Chicago Uber Accident Attorney

If you suffered injuries in a rideshare accident in Chicago, you may be entitled to receive up to $1 million in compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Unfortunately, recovering the money you need to pay for your medical bills and lost wages is almost never easy. Insurance companies often deny, delay, or devalue legitimate personal injury claims. When you have a rideshare giant like Uber or Lyft involved, winning compensation will likely be even more challenging. Hiring an experienced Uber accident lawyer with Ankin Law, however, will make your path to recovery go a lot smoother. 

With over 80 experienced personal injury attorneys and staff members on your side, access to top experts, investigators, and accident reconstructionists, and no upfront fees, you have nothing to lose and everything to WIN

Contact a Chicago Uber accident attorney at Ankin Law to get started with your recovery. (312) 600-0000.

$10
Million
as co-counsel for misdiagnosis resulting in above-the-knee leg amputation. 2021
$9
Million
in combined benefits for tradesman who fell from scaffold. 2022.
$6
Million
as co-counsel for a client who suffocated and died while cleaning her tracheotomy. 2016.
$5.6
Million
as co-counsel for anesthesia death. 2015.

How the Uber Accident Attorneys at Ankin Law Maximize Your Recovery

The car accident lawyers at Ankin Law have been fighting for the rights of injured victims in Chicago since 1940. Our law firm has gone up against multi-billion dollar insurance companies and large corporations to recover hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.  

Here’s why we win more for accident victims in Illinois.

We Are Experienced Trial Lawyers

At Ankin Law, our reputation for taking complicated accident cases to court – and winning – is often enough to sway insurance companies who would otherwise resist settlement negotiations. Our Uber accident attorneys prepare every case as if it is headed for trial. We examine all evidence and anticipate unexpected arguments to deflect the opposition’s attempts at minimizing your recovery. 

We Employ Strategies that Help You Win

Our rideshare accident lawyers know what it takes to win your case. We look beyond the surface to uncover crucial details, identify liable parties, and pursue compensation from sources other, less experienced lawyers might not consider. Our law firm has have helped more than 25,000 victims throughout Illinois recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We Have Access to Invaluable Resources

The Uber accident attorneys at Ankin Law have established relationships with top accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and other specialists throughout the United States. We often rely on their expertise to help us establish the cause of crashes, prove the severity of injuries, and determine the value of car accident cases.  

We Get Exceptional Results

Without experienced legal representation, only about 51% of accident victims recover compensation in personal injury cases. Those who do win rarely recover enough compensation to pay for their medical bills, let alone their other losses like lost wages and pain and suffering. Our rideshare accident lawyers have a 99% win rate, and we help victims recover up to three times more than they would likely recover on their own. 

How Much Is an Uber Accident Claim Worth?

One of the most common questions clients ask our Uber accident attorneys is “How much is my rideshare accident worth?” Unfortunately, determining how much to expect from a car accident involving Uber isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. While Uber provides a $1 million liability insurance policy to protect its drivers and rideshare passengers, the value of your claim will depend on a variety of factors.  

To determine the value of your Uber accident claim, our lawyers will consider: 

1  The cause of your accident
2 
Whether multiple parties played a role in causing your crash
3 
The severity of your injuries
4 
The status of the Uber driver when the accident happened

After our rideshare accident lawyers determine the cause(s) of your accident and gather evidence to prove negligence, we will obtain information from your medical providers to evaluate the severity of your injuries and the impact they will have on your future. 

You may be able to recover compensation for:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses that you have incurred or will incur because of your rideshare accident. Your economic damages might include things like:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills
  • Medication Costs
  • Cost of medical equipment
  • In-home nursing care
  • Modifications to your home or vehicle

It will be up to you and your Uber accident lawyer to prove your economic losses in court. As such,  you should maintain documentation of any out-of-pocket expenses, and save all applicable statements, bills, and receipts.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify. These losses do not represent a monetary expenditure, so there are no bills or receipts to consider. In rideshare accident cases, non-economic damages often include:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability 
  • Disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of consortium

In most Uber accident cases in Illinois, the dollar amount for a victim’s non-economic damages will be determined by multiplying a specified number by the amount of his or her economic damages. 

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, the jury may also award punitive damages in Uber accident cases. These damages are unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to make the victim “whole”. Instead, they are designed to punish the at-fault party for especially egregious actions. Sometimes, punitive damages are also imposed to deter similar actions in the future. Punitive damages may be awarded when:

  • The actions of the at-fault party were intentional
  • A habitual DUI offender causes a crash
  • The at-fault driver was racing or performing acts that obviously disregarded the safety of others

Determining Liability for Uber Accidents

Once we have evaluated your losses and determined the cause of your Uber accident, our team will need to identify the parties that may be held liable for damages. We will look at the insurance companies and their coverages, and other sources of compensation that might be available to pay for your losses. You file be able to file a lawsuit against:

  • A negligent Uber driver
  • Another negligent motorist
  • The other driver’s personal auto liability insurance policy
  • A transit company
  • A government agency
  • A negligent vehicle or parts manufacturer
  • Uber’s insurance policy
  • Uber

How Does Uber’s Insurance Policy Work?

Uber’s insurance policy is separated into three tiers. The status of the Uber driver plays a significant role in determining which part of the policy applies. To determine who will ultimately be responsible for paying for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and how much coverage is available to pay for these losses, our Uber accident attorneys will look at whether:

The Uber Driver Was Logged Into the App

Uber’s insurance only applies if an injury happens when the Uber driver was logged into the app. If the driver was “off duty” and using the vehicle for other purposes when your accident occurred, Uber will deny liability for your injuries. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies. If the driver’s coverage is insufficient to cover your losses, or the driver does not have liability insurance, you may be able to file a claim against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. To maximize your injury settlement, your Uber accident lawyer may also look at other, third parties who may have played a role in causing your accident. In Illinois, drivers must maintain minimum liability coverages of:

  • $20,000 for property damage per accident
  • $25,000 for injury or death of one person
  • $50,000 for injury or death per accident

The Uber Driver Was Logged Into the App, and Was Waiting for a Ride Request

If the rideshare driver was logged into the Uber app, but had not accepted a ride request when your car accident happened, you may be able to recover compensation under Uber’s limited liability policy. Although the driver and his or her personal insurance policy will be your primary source of compensation, Uber’s policy will pick up the tab for additional losses if your damages exceed the driver’s policy limits. Under these circumstances, Uber’s policy covers up to:

  • $25,000 in property damage per accident
  • $50,000 in bodily injury or death of one person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury or death per accident

The Uber Driver Was in Driving Mode

If the Uber driver had accepted a ride request, or was transporting passengers when the accident occurred, Uber’s $1 million liability insurance policy becomes effective. This policy covers property damage, bodily injuries, and deaths that occur anytime between when the driver accepts a ride request to when the passenger exits the vehicle and the ride is ended. Again, the driver and his or her personal insurance policy will be primary, but Uber’s policy will cover the difference between the amount you can recover from those sources and the total of your damages, up to Uber’s policy limits. For damages in a covered accident, Uber’s policy provides:

  • $1 million in liability insurance if the Uber driver causes an accident
  • $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if a third party causes a crash

Contact our Chicago Uber accident lawyers at (312) 600-0000 to find out how much your rideshare injury claim is worth. 

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    Knowledge
    Center:
    Helpful Resources from Our Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorneys

    What to Do if You Are Injured in an Uber Accident

    If you were injured in an Uber accident in Chicago, our rideshare injury lawyers will guide you through the claims process, gather evidence to build your case, negotiate with the insurance companies, and present your case in court if necessary. In the meantime, however, there are various things you can do to help ensure your Uber accident case is successful.

    Obtaining Medical Treatment

    Your wellbeing is priority after an Uber accident. In addition to getting an evaluation and medical treatment from a healthcare professional right after your crash, it’s important to follow up with your doctors in the weeks and months following your accident as well. Be sure to attend all of your doctor appointments and follow-up visits, therapy visits, etc., and get any prescriptions filled. Follow any advice from your medical team, including observing lifting or movement restrictions. Be sure you keep all receipts for any medical expenses you pay out-of-pocket, including those for prescription medications or required medical devices and equipment. Your Uber accident lawyer will also use your medical records and testimony from your medical provider(s) to prove your case.

    Documenting the Accident

    Your memory of the Uber accident will likely fade over time, so it is important to document the details of your accident and preserve any evidence that may explain how the accident happened. In addition to taking pictures or videos of the accident scene, be sure to write down the details of the crash as soon as you can. It’s also a good idea to write down the contact information for any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur. Getting copies of police reports and any communication with Uber or the insurance company may also help your case.

    Posting on Social Media

    Avoid making posts or uploading photos on social media. This includes not making posts or posting pictures about activities you are participating in. Large corporations and insurance companies often employ claims investigators who may monitor your accounts. These investigators and the other side’s attorneys may attempt to use your posts, comments, and/or pictures on social media to contest fault, minimize the severity of your injuries, or otherwise avoid paying out on your claim.

    Communicating with Uber and the Insurance Company

    The other side, their attorneys, or their insurance company representatives may contact you to ask you about the accident. They may even offer you a settlement. Do not accept a settlement offer, attempt to negotiate with the insurance company, or make any recorded statements without seeking advice from your Uber accident lawyer. In fact, it is in your best interest to direct all communication from insurers or Uber to your attorney, who will ensure your rights as a victim are protected.

    Contact a Chicago Uber accident attorney at Ankin Law for a FREE case evaluation. (312) 600-0000

    Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Accidents in Illinois

    1

    How long do I have to file an Uber accident lawsuit in Chicago?

    If you were injured in an Uber accident in Chicago or one of the surrounding communities, you generally have just two years to file an injury lawsuit. Exceptions may apply in your situation, however. If you wait too long to take legal action, you may be barred from recovering compensation.

    2

    Can a rider sue Uber for a car accident?

    In most cases, Uber accident victims will need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto liability policy and/or Uber’s insurance policy to recover compensation. You may be able to sue Uber directly in some situations, however. An Uber accident lawyer can help you determine the best way to proceed in your case.

    3

    Does UberEats pay for accidents?

    UberEats accident victims are covered by virtually the same auto liability insurance coverages that are available to rideshare accident victims. If the driver is not logged into the app, his or her own private insurance applies. If the driver is logged into the app, but between deliveries when an accident happens, limited coverage pays for up to $50,000 in injuries that are not covered by the driver’s personal insurance. Accidents that occur when UberEats drivers are actively making deliveries are covered for up to $1 million. 

    What Our Clients Say About Us

    After a car accident, I contacted Ankin Law. They are a good firm. I had two different lawyers work on my case. I was able to contact them with any questions I had. I had few. So, it wasn’t that often. Ultimately, I was very happy with the final result. Thank you, Ankin Law. I will use them again if I need to. I am just hoping I don’t! Five stars for sure!

    ~ Tim S.