Plainfield Uber Accident Lawyer

Plainfield is a fast-growing suburb in Will County, sitting right along the I-55 corridor southwest of Chicago. Residents here rely on Uber for everything from rides to the Metra station at Joliet to trips into the Loop, River North, and beyond. With that heavy rideshare use comes real risk. When an Uber crash happens on Route 30, near the Plainfield Village Hall, or heading up I-55 toward the city, the questions pile up fast. Who pays? What insurance applies? Do you have a case? If you or someone you love was hurt in an Uber accident in or around Plainfield, a Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• Why Uber Accidents in Plainfield Are More Complicated Than Regular Car Crashes
• Illinois Law and How Fault Works in Plainfield Uber Accident Claims
• What to Do After an Uber Accident in the Plainfield Area
• Types of Compensation Available to Plainfield Uber Accident Victims
• Serving Plainfield and the Surrounding Southwest Chicago Suburbs
• FAQs About Plainfield Uber Accident Claims

Why Uber Accidents in Plainfield Are More Complicated Than Regular Car Crashes

Most car accident claims involve two drivers and two insurance companies. Uber accidents are different. When you get into a crash involving an Uber vehicle, there can be multiple parties involved, including the driver, Uber as a company, and possibly a third-party driver who caused the collision. Each of those parties may try to shift blame to someone else. That makes these cases harder to resolve without legal help.

Think about a scenario on Route 59 near the Plainfield Commons shopping area. Your Uber driver is heading north, and another driver runs a red light and hits your vehicle. The other driver’s insurance may try to minimize your injuries. Uber’s insurer may argue the driver was not in an active trip phase. Your own insurer may question coverage. You are sitting in the middle of all of it, dealing with medical bills and lost wages.

Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/7-601 requires all motor vehicles on public highways to carry liability insurance. But rideshare situations add layers. The Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act went into effect in 2015 to set statewide basic requirements for ridesharing companies and drivers in terms of insurance, safety standards, driver qualifications, and more. Under that law, the coverage that applies depends on which phase of the trip the driver was in when the crash happened.

Illinois rideshare drivers must meet two different sets of insurance requirements. When drivers are logged into the ridesharing app and working but do not have passengers, they must carry liability insurance of at least a certain minimum amount. From the time they accept passengers to when they complete rides, rideshare drivers must have insurance coverage of at least $1 million for personal injury, death, and property damage. Drivers must also have underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage of $50,000 minimum. Knowing which phase applied at the moment of your crash is one of the first things an experienced attorney will look at.

The bottom line is that Uber accident claims involve multiple insurance policies, shifting liability arguments, and a company with significant legal resources. You need someone in your corner who knows how to handle that. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been helping Illinois accident victims do exactly that.

Illinois Law and How Fault Works in Plainfield Uber Accident Claims

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault system. That means even if you were partly at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages, as long as your share of the fault does not exceed 50%. But the amount you recover gets reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies know this, and they will often try to push more fault onto you to reduce what they owe.

Joint and several liability under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 also plays a role in these cases. Under that statute, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. If one defendant’s share of fault is 25% or more of the total fault, that defendant is jointly and severally liable for all other damages too. This matters when you have multiple at-fault parties, like an Uber driver and a third-party driver who both contributed to the crash.

For example, say your Uber was rear-ended on I-55 near the Plainfield area by a distracted driver. The Uber driver also had a role because of unsafe lane positioning. Both parties could be held liable. Under Illinois law, you could potentially pursue both of them for your full medical costs. An attorney can help you identify every liable party and make sure no one slips through the cracks.

Illinois also requires that drivers involved in crashes report the accident. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in personal injury must immediately stop at the scene and remain there. Failure to stop is a Class 4 felony. If the Uber driver fled the scene, that is a serious legal matter that can affect your claim in your favor.

An Uber Accident attorney at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will review every detail of your case, identify all liable parties, and build the strongest possible argument for your recovery.

What to Do After an Uber Accident in the Plainfield Area

The steps you take right after a crash can have a direct impact on the value of your claim. Many people make mistakes in those first hours simply because they do not know what to do. Here is what matters most if you are in an Uber accident near Plainfield, whether it happens on Route 30, near the Plainfield Police Department, or heading up I-55 toward Joliet.

First, call 911. Get police and medical help to the scene. Even if you feel okay, you should get checked out. Some injuries, like soft tissue damage or internal bleeding, do not show up right away. A medical record from that day is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case.

Second, document everything you can. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, any traffic signals or signs, and your visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Screenshot your Uber app to show the trip details, including the driver’s name and the time of the ride.

Third, report the crash through the Uber app. Uber has an in-app process for reporting accidents. Use it. This creates a record with the company.

Fourth, be careful about what you say to insurance adjusters. They are not on your side. Do not give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.

Fifth, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible. Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. That clock starts ticking from the date of the crash. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and protect your rights. Our team is ready to help you move forward.

Types of Compensation Available to Plainfield Uber Accident Victims

If you were hurt in an Uber accident in Plainfield or anywhere in the greater Chicago area, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The law allows injured victims to pursue damages for both economic and non-economic losses. Understanding what you can recover is important before you accept any settlement offer from an insurance company.

Economic damages are the financial losses you can document. These include your medical bills, both past and future, lost wages if you missed work, reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, and the cost of any property damage. If you needed surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing treatment after a crash near the Plainfield Medical Center or any other local facility, those costs can be included in your claim.

Non-economic damages cover the ways the accident affected your quality of life. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of activities you used to do, and loss of consortium for a spouse are all examples. These damages are harder to put a number on, but they are real and they matter. An experienced attorney knows how to present these losses in a way that reflects their true value.

In cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also be available. Under Illinois law, if the Uber driver was intoxicated, for example, a court may award punitive damages to punish that behavior and deter others. Illinois’s Wrongful Death Act under 740 ILCS 180 also allows surviving family members to pursue damages when a loved one is killed in a crash, including punitive damages where applicable.

Do not accept a quick settlement without knowing the full scope of your damages. Insurance companies often make early offers that fall far short of what victims actually deserve. A Chicago Uber accident attorney at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will evaluate your claim thoroughly and fight to get you every dollar you are owed.

Serving Plainfield and the Surrounding Southwest Chicago Suburbs

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg proudly serves injury victims throughout the southwest suburbs of Chicago, including Plainfield, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Naperville, and beyond. Plainfield sits near major highways like I-55 and I-80, making it a hub for Uber trips heading into the city and across Will County. Those busy roads also mean more traffic, more congestion, and more opportunities for crashes.

Whether your accident happened near the Plainfield Township offices, on Route 126, or while heading toward the Metra BNSF line in Naperville, our team is familiar with the roads, the local courts, and the insurance companies that operate in this region. Will County cases may be handled through the Will County Circuit Court in Joliet, and having a team that knows the local court system matters.

We also serve clients in neighboring communities. If you were in a crash in the northern suburbs, our Mundelein car accident lawyer team is ready to help. And if your accident happened on the south side of the metro area, our Oak Lawn car accident lawyer team has you covered. We are a full-service personal injury firm with a long track record of results for clients across the Chicago area.

Rideshare accidents are not simple cases. They require a firm that understands the insurance coverage phases, knows how to identify all liable parties, and has the resources to take on large companies when necessary. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver hit by an Uber vehicle, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to stand up for you. Read our Uber Accident lawyer tips to learn more about protecting yourself when using rideshare services in the Chicago area.

Call us today for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose by calling, and potentially a great deal to gain. Let us put our experience to work for you.

FAQs About Plainfield Uber Accident Claims

Who is liable if I am injured as a passenger in an Uber accident in Plainfield?

Liability depends on how the crash happened and who caused it. The Uber driver may be liable if they were negligent. A third-party driver may be liable if they caused the collision. In some cases, both parties share fault. Under Illinois law, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally responsible for your medical costs. Uber’s insurance may also apply, with up to $1 million in coverage during an active trip. An attorney can review your case and identify every party responsible for your injuries.

What if the Uber driver was not carrying a passenger when the accident happened?

The insurance coverage that applies depends on which phase of the trip the driver was in. If the driver had the app on but had not yet accepted a ride, a lower level of coverage applies under the Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act. If the app was off entirely, only the driver’s personal insurance applies. Each phase has different coverage limits, which is why it is so important to document the trip status at the time of the crash. An attorney can help you get that information from Uber’s records.

How long do I have to file an Uber accident claim in Illinois?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to recover compensation entirely. There are some exceptions to this timeline, such as cases involving minors or claims against government entities, which may have shorter deadlines. The safest approach is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so nothing is missed.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the Uber accident?

Yes, in most cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%, you can still recover damages. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 15% at fault and your damages are $80,000, you would receive $68,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of fault to reduce their payout. An attorney can push back against those tactics and protect your recovery.

What should I do if Uber’s insurance company contacts me after the accident?

Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is to resolve your claim for as little money as possible. Anything you say can be used to reduce your settlement. Even a casual comment about feeling okay can be used against you later. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg first. We offer free consultations, and we can advise you on exactly how to handle those conversations to protect the value of your claim.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

• Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Plainfield
• Plainfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Car Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Truck Accident Attorney
• Plainfield Lyft Accident Lawyer
• Plainfield Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer