Belleville Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft help transport millions of people per day and account for billions of total trips in the United States each year. Illinois’ public transportation, while efficient, has lost passengers to rideshare companies because they help people arrive at their destinations faster. As a Belleville rideshare accident lawyer, I know the dangers of injury that people face any time they hop in an Uber or a Lyft. Increased traffic and congestion have led to roads being less safe. If you open the Uber or Lyft app and schedule a ride, chances are, you’ll get to your destination safely. However, car accidents involving rideshare vehicles can and do occur. When an accident does occur, you need to know what steps to take to protect yourself and your rights.  

When Should I Call A Belleville Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

Every day, rideshare drivers get into accidents. If you’ve been involved in one of these accidents and have sustained injuries or damage, you should contact a lawyer to help you seek the compensation that you deserve. You should consider calling a lawyer if you were:

• Hit while walking
• Riding your bike
• Driving your car
• A passenger in the vehicle

I’ll work to protect your rights if you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in Belleville. Your injuries deserve compensation, and I’ll fight to make sure that you receive the compensation available to you as a result of the accident.  

What Steps Should I Take After A Rideshare Accident?

Protecting your legal rights is the first thing you should do if you’re involved in a rideshare accident. Anyone that is involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver should take the following steps to protect their rights:

• Medical attention. The first and most important step is to get medical attention. An ambulance will likely be dispatched to the scene of the accident if there are injuries. Even if you don’t feel injured, a checkup is necessary because pain may not present immediately. Seeking medical attention and starting treatment is your top priority.
• Report the Accident. Report the accident, with just the basic facts, to the rideshare company, driver’s insurer or your insurer. It’s important to make a report, but never say more than necessary because you may hurt your claim if you say anything that the insurer can blame on you, another driver or someone else.
• Ask for a Crash Report. Law enforcement should be dispatched to the scene of the accident and write a report. Contact the agency to request the crash report.
• Maintain Good Records. Be sure to maintain good records of the accident, medical bills, pictures of the accident – anything relevant to the incident.

You’ll want to contact a lawyer and refer the insurance company where you filed a claim to your lawyer. The lawyer will ensure you don’t accept a settlement that isn’t fair.  

What Are Some Of The Most Common Injuries In A Rideshare Accident?

Car accidents can lead to an array of injuries, but the most common ones include:

• Back injuries
• Brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Cuts and contusions
• Joint injuries and/or damage
• Neck injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Whiplash

Your injuries will depend on how the accident occurs and if you were in an automobile or not. A pedestrian hit by an Uber driver while walking or riding their bike may suffer from serious injuries that might have been prevented if you were in an automobile and the airbag deployed. In the most serious cases, you may suffer from a traumatic brain injury or spinal injury that results in you having to undergo surgery or intense therapy.  

Can Uber Or Lyft Be Held Accountable For My Injuries?

Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in coverage to all drivers that have been found at fault in accidents. Both companies have insurance policies that cover the driver and all passengers in the vehicle if an accident occurs. Policies should pay out if:

• Your rideshare driver was at fault for the accident
• The accident was a hit and run
• The at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured

If the opposing driver was found to be at fault for the accident, you’ll have to file a claim with that driver’s insurance company. Uber and Lyft will cover medical bills and be liable if your Uber or Lyft driver was responsible for the accident occurring. Drivers may be personally liable if the driver was “offline” at the time of the accident. In this case, your claim would likely be filed with the driver’s personal insurance company rather than with Uber or Lyft. There may be times when the driver is “online” waiting for a request and an accident occurs. When this happens, a claim may be able to be filed with the driver’s and rideshare company’s insurance. A Belleville rideshare accident lawyer will help you determine where to file a claim and who should be held liable for the damages and/or injuries you sustained.  

TOP-RATED BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS RIDESHARE ACCIDENT LAWYER

Choosing a rideshare accident lawyer to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve is an important decision. The Law Office of Jason B Going is experienced and proven when it comes to rideshare accident and other personal injury cases, and they will give you the best chance at a favorable outcome in your case. If you have been injured due to the negligent acts or omissions of someone else, we can help get you the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.