More and more people have started to take advantage of ridesharing services in recent years. Arranging rides with Uber and Lyft is convenient, affordable, and user friendly. Ridesharing services also provide a safer option for people who have been drinking. Unfortunately, rideshare car drivers get into just as many accidents as other motorists.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries while you were a passenger in one of the many Uber/rideshare car accidents in Decatur, you might be eligible for financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. A qualified local attorney could review your claim to help you determine who is legally responsible for causing your injuries and hold them financially liable.
Potential Defendants in a Rideshare Vehicle Wrecks
It can be problematic to identify who is responsible for paying for an injured rideshare passenger’s injuries, which is why it is critical to work with local law firms that have experience identifying the potentially responsible parties.
Uber or Lyft Driver
Most car crashes, including those involving rideshares, occur due to negligent or reckless driving mistakes. Many crashes happen when drivers speed, tailgate, make unsafe lane changes, or drive while intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted. An experienced Decatur attorney could investigate the accident to determine the precise cause. In the event that an Uber driver’s negligent or reckless mistakes led to the crash, a skilled attorney could help pursue damages from that motorist and their personal insurance company.
Rideshare Company
Sometimes, the at-fault rideshare driver might not have sufficient coverage in their personal insurance plan to cover all of an injured passenger’s expenses. In this case, the injured passenger might look to see if they can seek damages from the rideshare company. If the driver was not actively logged into the rideshare app, the rideshare company may have a defense against claims for injuries resulting from a crash. However, if the Uber driver was actually transporting a passenger, en route to pick up another passenger, or just logged into the app at the time of the crash, a court could deem the rideshare company legally responsible for the driver’s mistakes.
Uber and Lyft are large companies with extensive resources to fight liability. Fortunately, seasoned Decatur attorneys have the experience necessary to stand up against these large rideshare companies and their insurance companies.
Third Party Liability
A local law firm could also help an injured claimant pursue a lawsuit against any other party who bore a part in a crash, such as an at-fault third party driver.
Statute of Limitations for Decatur Uber Accidents
It is important to discuss your claim with an experienced Decatur attorney as soon as possible after an Uber accident before witnesses’ memories begin to fade or crucial evidence is misplaced. In addition, Illinois law generally requires injured claimants to file personal injury suits within two years of an accident. A different statute of limitations may apply if the injured party was a minor or if a defendant is a governmental entity, and the best way to determine what deadlines apply to your case is a free consultation with a Decatur injury attorney.
Get Assistance from a Decatur Attorney with Experience in Uber-Rideshare Car Accidents
Accidents involving rideshare vehicles often have complicated insurance and liability issues. It is critical to work with a law firm that understands all of the complex issues involved in Uber/rideshare car accidents in Decatur. If you sustained injuries in a rideshare accident, our team could provide reliable guidance to help you get the recovery that you deserve. Get in touch today.