What to do when an accident happens while you are riding in a Chicago area rideshare.
Two of the most well-known ridesharing services here in the Chicago metropolitan area are Uber and Lyft. For instance, Chicago Union Station offers these two rideshares as alternatives to the more traditional taxi service on its website, complete with links to their apps for downloading. Last year, Chicago taxis entered into the mix, with Uber partnering with taxi companies Arro and Curb Mobility so taxis are included in the Uber app offerings here. For more, read: “Uber, Chicago taxis expand partnership that allows taxi drivers to pick up riders requesting through Uber,” written by Courtney Sisk and published by NBC Chicago on April 11, 2024.
For those who are involved in a motor vehicle accident involving a rideshare, it is important to know that under the law, their claims will be a bit different. This is because the rideshare company itself will be involved (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
For more, read: Uber Accidents in Chicago: The Growing Danger of Serious Injury in an Uber Rideshare Car Crash.
1. Call 911 and Protect the Scene
First things first: call 911. Get help. Then, as soon as possible after impact, it is important to assess the severity of the accident. Who is hurt? How badly are they injured? Victims may need help immediately, remembering that injuries may be made worse by moving the victim out of the wreck before medically trained first responders arrive to help.
What about the vehicles? Is the rideshare vehicle (SUV, minivan, car) in a traffic path or dangerous area? If so, if it can be moved, then it needs to be pushed out of harm’s way. Not moving the rideshare vehicle into a safe location invites another collision. Turn on the hazard lights of all vehicles involved in the crash. Consider lifting the hood if possible if this can help make it more visible to oncoming traffic, especially in bad weather or after dark.
2. Get Medical Care for Injured Victims
Even before the paramedics or police officers arrive on the scene, help may be given to those who have suffered bodily injuries at the scene through instructions provided by the 911 operator. This can be vital in instances of blood loss, for instance.
However, having medical professionals to assist the accident victims is extremely important. They understand how best to help those suffering things like blunt trauma, fractures, lacerations, burns, etc. and they also know how to identify and help those on the accident scene who seem to be okay but may be going into shock. Shock, left unattended, can be fatal. Dizziness may be a symptom of internal injuries that may not manifest for hours or days after the injury itself.
3. Get the Police Involved
The help that comes from police officers at a ridesharing accident is invaluable, for many reasons. First of all, law enforcement has the authority to re-route traffic as necessary as well as prioritizing the EMS arrival on the scene. Police officers have medical training that will help victims until the ambulance gets there, too. Furthermore, the police will understand how to investigate and document the ridesharing accident from the moment they get the call until the tow truck leaves and the scene is released. Their fact-finding and formal conclusions, as filed in the accident’s police report, will be evidence in any future injury claims that are filed as a result of the rideshare crash.
4. Share Information With All Involved in the Accident
Insurance information as well as the names of all the drivers involved in the rideshare crash is very important for everyone to know. Insurance carriers need to be contacted.
And both Uber and Lyft have their own information that should be provided with all who have been impacted by the rideshare accident. This is true for their rideshare drivers, as well as rideshare passengers or riders, and third parties. They may have time deadlines for notification as well as filing of claims. Check the app.
5. Gather Photos, Videos, Identify Witnesses
For those who are able to do so, it is very important to gather as much information as possible about everyone involved in the ridesharing crash. What is the full name of the rideshare driver? What is the full name of any other drivers involved in the accident? Their passengers? What are the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved in the accident?
Witness information is critical, too. Names, addresses, and phone numbers will be much harder to track down if they leave the accident scene before sharing their contact information. Did they take photos of the accident? Do they have video? This can be key evidence for rideshare victims seeking recompense.
Also, more video can be tracked down and safeguarded from security cameras monitoring stores, gas stations, banks, etc. Consider contacting any establishments near to the rideshare accident to ask about their security cameras (like how long they save their videos, etc.) as soon as practical after the crash.
Finally, rideshare accident victims that are able to do so should take extensive photos and videos of the accident (the vehicles, the location, etc.) for later use in claim investigation and cause determination.
Making your own written record of what transpired as soon as possible after the accident is important, too. For riders, when did you call for the rideshare? When did it arrive? How did the vehicle look? How did the driver appear (stressed; relaxed; confident; etc.)? What did you talk about with the driver? What was the weather like? Did you know the crash was about to happen, or was it a sudden surprise? Did anyone make any statements like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you”?
Justice for Victims of Chicago Rideshare Accidents
Many different people may be victims of ridesharing accidents in Chicago or the Chicagoland area where they may have legal claims for damages. This includes the ridesharing passenger or rider; the ridesharing driver; other drivers; other passengers; pedestrians; as well as loved ones of accident victims with compensable damages defined by law.
Uber and Lyft accident claims are complicated. They are different than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Ridesharing companies are notorious for trying to avoid legal liability for the personal injuries and resulting harm caused by a rideshare crash. There is the complexity of the driver’s personal auto insurance policy and how its coverage jives with the ridesharing company’s responsibility.
Having an experienced ridesharing personal injury attorney can be invaluable to anyone who has been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident anywhere in the Chicago area.
For more, read:
- Lyft or Uber Driver Car Crash: Liability in Rideshare Driver Accidents
- Chicago Uber and Lyft Ridesharing Accident Cases are Different from Other Illinois Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
- Why a Lawyer who is a Trial Attorney Is Important for Accident Victims in Personal Injury Cases
- Technology and Personal Injury Lawsuits for Serious Injuries and Wrongful Death Traffic Accidents.
Ridesharing is extremely popular, but rideshare accidents pose unique legal considerations here in the State of Illinois. Please be careful out there!