Joliet Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Rideshare Accident Attorney in Will County

Rideshare services are often used by people for safety reasons. Using Uber or Lyft to get directly from your home to your destination and back in a private car can be safer and easier than using public transportation. Rideshare services can also provide a safe and sober ride home for people who have been drinking. However, rideshare drivers are not always safe drivers themselves. They are just as likely - or perhaps even more likely - than any other driver to make a mistake or to drive carelessly without paying close attention to the road. Because rideshare drivers spend most of their working hours on the road, they may develop a false sense of security, and they may begin to feel more comfortable using their cell phones behind the wheel or driving more quickly. This can be dangerous not only for their passengers, but to everyone else who happens to be on or near the road. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be wondering what happened and how you are going to get the compensation you need.

Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is experienced in helping people who have been injured by negligent rideshare drivers. We are skilled in pursuing fair and full settlements that cover your expenses and losses related to the accident. Many are surprised to learn that Uber or Lyft is usually not generally the party responsible for compensating you, even when one of their drivers causes an accident. Uber and Lyft drivers are generally independent contractors rather than employees, which can make it very difficult or impossible to hold these companies liable for their drivers' mistakes. This does not mean you are out of luck - both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry their own car insurance in addition to providing supplemental insurance policies that can help to cover your costs.

Understanding the Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents

Uber and Lyft accidents share many of the same common causes of truck accidents. When a person drives to earn a living, they can quickly become complacent. They may start out their line of work safety-focused and alert, but over time as they become used to driving all day, they may begin to slip and develop bad habits. Common causes of car accidents where a rideshare driver is at fault include:

• Distracted driving - Just as desk workers who have been at their job a while may get comfortable using their phones for personal reasons at their desks, rideshare drivers may begin to believe that they are capable of answering calls or text messages while they are working. These distractions can take a driver's eyes and attention away from the road, causing them to miss important details, which could lead to dangerous collisions.
• Hurried driving - One of the safety problems inherent to Uber and Lyft is that drivers are financially motivated to complete each trip as quickly as possible so that they can move on to the next fare. This can lead rideshare drivers to rush through each trip even if it means driving over the speed limit, weaving in and out of traffic, or failing to yield where required.
• Drunk driving - Especially for rideshare drivers who work late at night or on the weekends when they are likely picking up passengers from bars, there is always the risk that the driver has decided they can "safely" have a few drinks. Alcohol consumption or the use of drugs can impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely, and it is likely to lead to an accident.
• Vehicle repair issues - Most Uber and Lyft drivers are working using their own personal vehicles. It can be very easy for drivers who have not worked professionally before to underestimate the amount of maintenance a car used for commercial purposes will require. Issues like brake failure can suddenly appear, leading to a loss of control and potentially causing accidents.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, you may be able to recover most or all of your costs and losses related to the crash. However, pursuing damages after a rideshare accident can be complicated, as there may be multiple insurance policies in play.

Contact a Will County Rideshare Accidents Attorney

Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is skilled in helping people who have been injured by rideshare drivers recover the compensation they need. To begin with a complimentary consultation, please contact us at 815-730-1977. We provide legal services on a contingency basis, so you will only be required to pay if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.