Attorney for Crashes Involving Limo and Rideshare Drivers in Joliet, Plainfield, and Will County
Drivers and passengers who are injured in car crashes can typically take action to pursue compensation from a negligent driver or any other party who was responsible for the collision. In many cases, establishing fault for a car crash is a straightforward matter, and a driver who violated traffic laws or otherwise put people at risk may be held liable for victims’ injuries. However, cases become far more complicated if the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle for hire such as a taxi or limousine or providing services through a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft. In these cases, experience matters. Injured victims must retain a skilled and experienced joliet rideshare accident lawyer on their side who can help them receive the financial compensation they deserve.
Michael J. Lichner is dedicated to helping injured victims take legal action against those who have caused harm to them and their families. We understand the complex legal issues that will need to be addressed following collisions with rideshare vehicles, and we have the resources to pursue cases against these companies and hold them responsible for the injuries caused by their drivers.
Pursuing Compensation for Rideshare and Limo Crashes and Injuries
Passengers who use rideshare apps or hire other types of vehicles will usually be covered by insurance policies maintained by the companies that operate these services. Insurance policies may also cover other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians who are injured by rideshare or limo drivers. However, it is often difficult to determine whether the commercial ride-share company’s coverage will apply because it is predicated on whether a driver was transporting passengers, en route to pick up passengers, or simply waiting for a ride request.
Typically, an employer is liable for injuries caused by their employees during the course of their work. Put simply, if a limo or rideshare driver causes a collision, victims should be able to pursue compensation from the company that hired the driver by filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, Uber and Lyft often try to avoid being held liable by claiming that drivers were not working at the time, not engaged through the app, or were independent contractors. While the law regarding ride-share drivers is evolving, by categorizing their drivers as “independent contractors”, the rideshare companies typically claim that they are not responsible for their drivers’ actions or negligence.
In addition to injuries inflicted in car crashes caused by drivers of for-hire vehicles, passengers can also be physically or sexually assaulted by rideshare drivers they trusted. If you have been injured by a taxi, limo, or rideshare driver, we can help you take the necessary legal action to hold their employer responsible for your injuries and damages. We may be able to demonstrate that a company did not follow the proper safety procedures and screen out drivers who had a history of unsafe driving, DUI arrests, or other criminal convictions that would indicate that they would be a danger to their passengers. We routinely take on large corporations, and we have a skilled and experienced staff that can gather the necessary evidence to prove that rideshare, taxi, or limo companies are responsible for injuries caused by their drivers.
Contact Our Joliet Rideshare Accident Attorney
Michael J. Lichner will provide you with legal help and representation after a car crash or injury involving an Uber, Lyft, or limo driver. We have the resources needed to build a strong and effective case against the company that hired a driver who caused you harm, and we will fight to make sure you are fully compensated for your damages. To schedule a free consultation, contact our office at 815-258-7877. We prosecute car ride-share and for-hire cases throughout Will County, including but not limited to Plainfield, New Lenox, Joliet, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Shorewood, Naperville, Romeoville, Mokena, Lockport, and Bolingbrook. We also proudly serve clients in DuPage County, Cook County, and all other nearby counties in northern Illinois.