An Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL from Therman Law Offices, LTD. knows that in the majority of motor vehicle accidents in Illinois, one driver is deemed at fault and is legally liable for any damages that the accident caused, including injuries to victims and property damage. If the at-fault driver is a private citizen, driving their own vehicle, then the victim files their claim against that driver’s insurance company. But what happens if the at-fault driver is an Uber driver?
Illinois Uber Accident Law Firm
Our team can meet and discuss the details of your case and offer advice on what legal options you may have. Our firm has successfully represented many clients who have been injured in Uber accidents and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free case evaluation.
What To Do if You’re a Passenger In a Ridesharing Accident
Being a passenger in an Uber accident can be a frightening experience. Having an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL at your side can bring you peace of mind. Call Therman Law Offices, LTD, to make sure you receive just compensation for any injuries you endured as a result of someone else’s negligence.
Steps To Take Following an Uber Accident
The steps you take after being involved in an Uber accident are critical to your claim. If you are able, you should
- Call 911 so help arrives as soon as possible.
- Check everyone’s condition and provide assistance if possible.
- Take photos of the accident.
- Document the accident as it occurred from your perspective. It helps to retain information if you write it down.
- Document the name of the Uber driver as well as anyone else who was a party to the accident.
- Be seen by a physician even if you don’t believe you’re injured.
- File a third-party claim with the insurance company of the driver who was at fault.
- Don’t accept any early settlement offers.
- Call an Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL
The sooner you call an attorney, the sooner you’ll have an experienced representative on your side to negotiate your settlement claim. Therman Law Offices, LTD, are here to help.
What To Do if You’re Injured in an Uber Accident
If you are injured in an Uber accident, you may not be able to take all the steps needed to properly and immediately document your claim.
- The most important thing you can do is remain calm and make sure someone has called for help.
- If you are able, get the names of anyone who works with you on the scene.
- After you have received medical attention, call an Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL.
- File a third-party claim with the insurance company of the driver who was at fault.
Always seek medical attention when involved in an Uber accident, even if you don’t believe you were injured. Some injuries can take time to reveal themselves.
Seek legal assistance as soon as you are able. Therman Law Offices, LTD, are experienced Uber accident lawyers and we can get you just compensation for your injuries as well as any lost wages as a result of the accident.
Insurance companies can drag their feet and will offer you the lowest possible settlement offer they can. Therman Law Offices, LTD, won’t settle for less than you deserve.
3 Safety dos and Don’ts for Uber Drivers
For you, Uber is an excellent opportunity to make some money while doing what you already love: Driving. However, loving to drive and needing the money is not all it takes to be a great and reliable rideshare driver. Unless you want to get into a situation where you are in desperate need of a Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL, here are several tips to follow in order to be a safer rideshare driver.
1. Do Get Plenty of Sleep
As a driver for a rideshare company, you might feel the pressure to work around the clock. It’s tempting to squeeze work in whenever possible, but shortchanging yourself on sleep is not safe for you or your passengers. The advice any Therman Law Offices, LTD attorney may give you is to book rides only after you are well rested and wide awake. This way, you are fully in control of your vehicle, your timing is fast, and you can make smart executive decisions quickly to decrease the risk of an accident.
2. Don’t Overbook Yourself
Many people who seek out a Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL are involved in rideshare accidents due to rushed drivers. Of course, a fair share of rideshare accidents are not caused by rideshare drivers themselves, but when a driver is rushing from job to job, accidents are more likely to take place.
Instead of overlapping your bookings, take care of one ride at a time and plan your routes to maximize your cash flow. This allows your passengers to avoid rushing as well, and it decreases the chances that anyone is hurt, even in between rides.
3. Do Follow Traffic Signs and Road Safety Guidelines
One of the most straightforward pieces of advice a Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL can give you is to always follow road signs and traffic rules to the tee. Stay within speed limits, and be extra vigilant when driving in poor weather conditions.
By driving according to all traffic rules and safety guidelines, not only do you reduce your chances of getting into an accident, but you reduce the chances that you will be blamed. Your Therman Law Offices, LTD attorney will ask you if you were a compliant driver in the event of an accident. Your case will be much more plausible if you can say yes to that question, and if you have any proof to back you up.
Ridesharing Vehicle Accidents
There are other accident scenarios for which determining the party who is responsible for damages may not be so cut and dry. This is particularly true when the driver responsible for the accident is engaged in rideshare activities for companies such as Uber or Lyft. Ridesharing has caught on like wildfire in many states across the country and that also means ridesharing more accidents. When a ridesharing driver causes a crash then the party who is liable for any damages is determined by what the driver’s status was at the time of the crash.
An Uber accident lawyer knows that the corporation that runs Uber has set up a policy for how they handle car accidents involving their drivers. The following is how they determine liability:
- If a ridesharing driver is responsible for a motor vehicle accident, has no passengers in the vehicle, and does not have their driver app on and is available, then claims can only be filed against his or her insurance policy.
- If a ridesharing driver is responsible for a motor vehicle accident, had no passengers in the vehicle, but they were logged into the driver app and available, then claims can only be filed against both the ridesharing corporate insurance and the driver’s insurance.
- If a ridesharing driver is responsible for a motor vehicle accident, and has passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash, then the ridesharing corporate insurance is responsible for covering the damages for all claims filed in the accident.
Causes of Ridesharing Accidents
Rdiesharing colisions have caused injuries to thousands of passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other cars. Studies show that just the presence of ridesharing cars on the roadway increases the odds of accidents and fatalities in that area. Furthermore, along with the indirect effect it has on traffic safety, drivers of ridesharing companies are often directly involved in why the accident happened at all. Drivers are dashing to and from trying to get passengers where they need to go as quickly as possible. But in their effort to get a job done, they may speed, drive recklessly, and not be as aware of how their actions are endangering others.
Other reasons why ridesharing accidents occur is frequently due to one or more of the following:
Inexperience Driving
As your IL Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton can tell you, rideshare drivers may not have the level of experience driving as you would imagine. In fact, research suggests that rideshare drivers have less driving experience compared to taxi drivers. To protect yourself from drivers who don’t have enough knowledge behind the wheel, consider taking other modes of transportation whenever possible. Or at the very least, opt for drivers who have plenty of high ratings and been with the ridesharing company for a long time.
Poor Road Conditions
When fog, rain, or snow is present, it is especially important to obey the rules of the road and drive with extra caution. Rideshare drivers must know to slow down, and if they don’t, they are risking causing a serious accident where many people can get hurt. Decreased visibility is common during poor weather conditions, so some trepidation can be helpful. Understanding how to drive under certain weather or road conditions, such as construction or heavy congestion, takes significant know-how.
Driving While Drowsy or Intoxicated
Drowsy driving is almost as dangerous as being behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. An estimated two in every ten drivers would admit to having fallen asleep while driving within the past year. Many rideshare drivers have other jobs aside from transporting passengers, and may end up too sleepy to drive safely if they are overworked. Common signs that a driver may be driving drowsy or intoxicated include:
- Tailgating
- Rapid deceleration or acceleration
- Weaving within a lane or across road
- Almost hitting another car, curb, or object
- Inability to stop without erratic breaking
- Yawning constantly
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Slow blinking and rubbing eyes
3 Vital Tips for Staying Safe as an Uber Passenger
1. Remain Indoors
Scammers are always ready to pounce on unsuspecting victims; this is just as true with people posing as Uber drivers (aka Uber Impersonators). It’s easy for one of these swindlers to spot you waiting for something, often correctly assuming you’re awaiting an Uber. It could be dangerous to get into the wrong car mistakingly. Unfortunately, as vigilant as Uber is about providing safety measures for everyone involved, you could one day find yourself looking for an Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL, such as Therman Law Offices, LTD.
Wait for your ride indoors, if possible; you won’t be as vulnerable to others. As you’re waiting, review the driver’s details on the app, particularly their driver rating. If you see that they have a low rating, or if anything else prompts second thoughts, you may want to cancel the trip and find a different driver about whom you have a better sense.
2. Ask the Driver To Wait In an Open Area
Ask your driver to park in a well-lit area and flash their lights. This way, you can quickly identify your driver’s location and details from a safe distance. It can also be advantageous to watch the driver’s behavior before approaching the car.
3. Review Your Ride Details
It is easy to become slack about safety, especially after taking multiple rideshare trips with no incidents. We at Therman Law Offices, LTD, an Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL, believe that following all of Uber’s safety recommendations is critical.
As you approach the vehicle, do not open a door until you match the license plate number and car make and model listed in your ride details in the Uber app with the assumed vehicle. Then, verify the driver’s photo in the app to ensure the same person is at the wheel. Another great practice is to ask the driver to tell you your name and destination before you get in the car. Uber drivers must know this information before each trip, so if they don’t know your details, something is wrong; you should steer clear. Another safety measure is to ask the driver’s name and check it against the name on the Uber app. Finally, you will need to use the Verify Your Ride procedure. This process involves giving the driver the four-digit PIN that the Uber app will issue you. You must verbally relay the PIN to the driver. Then, the driver will have to enter this number into their phone to verify that the correct rider and driver are paired with one another. If you have issues on your next trip, an Uber accident lawyer in Wheaton, IL is ready to help.
Contact Car Accident Law Firm for Help
As described above, ridesharing accidents can be complex to process, especially if you are dealing with more than one insurance company. It is important to remember the insurance companies are in business to make a profit. Any funds they have to pay out in damages cuts into their bottom line and this is why their incentive is always to pay out the very minimum they can get away with or deny the claim completely. If you have been injured in a ridesharing accident, call a Wheaton, IL Uber accident lawyer from Therman Law Offices, LTD now.