Rideshare vehicles are sometimes touted as a safer alternative to driving yourself, but this is not always the case. Uber drivers can do and make mistakes, or they can fall victim to the reckless actions of others. Either way, you could be left with life-altering injuries and financial uncertainty.
How did your crash happen, and how can you recover compensation? Our Evanston car accident lawyer wants to help you answer these critical questions. Since 1984, Robert J. Rooth has been fighting for justice for accident victims throughout the region. Now, we are ready to fight for you.
Call today to find out what our Evanston Uber accident attorney can do for you.
Can You Sue Uber if You Get Into an Accident?
It may be possible to sue Uber, depending on the specifics of your case. However, this will probably not be your first step. It is often possible to recover fair compensation without going to trial at all.
Our Evanston personal injury lawyer takes the time to get to know each individual client, prioritize their needs, and come up with a creative legal strategy tailored specifically to their case. Here is how we do it:
- First, let us evaluate your case for free so we can both gain a better understanding of your situation.
- Once we take on your case, we investigate thoroughly to figure out if you should seek compensation from Uber, the Uber driver, or someone else.
- After identifying the at-fault party, our lawyer can communicate with their insurer to see if they are open to negotiating or offering a fair settlement.
- If, for whatever reason, settling out of court is not possible, we can prepare your case for trial and represent you at the appropriate venue (for example, the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County).
- All along the way, we will keep you updated and provide legal advice whenever you ask for it.
Our legal team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns. We recognize that you have been wronged and are searching for justice. We want to advance that search on your behalf.
Who Can Sue for a Rideshare Accident?
Anyone injured by someone else’s negligence can potentially file a claim or lawsuit. This includes:
- Occupants of non-rideshare vehicles
- Pedestrians
- Uber passengers
- Uber drivers
Do you know or even just suspect that negligence played a role in your accident? The Rooth Law Firm is ready to hear your story. We are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for their actions, and the first step in that process is reaching out to our team for information and advice.
Whose Insurance Pays My Medical Bills and Other Expenses?
Determining who pays your car accident expenses can be especially challenging when it comes to rideshare injury cases. You may have several options, depending on your circumstances:
- Your health insurance may cover some of your medical bills.
- If you or the owner of the car you were riding in has insurance that includes medical payments or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, this might be an option for you.
- If the Uber driver was not working at the time of the crash, their personal auto insurance may help pay damages.
- If the Uber driver caused the accident while looking for a passenger, Uber’s third-party insurance may kick in, covering at least $25,000 in property damage per accident, $50,000 in bodily injuries per person, and $100,000 in bodily injuries per accident.
- Uber’s own insurance covers at least $1 million worth of damages caused by accidents where their driver displayed negligence while transporting or going to pick up a passenger.
Figuring out whose insurance pays for which damages—and dealing with all of those insurance companies—is very stressful. Let our legal team handle these necessary tasks so you can focus on healing from your injuries instead.
What Compensation Can I Get for a Car Accident?
The types of compensation you receive should reflect your accident-related losses. Not only will you have to take into account everything you have lost so far, you will also have to consider probable future losses, such as ongoing medical care or long-term disabilities.
Our attorney can work closely with you to determine which of the following damages you could be eligible for:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Significant scarring
Call The Rooth Law Firm today so we can educate you about your rights for free. If you choose to hire us, we will charge no attorneys’ fees until you win, so you do not have to worry about legal costs on top of your other bills and expenses.
How Do You Prove an Uber Accident Case?
Getting compensation from Uber or their driver requires evidence that the liable party was negligent—in other words, that they chose to engage in reckless or unreasonable behaviors, and that most people in their position would not behave in the same way. Consider the following hypothetical examples of negligence:
- An Uber driver runs a red light and hits an oncoming driver.
- Uber fails to run a thorough background check before approving a new driver. This driver turns out to have been previously arrested for reckless driving, and their recklessness now causes a crash.
- Another driver changes lanes without signaling. This causes your Uber driver to lose control.
In scenarios like these, available evidence might include:
- Surveillance or traffic cam footage that shows the liable party’s negligent act
- The driver’s record, which tells us if they have been charged with or convicted of traffic violations before
- Uber’s company records, which can tell us what they knew and when they knew it
- Witness testimony and the Evanston Police Department report
- Your medical records and statements from a doctor, which can demonstrate that your injuries occurred during the accident in question
Robert Rooth has extensive trial experience and trained under one of the finest trial lawyers in the country. He knows how to build a persuasive case and how to present it to insurance companies as well as to juries. With us representing you, you do not have to confront the liable party or build a casefile by yourself.
What Happens After an Uber Accident?
Uber provides a valuable service for many. Whether you are looking for a way to get to or from classes at Northwestern University, to get home safe after a night on the town, or to make your flight at O’Hare, rideshare vehicles are often a convenient and affordable choice.
However, when Uber drivers are careless or fall victim to the carelessness of others, the results can be catastrophic. Here is what you can expect—and what you can do—after such an event.
What You Can Do
- Call 911 and give them your location
- Get medical care immediately
- Follow all of your doctors’ orders and do not stop treatment before they say you can
- Speak with the other driver, see if they need help, and ask for their license and insurance information
- If you were an Uber passenger, get the Uber driver’s information as well
- Ask witnesses for their names and contact information
- Take photos of everything you see, from your injuries and the damage to your vehicle to visible street signs and the state of the roadway
What You Can Expect
- Insurance adjusters who push for recorded statements or a fast settlement
- A police officer who wants to ask questions about the accident
- Liable parties who try to blame you for the crash or deny responsibility
- Friends and loved ones who want to know what happened
You should provide the police with brief, honest responses, and you should always share everything with your personal injury attorney. Otherwise, limit what you say about the crash. Insurance companies are likely already looking for ways to minimize your payout, and they will not hesitate to use anything you say against you.
What We Can Help You With
- Preparing you for depositions and, if necessary, testifying in court
- Requesting a copy of the official accident report from the Records Bureau
- Advising you on what to say about the crash
- Handling legal tasks like filing paperwork
Why Trust Our Evanston Attorney With Your Case?
The Rooth Law Firm has spent over 40 years serving Evanston residents. Our office is conveniently located on Sherman Avenue, and, as a local firm, we are:
- Familiar with seasonal road conditions that may contribute to or worsen a car accident
- Knowledgeable about the local legal system, including which judges may hear your case and which court has jurisdiction
- Able to react fast when car accidents happen anywhere in Evanston
This is our community too, and we want to make it as safe as possible by holding negligent parties accountable. The earlier you contact us, the more we may be able to do for you. We can even confront Uber on your behalf.
Do Not Wait to Take Action After an Auto Accident
The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to build a convincing case. Call The Rooth Law Firm now for a free consultation. We can work hard to protect your future so you do not have to take on the burden of fighting a legal battle by yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Evanston, IL?
Illinois law gives you two years to begin a lawsuit after a personal injury. This may sound like a decent length of time, but we have to perform many tasks before we officially file suit, and insurers may require you to report the accident and file a claim in a much shorter time.
How Long Does an Uber Accident Settlement Take?
How long it takes depends on how complex the situation is, whether the insurer negotiates, and what evidence is available. Many settlements take weeks or months; trials can take longer.
How Much Does Uber Pay if You Get in a Car Accident?
That depends on what their driver was doing at the time of the crash, as well as who was negligent. We can determine Uber’s financial responsibilities after investigating your case.
What Is the Average Settlement for an Uber Accident?
There is no average settlement. Your compensation must be based on your specific losses. The Rooth Law Firm can compile evidence, consult experts, and apply our decades of experience to your case.
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