This is the next post in my series on suing Uber or Lyft, in Peoria, Illinois after a rider has been injured. My last article discussed the general process of bringing suit against a rideshare company. It is important to remember that it may take some time before a demand for payment can be sent to the insurance adjusters as the victim’s long-term prognosis must be reasonably known before a demand can be made. Settling a case without knowing the victim’s long-term chances of recovery can result in one not being fully compensated for future losses and/or medical expenses. Retaining an experienced attorney can help to ensure that your interests remain protected. In this article I will discuss the possibility of suing Uber or Lyft for the conduct of their drivers. If you or a loved one have been the victim of assault or harassment then contact my office today to speak with an injury lawyer.
Unfortunately, there are instances where the passengers of a rideshare have been physically or sexually assaulted by the driver. While Uber and Lyft take steps to screen the individuals who drive for them, the bottom line is that some bad apples may slip through that screening process. It is simply not possible, with the sheer number of people who drive for rideshares, to screen in a way which will catch every potential bad actor. When the victim of such an act has been harmed then, obviously, they may bring a case against the driver. They may also bring a claim against the rideshare company as well. Such a case would proceed as any other civil lawsuit. Additional causes of action may exist against the rideshare company if it can be shown that they failed to adequately screen the driver or otherwise knew that he or she presented some type of a threat.
The first step to take if you have been assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver is to immediately contact law enforcement. If the individual is convicted of a crime, then your case will become much stronger. Once a police report has been made, your attorney will make contact with the rideshare company and notify them of the representation. They will then deal with your lawyer directly so that you may deal with the important business of moving on from the situation. Your attorney will demand that the rideshare company provide a history of the driver, as well as any “dash cam” footage. If a settlement cannot be reached then counsel will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Discovery, the process by which information is gained from the other side in a lawsuit, will be used to gather information relating to the initial screening of the driver, any history of complaints, etc. Such cases can quickly become complex and it is strongly recommended that you retain qualified counsel to assist you.
If you file a suit against a rideshare company then it is important to remember that you are challenging a large, publicly traded company in Court. It is important that you retain an attorney with substantial personal injury experience and who has the resources necessary to deal with such defendants. This includes the ability to retain experts who can offer opinions as to whether the company adequately screened the driver. I am a Peoria Uber accident lawyer who assists area residents who have been harmed while in a rideshare. I believe in protecting the rights of people, and not large corporations. My office prides itself on providing a high level of service and we look forward to being of assistance. Contact us online or by telephone today. Our firm also serves clients in the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
