesitant to accept blame for any crash that occurs. This is especially true when you are involved in an accident for a car for hire while driving your own vehicle. If a hired vehicle caused a crash in which you were injured, you need an advocate who will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. At Kaiser Law, we have helped many clients who were injured in accidents with taxis, limousines, and other for-hire vehicles, and we are ready to help you as well.
Call 630-233-9946 Today
To learn more about recovering damages following an accident involving a rideshare or for-hire vehicle, contact our law firm today. Call 630-233-9946 for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney today. Our team serves injured victims and their families in DuPage County, Cook County, and the surrounding areas.