Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft provide important services to many people. Countless citizens rely on these companies’ services to travel between destinations safely and conveniently. Unfortunately, many accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers still occur.
Both Uber and Lyft carry insurance policies to cover damages caused by their drivers. However, recovering compensation in an Uber and Lyft accident lawsuits can be complicated. Plaintiffs may face various disputes from defendants’ insurance companies.
If you were injured because of an Uber or Lyft accident in Naperville, get help recovering the monetary damages you deserve. Contact our experienced Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Who to Sue After Uber & Lyft Accidents in Naperville
It can be difficult to determine who to sue for damages related to an Uber or Lyft accident. The proper course of action will depend on the cause of your crash. Our Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can offer support to victims in each of the following situations:
After Accidents Caused by Uber or Lyft Drivers
After accidents caused by Uber or Lyft drivers, victims should file claims with the rideshare companies’ insurers. Both companies carry liability insurance to cover damages caused by their drivers. However, you typically cannot file lawsuits against Uber and Lyft for accidents caused by their drivers. That is because rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors rather than regular employees, and companies are typically only responsible for their employees’ negligence. Only in extremely rare cases may lawsuits be filed directly against Uber or Lyft.
Victims may file lawsuits directly against Uber or Lyft drivers after an accident, but drivers usually do not have the resources to pay for damages caused by a crash. However, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies should still cover damages the driver caused.
After Accidents Caused by Other Drivers
If you were riding as an Uber or Lyft passenger and were injured because of a crash caused by another driver, you must file suit against the at-fault driver. There are many types of evidence that may be used to prove another driver was at fault. Our Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help injured passengers when building their case.
After Accidents Caused by Defective Products
Some Uber and Lyft accidents may be caused by defective products. For example, crash victims may suffer injuries because of faulty safety equipment or malfunctioning brake systems. In such cases, manufacturers and sellers can be held responsible for injuries caused by their defective and dangerous products. However, cases based on defective products can be long and complicated. Victims should contact our experienced lawyers for help recovering compensation from negligent sellers and manufacturers.
Comparative Fault in Naperville Uber & Lyft Accident Lawsuits
According to735 ILCS 5/2-1116, courts in Naperville will follow comparative fault rules when awarding damages in Uber and Lyft accident case. This means that damages will be awarded based on a defendants’ percentage of fault. For example, if you were 25% at fault for an accident while the defendant was 75% to blame, the defendant will pay for 75% of damages caused by the crash while you will account for the other 25%. However, plaintiffs that are considered over 50% at fault will be unable to recover damages.
Uber and Lyft’s insurance companies will hire teams of people to shift blame after accidents caused by their drivers. These insurers may hire defense lawyers, doctors, and private investigators to disprove different aspects of your claim. Our Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can fight insurance companies and help prove that a defendant driver was at fault. The following are forms of evidence our team may use when proving fault:
- Witness statements
- Accident reports
- Photos from the scene
- Physical evidence
- Expert witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Personal recollections
Common Causes of Uber & Lyft Accidents in Naperville
Uber and Lyft accidents are often caused by drivers’ careless and reckless behavior. There are many forms of negligent conduct that can cause crashes. The following are common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents in Naperville:
Failing to Yield the Right of Way
Many Uber and Lyft accidents are caused by drivers who fail to yield the right of way. When motorists make improper left turns at intersections or fail to merge onto highways properly, severe accidents can occur. Our Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help victims recover compensation after accidents caused by drivers who failed to yield the right of way.
Tailgating
Tailgating happens when drivers follow too closely behind cars in front of them. Tailgating drivers will may be unable to react if the car in front has to brake. Accordingly, tailgating is the cause of many rear-end collisions.
Uber and Lyft drivers can be in a hurry to get to their next customer or finish their final route of the day. When in a hurry, many drivers engage in tailgating. Victims of Uber and Lyft accidents caused by tailgating drivers may pursue monetary damages.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents. Distracted driving can occur in many forms. Drivers can be visually distracted, manually distracted, or mentally distracted. Visual distraction occurs when drivers take their eyes off the road while manual distraction refers to situations where drivers take their hands off the wheel. Mental distraction happens when drivers take their mind off the task of driving.
Some activities involve multiple types of distraction. The following are activities that frequently distract Uber and Lyft drivers in Naperville:
- Using their rideshare app
- Talking to passengers
- Texting
- Picking music on a mobile device
- Viewing social media on a mobile device
- Utilizing a GPS
- Eating
- Talking on the phone
Victims of rideshare accidents caused by distracted drivers can contact our Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for help building their case.
If You Were Injured Because of an Uber or Lyft Accident in Naperville, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of an Uber or Lyft accident, seek assistance from our experienced Naperville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
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