Chicago Lyft and Uber Rideshare Drivers Rally against Low Wages and Rider Abuse

Rideshare operators in Chicago rallied to let Uber and Lyft know they’ve lost their patience. According to Fortune Magazine, Chicago Rideshare Advocates helped organize the rally of thousands of drivers. The rally took place near City Hall.

One 41-year old driver complained that riders have propositioned her and attacked her. She complained that after reporting the personal violations to Uber, Uber “didn’t seem to do much to address the issue. ‘For all I know, they did nothing, which is a little disturbing,’ she said.”

She said there are many weeks when she makes less the Chicago minimum wage of $11.53 an hour (after expenses).

A proposal to help rideshare drivers

New York placed a cap on ride-share vehicles to help reduce competition among divers. Chicago city officials are thinking about following New York’s lead. Currently, Chicago has almost 66,000 rideshare drivers. The Chicago Rideshare Associates favors the cap, better wages, and better driver safety. Chicago taxi and cab drivers are also feeling the financial effects of the increased number of ride-share drivers and would benefit from a rideshare cap.

Uber and Lyft are not in favor of the cap. According to the Fortune article, Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, proposed that New York place a fee on ride-sharing apps – to help taxi medallion owners. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance said Dara’s suggestion was “a slap in the face to struggling drivers and an attempt to get out of being regulated.”

How drivers can file claims when car accidents happen

Most drivers who work for Uber or Lyft are independent contractors. If they are involved in a car accident, then the driver can file a claim against another driver who caused the accident. If the driver caused the accident, he/she generally can’t file a workers’ compensation claim because only employees can file those type of work injury claims.

A driver who causes an accident should file a claim with his/her own healthcare carrier or PIP/Medpay carrier for medical bills and his/her own auto carrier for collision damage provided they purchased collision insurance.

The rights of injured rideshare passengers

When passengers are injured in a car accident, they have the right to bring a personal injury claim against the responsible driver – either the Uber/Lyft driver or another driver. The key question is which insurance applies. Rideshare drivers are required to have the state minimum insurance. Uber and Lyft are required to have at least one million in coverage.

Generally, the million dollar policy should cover the damages provided the rider ordered the ride. Holding Uber or Lyft directly responsible is more challenging. Usually, Uber and Lyft are not liable for a driver’s negligence unless it can be shown the rideshare company failed to investigate the driver’s qualifications or that the driver was a company employee.

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we understand who is responsible when car accidents of any type happen. We hold the liable parties accountable for your physical pain, emotional suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. We represent riders, drivers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders in Chicago rideshare and car accidents. We have the experience and resources to help clients obtain a just result. To arrange a free consultation, call us today at 312-600-9585 or send us a request through our contact form.