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The team at Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Law helps people who are injured in crashes involving Lyft vehicles throughout the city. Our Chicago Lyft Accident Lawyer group brings tremendous experience to the table, including knowledge of the complex rules of rideshare cases. We know how to deal with Lyft's insurance policies and their tactics to avoid paying victims. Learn more about Lyft accidents below. Then, contact us to schedule a free case consultation.
Rideshare accidents create unique legal challenges that differ from regular car crash cases. Lyft drivers work as independent contractors rather than employees, which affects who you can sue and what insurance applies to your case. Most victims don't understand these special rules and may miss out on large amounts of money they deserve.
Insurance companies often try to deny claims or offer quick, low settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries. Our accident lawyer team knows the tricks insurance adjusters use to minimize payouts in Lyft cases. We handle all talks with these companies so you can focus on healing while we fight for every dollar you deserve.
Lyft provides different levels of insurance coverage depending on the driver's status at the time of the crash. The company's policy includes up to $1 million in liability coverage when drivers are actively transporting passengers or on their way to pick someone up. This coverage becomes extremely important when serious injuries occur, as the driver's personal insurance policy usually won't cover accidents that happen during commercial rideshare activities.
When a Lyft driver has the app turned off, they must rely on their own personal auto insurance if they cause an accident. Many personal policies specifically exclude coverage for rideshare driving, creating potential gaps that leave victims with limited options for recovery. Always ask if the driver was using the Lyft app at the time of your accident, as this crucial detail determines which insurance applies.
When the app is on but the driver hasn't accepted a ride request yet, Lyft provides limited coverage: $50,000 per person for injuries, $100,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This "waiting for a ride" period creates a middle ground with more coverage than personal insurance but less than when actively transporting passengers. Once a driver accepts a ride request, Lyft's full $1 million policy applies until the passenger exits the vehicle.
When another driver causes the crash while you're riding in a Lyft, you can file a claim against that driver's insurance first. Illinois requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but these policies often have limits too small to cover serious injuries. Many drivers in Chicago also drive without any insurance despite the law.
Lyft provides uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that kicks in when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance to cover your injuries. This important coverage protects passengers up to $1 million when the other driver is at fault but can't pay. Our rideshare accident lawyer team helps identify all possible insurance policies that might cover your injuries, ensuring you don't miss out on available compensation.
Lyft accidents happen in many different situations, from passenger pick-ups to third-party crashes with other vehicles. Each scenario creates different legal questions about who bears responsibility and which insurance policies apply.
Passengers in Lyft vehicles often suffer injuries when their driver causes a crash through careless driving or traffic violations. Common passenger injuries include whiplash, head trauma, broken bones, and back injuries from the sudden impact forces. Passengers have the strongest legal position in rideshare cases because they clearly had no role in causing the crash.
Lyft's full $1 million policy applies to all passenger injuries, regardless of whether the Lyft driver or another motorist caused the accident. This coverage includes both medical costs and other damages like lost wages and pain and suffering. Passengers can sometimes file claims against multiple insurance policies when both drivers share fault for the crash.
Other drivers, cyclists, and their passengers can suffer injuries when Lyft drivers cause crashes by speeding, running lights, or driving distracted. These "third-party" victims must prove that the Lyft driver caused the crash by negligence in order to access Lyft's insurance coverage. The amount of available coverage depends on the driver's app status at the time of the crash.
Insurance disputes often arise about whether the driver was "on the clock" with Lyft or using their vehicle for personal reasons. Our accident attorneys know how to obtain rideshare vehicle records that prove exactly when the driver was using the app. This crucial evidence can make the difference between accessing Lyft's $1 million policy or being limited to the driver's personal insurance.
Pedestrians hit by Lyft drivers often suffer catastrophic injuries due to their complete lack of protection. These vulnerable victims frequently sustain head trauma, spinal injuries, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage, even in relatively low-speed impacts. Pedestrians face the highest risk during passenger pick-ups and drop-offs when drivers may be distracted by their phones or looking for riders.
Lyft's insurance coverage for pedestrian injuries follows the same rules as other accidents, with coverage depending on the driver's app status. Pedestrians struck during active rides or passenger pick-ups can access the full $1 million policy. Our legal team helps gather evidence like app activity logs, GPS data, and witness statements to prove the driver was actively working for Lyft at the time.
Despite Lyft's background checks, some drivers operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These impaired drivers pose serious dangers to passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians due to slowed reactions and poor judgment. Drunk driving crashes typically cause more severe injuries due to higher speeds and the driver's failure to brake before impact.
Lyft may bear additional liability in these cases if they failed to properly screen drivers or ignored reports of driver intoxication from previous passengers. Rideshare companies are responsible for removing dangerous drivers from their platforms. Our firm investigates whether Lyft knew about previous complaints or problems with the driver that should have led to their removal from the service.
Some Lyft accidents happen because the company failed to properly screen drivers with histories of reckless driving or traffic violations. Lyft's background checks sometimes miss important red flags like multiple moving violations, license suspensions, or past accidents. These screening failures can create company liability beyond just insurance coverage.
Victims may have claims against Lyft directly when the company's negligent hiring practices contributed to their injuries. This includes cases where drivers had criminal records, histories of road rage, or medical conditions that made them unsafe to transport passengers. Our attorneys investigate driver histories thoroughly to identify these additional claims that may increase your potential compensation.
Liability in Lyft accidents often involves multiple parties depending on the specific circumstances. The Lyft driver bears primary responsibility when their negligence caused the crash, though their status as independent contractors creates complications about Lyft's direct liability. Other motorists who caused or contributed to the crash also bear responsibility, and their personal insurance should cover damages.
Lyft itself may share liability in cases involving negligent hiring, inadequate safety policies, or app designs that encourage distracted driving. Vehicle manufacturers could bear responsibility for mechanical failures or design defects, while government entities might be liable for dangerous road conditions that contributed to the crash. Our rideshare accident lawyer investigates all potential sources of compensation, especially when serious injuries exceed the primary insurance limits.
In most cases, you can't sue Lyft directly because drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. However, you can access Lyft's insurance coverage, which often provides better compensation than the driver's personal policy. In some cases involving negligent hiring or inadequate safety policies, direct claims against Lyft might be possible.
If the Lyft driver had their app turned off at the time of the crash, only their personal auto insurance applies to your injuries. Many personal policies exclude coverage during rideshare activities, so determining the exact status of the driver at the time of the accident becomes crucial to your case.
Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage when drivers are actively transporting passengers or on their way to pick up riders. When drivers are logged into the app but haven't accepted a ride, coverage drops to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage.
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Different deadlines may apply for insurance claims, usually requiring notification "as soon as practicable" after the accident. Contacting a lawyer quickly helps ensure you meet all required deadlines.
Yes, Lyft drivers should carry both personal auto insurance and rideshare coverage to fill gaps between personal policies and Lyft's commercial insurance. Unfortunately, many drivers skip this extra rideshare coverage to save money, creating potential insurance gaps that can complicate injury claims.
At Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Law, our experienced Lyft accident attorney offers free consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options clearly. We handle all rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we successfully recover money for your injuries. Give us a call today to schedule a free case consultation with a Lyft accident lawyer who understands the unique challenges of these cases.
JD Jordan, a Chicago personal injury attorney, understands client needs firsthand. A serious car accident in his youth, where he witnessed aggressive defense and the value of a supportive attorney, inspired his career. He has since helped clients recover nearly $100 million, recognized for his steady, strategic approach and ability to connect with those facing difficult circumstances.