Chicago Uber accident lawyer
Like many other cities, Chicago is experiencing an explosive growth in Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services. Many people today prefer using these services as an alternative to a taxi, bus, or train. Uber and Lyft are appealing, as these services are convenient and less expensive than some other forms of transportation.
However, the benefits of ridesharing services may come with additional risk. Every day, Uber and Lyft drivers are involved in accidents, some of which they cause.
If you have been injured as a passenger, motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian in an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, our experienced Chicago ridesharing accident lawyers at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can help. We have been serving as tough advocates for injured people for decades with an extensive history of recovering record-setting settlements and verdicts for our clients. Schedule a consultation to find out if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to pursue.
How Do Uber, Lyft, and Ride Sharing Services Work?
Although Uber and Lyft currently dominate the market, there are other ridesharing services in the greater Chicago area. These services involve drivers who use their own personal vehicles to transport passengers. Passengers request rides on their cells phones and drivers accept using the Uber or Lyft app.
Uber and Lyft have taken steps to increase the safety of ridesharing passengers and others on the road. Both companies conduct background checks on their drivers and set certain standards for the personal vehicles used. Under Chicago Transportation Network Providers Rules, Uber and Lyft drivers are required to take an online course and obtain a special chauffeur’s license before they are allowed to accept rides in the city. Ridesharing vehicles more than six years old must be inspected semi-annually.
Causes of Chicago Uber and Lyft Accidents
Despite these precautions, Uber and Lyft drivers still cause accidents. Ridesharing drivers using their personal cars to transport passengers are much like other drivers on the road. Drives may cause accidents through various driving behaviors, including:
- Distracted driving: Uber and Lyft drivers operate by using the company app on their cell phones. Drivers may not always pull over and park before checking the app. This may happen when they are waiting for a ride or picking up and transporting passengers.
- Speeding: Time is money. The faster Uber and Lyft drivers pick up riders and get passengers to their destinations, the more money they make. It may be a temptation for ridesharing drivers to exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for traffic or weather conditions.
- Fatigued driving: Like other people, Uber and Lyft drivers are working for a living and may go to work without adequate rest. Unlike commercial truck drivers, ridesharing drivers are not regulated as to how much rest they have between trips.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Despite background checks, some Uber and Lyft drivers have been found to be driving impaired by alcohol or drugs. For example, according to a 2017 article in the Daily Herald, a Schaumburg Uber driver was charged with driving drunk with a passenger in the car.
Contact Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates Today
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, the mission of our Chicago personal injury attorneys is to protect your rights, hold responsible parties accountable, and recover full and fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us if you have been injured in an Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing accident. Our Chicago rideshare accident lawyers can help.
