Over the past few years, rideshare companies such as Lyft have exploded in popularity. Lyft provides users with a quick and easy way to get where they want to go without the need for any advance planning. However, the rideshare experience’s nature is that users must place their lives in the hands of strangers. Not surprisingly, Chicago Lyft accidents are not uncommon and seem to be increasing in frequency. As is the case with other Illinois car accidents, those injured in a Lyft accident may be eligible for compensation for the injuries they have sustained.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH LYFT
Lyft has over 1.4 million drivers and 23 million riders and is available in over 640 cities across the United States and Canada, with over 1 million Lyft trips completed each day. Lyft has about a 35 percent market share of the U.S. rideshare market. The increase of drivers on the roads has affected accident rates. According to a 2018 study conducted by the University of Chicago and Rice University, rideshare companies are responsible for a 2-3 percent increase in the total number of fatal traffic accidents. This amounts to as many as 1,100 fatalities per year. The study also found that Lyft and Uber drivers spend 40 to 60 percent of their time “deadheading,” driving around without a passenger waiting for a fare.
CAR ACCIDENTS IN ILLINOIS
In 2018, there were nearly 320,000 Illinois car accidents. About 67,500 or 21 percent of these accidents resulted in at least one person being injured, and over 13 percent of the crashes caused incapacitating injury. Around 950, or about one percent, of the collisions involved a fatality. This amounts to 874 crashes per day, three fatalities per day, and ten people injured per hour
The presence of rideshare companies increases the number of cars on Illinois roads each year. In 2019, Lyft was estimated to bring in nearly $3.5 billion in revenue, and Lyft claims to be able to pick up 95 percent of the people in the United States.
Notably, there is no practical component requiring drivers to demonstrate that they are comfortable driving in various traffic and weather conditions. As a result of these lax requirements, anyone looking to make extra money can likely become a Lyft driver. Indeed, inexperienced drivers are one of the leading causes of Chicago rideshare accidents.
Those looking to use Lyft need only download the app and put in their credit card information to set up an account. Once an account is created, users can plug in any address in their city and get an instant quote, as well as an estimated time of arrival. Usually, drivers arrive within a few minutes, confirm that they have the correct passenger and begin their trip. It truly is a simple process; however, the concept also raises some serious concerns.
To some, the concept of getting into the car with a stranger sounds unwise. Indeed, Lyft riders must have total trust in the company and its drivers. However, many riders are surprised to learn how lax the requirements are to become a Lyft driver. All vehicles used to transport passengers must:
Chicago Lyft driver requirements:
As mentioned above, inexperienced Lyft drivers are among the most frequently cited causes of rideshare accidents in and around Chicago. Any accident involving a Lyft driver may be covered by the company’s insurance policy, and, even if it is not, the driver’s personal policy may provide coverage. Other common causes of accidents include:
Lyft accidents come in many forms
The potential sources of compensation for accident victims depend on how and when the accident occurs. Lyft advertises a $1 million insurance policy to encourage riders (and drivers) to use the company’s services. However, that $1 million policy does not extend to all Chicago Lyft accidents. The Lyft insurance policy breaks down the rideshare process into three distinct phases:
Whether a third-party, non-passenger such as a pedestrian is covered under Lyft’s policy is somewhat arbitrary. If the Lyft driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the car, an injured pedestrian would be covered. However, if the driver is merely waiting for a ride request when they strike the pedestrian, the pedestrian cannot file a claim with Lyft’s insurance company
After being involved in a Lyft accident, one of the first questions that may pop into an accident victim’s head is whether they need to hire an attorney. Pursuing a claim for compensation against an at-fault driver or an insurance company can present many difficulties. Insurance companies are for-profit companies that can only stay in business if they take in more each month in premiums than they pay out in claims. Thus, insurance companies often deny valid claims or try to settle claims for far less than they are worth.
Studies have shown that, on average, those who have been injured in an accident receive settlement offers that are 40 percent larger if they work with an attorney. In part, this is because insurance companies tend to take claims more seriously when an attorney is involved. A dedicated Illinois injury lawyer can also request the full spectrum of available damages, ensuring that nothing is left on the table
Our attorneys represent people who have been injured and families who have lost loved ones in all types of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and workers’ compensation cases. All cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means that we will only accept payment if we are successful in getting compensation for you or your family.
If you or someone you care about has recently been injured in a Chicago rideshare accident, the dedicated Illinois injury lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help. Our attorneys represent injured parties and families who have lost loved ones in all types of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and workers’ compensation cases. Our firm has over 30 years of experience advocating on behalf of Chicago car accident victims, and we know what it takes to succeed on our clients’ behalf. From the moment you invite us to work on your case, we diligently investigate your claim, seeking to uncover all potentially liable parties and theories of liability. All cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means that we will only accept payment if we successfully obtain compensation for you or your family. To learn more, call 1-877-595-4878 to schedule a free consultation today.
If you were injured or lost a loved one because of the carelessness of another, you may be able to receive compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
When you call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation, you will speak directly to an experienced attorney in Chicago, usually one of the firm’s principals, who will assess the facts of your situation and advise you of your rights. Don’t delay getting your free legal consultation: if you fail to pursue your claim in a timely fashion, you could forever lose your rights.
