The ride was supposed to be simple. Then another driver ran a stop sign on Rand Road, and now you’re sitting in an exam room, wondering how you’re going to cover the bills. A rideshare accident lawyer in Palatine is ready to fight for you.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has recovered over $100 million for injured clients across Illinois, and we know how Uber, Lyft, and their insurers operate. A Palatine car accident lawyer from our firm cuts through the layers and builds your case from the ground up.
If you were hurt as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, we can help. Your consultation is free.
Who Is Liable After a Rideshare Accident in Palatine
Fault still drives who pays in Illinois. The at-fault party’s insurer is primarily responsible, whether that is a rideshare driver, another motorist, a trucking company, or a public entity that created a hazardous roadway. If multiple drivers share blame, each pays their share.
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage. At more than 50% fault, you cannot recover. As your Palatine personal injury lawyer, we analyze police reports, witness statements, and telematics to assign fault accurately.
Uber and Lyft may not be vicariously liable for a driver as an “employee,” but their insurance must respond under state law when the app is on. The coverage tier depends on whether the driver was waiting for a request, en route to a pickup, or transporting a passenger.
Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident
You have the right to seek payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care costs when another party’s negligence caused the crash. That includes claims against the at-fault driver’s policy and, if applicable, the rideshare insurer.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, rideshare policies may include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage during active trips. We examine all available policies so you are not left with unpaid losses.
As a passenger, you rarely bear fault, but liability can still be disputed. We handle communications with Uber, Lyft, and all insurers so you avoid pitfalls that can shrink your payout.
How Illinois Insurance Coverage Works for TNC Drivers
The Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act sets minimum coverages. When a rideshare driver has the app on but has not accepted a ride, a lower tier applies—often at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per crash for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage, typically provided by the driver or the TNC’s contingent policy.
Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, a higher tier applies. Uber and Lyft provide up to $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage during this period. There is also uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for active trips, which can be critical in hit-and-run cases.
Which insurer pays first depends on the app status and who caused the crash. We confirm status through trip records and app logs to connect your injuries to the correct coverage layer.
How Our Palatine Rideshare Accident Lawyers Investigate and Prove Fault
We build claims methodically. Our team secures police reports, 911 audio, intersection camera footage, dashcam video, and black-box data when available. We coordinate with reconstruction professionals to explain speed, braking, and line-of-sight issues.
Medical documentation ties the crash to your injuries. We work with your providers to compile imaging, physician notes, and prognoses that reflect both current treatment and future care needs. This record supports pain and suffering and future damages, not just immediate bills.
Our rideshare accident attorneys in Palatine also track wage loss with pay stubs, employer letters, and tax records. If you are self-employed, we use invoices and profit-and-loss statements to show lost income tied to recovery time.
Damages You Can Recover
Compensation depends on your medical course, time off work, and the crash’s impact on daily life.
You may recover:
- Ambulance, ER, hospital, and follow-up care costs
- Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and pain management
- Prescription medication and medical devices
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and loss of normal life
- Vehicle repair or total loss, and other property damage
Serious cases may also include long-term care, home modifications, or vocational retraining. We present a complete picture of damages before settlement talks, so you are not pressured into a premature, low offer.
Deadlines and Procedure Under Illinois Law
Most Illinois personal injury claims carry a two–year statute of limitations from the date of the crash. Wrongful death claims generally share this two-year period. Property damage claims often have a longer deadline, but you should not wait; delay risks lost evidence.
Claims against government entities may involve special notice rules and shorter timelines. If a public vehicle or dangerous roadway played a role, fast action helps preserve your rights.
Uber and Lyft user agreements can include arbitration provisions. Passengers may be subject to those terms; third-party motorists usually are not. We evaluate forum and venue issues at the outset to file in the most favorable setting allowed by law.
Ready to Choose Charlie? Let’s Talk
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. brings 75 years of combined experience to every rideshare claim, and our founding partner spent years on the insurance side at Allstate. We know how insurers think, and we know how to push back.
If you need a rideshare accident lawyer in Palatine, we can review your options at no cost. Whether you were a passenger, a rideshare driver, or someone hit by an Uber or Lyft, we only get paid when we recover for you.
Reach out today for a free consultation. Tell us what happened, and we’ll tell you where you stand.
