When a car accident occurs, injured individuals may pursue legal action to recover compensation from at-fault parties. However, car accidents in Chicago may also involve vehicles driving for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. When an Uber or Lyft vehicle gets into an accident, how may a subsequent accident claim differ from traditional car accident cases?
Understanding Rideshare Accident Liability in Chicago
The law treats rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft as independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, when an Uber or Lyft driver causes an auto accident while driving for either company, the company does not bear employer liability for the crash. However, state law requires rideshare companies to furnish insurance coverage for their drivers when they drive for the companies. Once a driver logs out of the rideshare company’s platform, their personal insurance will apply for any accident.
Uber’s Accident Claim Process and Coverage
Uber maintains an insurance policy that provides the coverage required by state law for rideshare companies. This insurance coverage varies in value depending on the Uber driver’s status at the time of the accident. When an accident occurs while the driver has logged into the Uber platform but does not have an active trip request, Uber’s insurance provides $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, and $25,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage. However, once the driver accepts a trip request until they drop off their passenger at their destination, Uber’s insurance policy increases coverage to a combined liability limit of $1 million.
People who suffer injuries in accidents involving Ubers, including Uber passengers or people struck by an Uber driver, can file a claim with Uber through the company’s app or the claims portal on its website. Uber has different claim forms for Uber passengers and third parties involved in accidents with an Uber vehicle.
Lyft’s Accident Claim Process and Coverage
Lyft provides insurance coverage that mirrors Uber’s policies. However, Lyft has a slightly different claims reporting process: its website offers a dedicated portal for drivers, passengers, and third parties to submit accident claims.
Key Differences Between Uber and Lyft Accident Claims
Filing accident claims with Uber or Lyft can vary depending on which driver’s company caused the accident. These differences can include how quickly the company’s insurer processes and pays claims, as well as the documentation required by the rideshare company and its insurer.
Pursuing a rideshare accident claim can also involve different complexities from traditional car accident claims, including the fact that rideshare companies have different insurance requirements from private individuals. Rideshare companies may also more vigorously contest liability for an accident by shifting blame to another driver.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Chicago
Steps you should take after an Uber or Lyft accident in Chicago include:
- Report the accident to law enforcement.
- Take photos of the accident scene and gather information from each driver involved in the accident or from eyewitnesses to the crash.
- Seek prompt medical attention, obtain your treatment records, and keep copies of all bills, invoices, or receipts for expenses.
- Report the crash to the rideshare company via the trip screen in the mobile application or on the company’s website.
- Contact a rideshare accident attorney to discuss your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney
A car accident claim involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle may raise different issues than a standard auto accident. Contact Saperstein Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an auto accident lawyer to learn more about the unique circumstances or challenges you may face when pursuing an Uber or Lyft accident claim.