Lyft Accident Claims

There are approximately 85,000 rideshare drivers in Chicago, fulfilling thousands of ride requests every day. Given the dangers of Chicago’s streets, especially crowded arterials like State Street and Milwaukee Avenue, this results in numerous Lyft accident claims.

If you’ve been in a rideshare accident, an experienced Lyft accident lawyer is a vital resource. We will determine liability coverage, guide you through the claims process, and protect you from deceptive insurance tactics. Contact us today for a free consultation about your claim.

How to File a Claim After an Accident Involving Lyft

Acting quickly is essential after a Lyft vehicle accident. You should first receive medical attention from the nearest hospital, such as Mount Sinai Hospital or John H. Stroger Medical Center, even if you don’t feel injured. Once you have been medically cleared, you can begin the claims process.

Report the Accident to Lyft

You can report the accident on the Lyft app or website. On the app, click “Help” and then “Report a safety issue or accident.” Please indicate whether you are a Lyft passenger or driver. Provide as much detail as possible, including your contact information, for Lyft’s insurance carrier to follow up.

Lyft’s website also allows you to open a Lyft accident case. The process takes 10-15 minutes. Do not call the insurance company after submitting a claim, as they may record your statements and use them against you to deny the request.

File an Accident Report with the Police

Lyft’s insurance adjusters will need proof of the accident. Contact the Chicago Police Department and file a police report, including the date, time, location, and how the crash occurred.

In addition to filing a report, you should also get contact details for any witnesses. Ask them for their names and phone numbers so our legal team can follow up with them later.

Consult a Lyft Accident Lawyer Before You Speak to Any Insurance Company

Lyft accident victims should not deal directly with insurance companies, as Lyft’s insurer will push you to settle for a lowball offer. After you have reported the accident, contact a Chicago Lyft accident lawyer for legal help.

What Types of Insurance Claims Can Be Filed After a Lyft Car Crash?

Lyft accident lawsuits are challenging due to the multiple insurance policies involved. To secure fair compensation, crash victims need skilled legal representation, as our attorneys can negotiate with multiple insurers at once to ensure all damages are covered.

Lyft’s Liability Coverage

Lyft accident insurance is based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. The different status types are as follows.

App Is Off: The Lyft driver’s personal insurance coverage is responsible for any damages.

App Is On, and Driver Can Receive Requests: Lyft’s coverage is $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

Driver Is En Route to a Passenger: Lyft’s insurance carrier will cover up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage. If the driver has comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal insurance, then Lyft provides contingent coverage with a $2,500 deductible.

Ride Is Active: The same commercial policy applies as if a driver is en route to a passenger, including $1,000,000 in third-party coverage.

Lyft Driver’s Personal Insurance

Lyft mandates that its independent contractors have personal insurance. If the driver was not working or Lyft’s insurance company refuses to pay, we can pursue compensation from the driver’s personal policy. Illinois law requires a minimum of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident (625 ILCS 5/7-203), and a minimum of $20,000 in property damage coverage (625 ILCS 5/7-203).

Other Drivers’ Insurance

As Illinois is an at-fault state (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), Lyft will only cover the accident if the Lyft driver was at fault. All Illinois motorists are legally required to have insurance, but unfortunately, about 15.2% of Illinois drivers are uninsured.

We may then recover damages from either the Lyft driver’s uninsured motorist policy or your own. If you were a pedestrian, the Illinois Supreme Court case Galarza v. Direct Auto Insurance Co. ruled that you can make a claim against your own uninsured motorist policy.

FAQs

What damages can be recovered in a Lyft car accident claim?

You may recover both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Past and future medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses, like physical therapy
• Lost income and loss of earning capacity
• Vehicle repairs and damaged property
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

For fatal Lyft accidents, the next of kin can receive funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and grief.

In addition to pursuing compensation through the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/), the victim’s estate can sue under the Illinois Survival Act (755 ILCS 5/27-6). This would cover any damages that the deceased could have claimed if they had survived and would involve many of the same procedures as a personal injury claim.

How long do Lyft accident victims have to take legal action in Illinois?

You have two years to file a lawsuit after the day of the incident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Wrongful death claims have a statute of limitations starting two years after the person’s death date (740 ILCS 180/).

Let Us Help Make Sure Negligent Parties Are Held Accountable

Chicago traffic accident lawyers can make a significant difference in whether you’re able to secure compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. We will thoroughly investigate your claim by securing strong evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements.

The ride status is vital proof in these accidents, as Lyft’s insurance company will not pay for damages unless it can be proven that the driver was en route or actively transporting a passenger. By subpoenaing phone records, we can show the app was active, and the insurance company is liable. These records can also prove negligence, such as if another motorist was using their phone while driving. This is illegal both under state law and the Chicago Municipal Code (9-76-230).

As members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we have secured multi-million-dollar settlements on behalf of our clients, including against major corporations such as Lyft and Uber. We will handle all third-party communications so that you can focus on your recovery process rather than negotiating with insurers.

Our team works on a contingency fee basis: no legal fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about a Lyft accident.