If you are injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver, such as Uber or Lyft, it can be difficult to determine who is ultimately responsible. It is important to know where liability lies and what legal options are available in order to receive the compensation you deserve. There are several parties that could potentially be held liable after a rideshare accident. Let’s take a closer look at the potential liable parties and how a lawyer can help.
The most obvious party that may be held responsible for an accident involving a rideshare driver is the driver themselves. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy could cover some of your damages if they are determined to be at fault. However, many policies do not cover accidents that occurred while their vehicles were being used as part of commercial activities, so it is wise to check with your own insurer regarding coverage.
In addition to the rideshare driver themselves, there are other possible liable parties depending on the circumstances of the accident. For example, if the vehicle had mechanical issues that caused or contributed to the accident, then there might be legal action against whoever performed maintenance or repairs on the car prior to the incident. Additionally, if another motorist was involved in causing or contributing to the accident, then they too could potentially be held liable for any damages incurred.
In some cases, Uber and other ridesharing companies may also be held responsible for an accident involving one of their drivers due to certain laws and regulations that have been established by local governments regarding these services. For instance, in Illinois, ridesharing companies like Uber must carry insurance policies with minimum coverage amounts of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident for bodily injury liability coverage as well as $25,000 per incident property damage liability coverage. This means that if an Uber driver causes an accident resulting in more than $50k worth of bodily injury damages or more than $25k worth of property damages, then Uber could potentially be found liable for those costs along with any additional fees associated with those costs (such as medical bills).
If you have been injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, it is important to contact an experienced attorney right away so they can help determine who was liable and what legal options you may have available to you. An attorney will not only ensure that all necessary evidence is gathered, but they can also help negotiate with any potential defendants (including rideshare companies) and make sure that your rights are protected throughout every step of the process. Furthermore, they can provide invaluable advice on how best to proceed with your case given all relevant facts and circumstances. This will ultimately increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and/or losses suffered due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness behind the wheel of a vehicle.
No one should ever have to suffer because someone else acted negligently or recklessly behind the wheel of a vehicle, especially when it involves ridesharing drivers who operate under special rules and regulations set forth by local governments like those here in Chicago. If you have been injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, it is important to seek out qualified legal representation, so they can assess all possible liable parties and ensure that your rights remain protected throughout every step of the process. From investigation through settlement negotiations, a knowledgeable lawyer from The Horwitz Law Group will fight hard on your behalf so that you get everything you need in order to move forward with your life post-accident. Contact us today for a consultation.
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