How to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Illinois

If you were injured in a Lyft accident in Illinois, you deserve answers and a path forward. At our law firm, we help injured passengers, pedestrians, and drivers pursue compensation through a Lyft accident lawsuit. With deep roots in Illinois and a strong record in rideshare litigation, our team knows how to hold negligent drivers and rideshare companies accountable under state law.

Filing a claim against a Lyft driver or pursuing legal action against Lyft’s insurance can feel overwhelming without guidance. Our attorneys understand the local court systems, insurance issues specific to rideshare accidents, and the nuances of determining the Lyft driver’s status at the time the accident happened. Whether you’re dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, or uncooperative insurance companies, we’re ready to step in.

If you’ve been hurt in a Lyft car accident, contact our office for a free consultation. We’re here to help you recover compensation and move forward.

Can You Sue Lyft Following a Rideshare Accident?

Yes, you can sue Lyft after a rideshare accident, especially if the insurance process doesn’t result in fair compensation. A Lyft accident claim typically begins with an insurance claim filed with either the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance or Lyft’s insurance company. But it’s essential to understand the difference between filing a claim and filing a lawsuit.

An insurance claim is essentially a negotiation with an insurance carrier, often companies like Allstate, Progressive, or State Farm. These insurers have one goal: to minimize what they pay. If they offer a low settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your medical expenses or lost wages, the only way to demand fair compensation is by filing a Lyft accident lawsuit in court. In Illinois, that generally means filing in the Circuit Court of Cook County or the appropriate venue based on where the accident occurred.

According to HB 2231, Lyft and other rideshare companies are legally defined as common carriers. That means they have the same legal responsibilities as a taxi company or bus line. Lyft can no longer claim it’s “just a software platform.” Instead, law firms can directly argue that Lyft is responsible for protecting passengers from harm throughout the entire ride, from the moment the trip is accepted on the Lyft app to drop-off.

If the insurer refuses to provide a fair Lyft accident settlement, your attorney can pursue a lawsuit that holds Lyft accountable under Illinois common carrier law. This significantly strengthens your ability to sue Lyft and recover the full compensation you’re owed for serious injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, and other damages.

What Are Lyft’s Insurance Limits in Illinois?

Understanding how Lyft’s insurance works in Illinois is essential if you’re thinking about filing a Lyft accident lawsuit. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver involved in a Lyft car accident, your ability to recover compensation depends heavily on the Lyft driver’s status at the time the accident happened.

Under Illinois’s Transportation Network Providers Act (625 ILCS 57/), Lyft is required to carry different levels of insurance depending on what the driver was doing during the trip process. These insurance tiers directly impact who pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Here’s how Lyft insurance coverage requirements are structured under Illinois law:

App Off – The Lyft Driver’s Personal Insurance

If the Lyft driver was not logged into the app when the accident occurred, Lyft is not involved. In this situation, the driver’s personal auto insurance is the only available coverage. Illinois requires all drivers to carry minimum liability limits of:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 for property damage

However, many personal insurance policies exclude commercial use of a vehicle. If the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim or does not fully cover your losses, your attorney may pursue a claim under uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if available, or sue the at-fault driver directly. These cases can become complicated, especially if you suffered severe injuries or significant property damage. Understanding which policy applies–and how to challenge a denied claim–often requires legal support from Lyft accident attorneys who have handled these cases before.

App On, No Ride Request — Contingent Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

If the Lyft driver was logged into the app but had not yet accepted a ride request, Lyft provides contingent liability coverage. This includes:

• Up to $50,000 for bodily injury per person
• Up to $100,000 per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

This type of coverage is called “contingent” because it only applies if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t provide coverage or isn’t enough to cover the loss. Disputes often arise between Lyft’s insurance company and the driver’s insurer, with each trying to push responsibility onto the other. If you were hit by a Lyft driver during this phase or suffered bodily injury as a pedestrian or driver, your ability to recover compensation will depend on proving the driver’s app status when the accident happened. Lyft accident cases in this category can involve frustrating delays, and having an experienced attorney helps protect your rights throughout the insurance investigation process.

Ride Accepted or Passenger Onboard — Lyft’s Liability Coverage

Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, Lyft’s full liability coverage kicks in. Under Illinois law, Lyft must provide at least:

• $1 million in third-party liability coverage
• Uninsured underinsured motorist coverage
• Coverage for property damage and bodily injury

This is the highest level of insurance Lyft provides, and it applies to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers injured during an active ride. Lyft’s coverage is primary, meaning it pays before the driver’s personal policy.

Even though the policy limits are higher, that doesn’t mean the process is easy. Lyft’s insurance company may still try to limit payouts, challenge your injury severity, or offer a low accident settlement that doesn’t cover the full cost of medical treatment, future medical expenses, emotional distress, or lost wages. In cases involving severe injuries or wrongful death, filing a Lyft accident lawsuit may be the only way to pursue full compensation under Lyft’s insurance coverage. Your attorney will use evidence such as medical records, police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction to help prove liability and fight for the amount you deserve.

What Damages Can Illinois Victims Recover Following a Car Accident Involving Lyft?

After a Lyft car accident in Illinois, victims often face more than just immediate injuries. Medical costs can add up quickly, time away from work can strain finances, and the emotional toll of the incident may linger for months or longer. In some tragic cases, families are left coping with the aftermath of fatal Lyft accidents.

Filing a Lyft accident lawsuit allows injured passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers to pursue compensation for these losses. The value of your case depends on several factors, including injury severity, medical bills, the Lyft driver’s status at the time of the crash, and available insurance coverage.

Here are the types of damages that may be recovered through a personal injury claim:

Medical Expenses

Victims of a Lyft car accident in Illinois can recover the cost of medical treatment, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and future medical expenses. Medical records and bills play a key role in proving the full extent of your injuries and the treatment you required after the accident occurred.

Lost Wages

If your injuries caused you to miss work, you can pursue compensation for lost wages. This includes time missed during recovery, doctor appointments, or ongoing medical care. In more serious injury cases, you may also be entitled to future lost earning capacity if your ability to return to work is permanently affected.

Wrongful Death

In fatal Lyft accidents, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim. These lawsuits seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the emotional distress of losing a loved one. Illinois law allows certain relatives to bring a claim on behalf of the deceased.

Pain and Suffering

You may also be eligible to recover damages for pain and suffering, which covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. The amount depends on factors like injury severity, recovery time, and how the accident has impacted your daily life and mental health.

Property Damage

If your vehicle or personal property was damaged in a Lyft accident, you can seek compensation for repair or replacement costs. This includes coverage for totaled vehicles, damaged electronics, or other personal items lost or broken during the crash, depending on the insurance coverage available at the time.

How Our Law Firm Can Help You Recover a Fair Lyft Accident Settlement

At our Chicago Lyft accident law firm, we represent individuals and families who’ve been harmed by careless or reckless rideshare drivers. Whether you were injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist, our team fights to secure Lyft accident settlements that reflect the actual impact of your injuries, both physically and financially. Here are a few examples of past case results.

$4,000,000 Settlement – Passenger killed when driver ran a red light

Angela, 42, was riding in a rideshare vehicle on South Halsted when the driver ran a red light and collided with another car in an intersection. She was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. Her family pursued a wrongful death lawsuit, citing the driver’s reckless driving and failure to obey traffic signals. The case value reflected both the emotional and financial loss to her children, as well as the strong liability evidence provided by the crash report and traffic camera footage.

$2,855,000 Settlement – Pedestrian hit while crossing the street

Julio, a 54-year-old restaurant manager, was struck by a rideshare vehicle while using a crosswalk on North Milwaukee Avenue. The driver claimed the light was green, but a witness and nearby dashcam footage confirmed that Julio had the right of way. He suffered a broken femur that required two surgeries at Rush University Medical Center. The high medical bills, lost wages, and permanent limp contributed to the final $2.855 million settlement.

$2,800,000 Settlement – Sidewalk crash causes severe orthopedic injuries

Marcus, a 39-year-old Chicago resident, was walking along West Division Street when a rideshare driver lost control and veered onto the sidewalk. He suffered multiple leg fractures that required several surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay at Northwestern Memorial. Surveillance footage from a nearby business and witness statements helped establish driver negligence. The severity of Marcus’s orthopedic injuries, combined with long-term physical therapy and time away from work, were significant factors in securing the $2.8 million recovery.

$1,680,000 Settlement – Motorcyclist suffers brain injury in traffic incident

Steve, a 34-year-old motorcyclist, was traveling through the Loop when a rideshare driver pulled into the bike lane while dropping off a passenger. The sudden movement caused a collision, and Steve suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. Medical records showed cognitive changes and ongoing therapy needs. The $1.68 million recovery considered future medical expenses and the effect on Steve’s career as an IT consultant.

$1,000,000 Settlement – Passenger injured while exiting the vehicle

Carmen, a 46-year-old marketing executive, was injured while getting out of a rideshare vehicle on West Adams Street. As she stepped out, the driver pulled away without noticing she hadn’t fully exited. She fell and sustained hip and foot injuries that required surgery. The claim focused on the driver’s failure to ensure passenger safety during drop-off, leading to a $1 million settlement.

$945,000 Settlement – Pedestrian struck while waiting at O’Hare

Brian, a 60-year-old conference speaker, was standing at a designated pickup area at O’Hare International Airport when a rideshare driver jumped the curb and hit him. He suffered a fractured wrist and internal injuries. Video evidence and airport security logs supported the case. Though Brian made a full recovery, the $945,000 settlement reflected both the medical costs and the disruption to his work.

FAQs

Does injury severity impact the value of a Lyft accident claim?

Yes. Injury severity plays a significant role in determining the value of a Lyft accident case. Claims involving severe injuries–such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractured bones, or internal injuries–often result in higher settlement amounts due to the long-term medical treatment, future medical expenses, and impact on daily life. Soft tissue injuries, like whiplash or sprains, may still warrant compensation but typically result in lower payouts. The more extensive the medical costs, physical pain, and disruption to work and family life, the more an experienced attorney can push for a higher Lyft accident settlement.

How do you prove liability in a Lyft accident case?

Proving liability involves collecting evidence that shows how and why the Lyft driver–or another involved party–caused the crash. Key forms of evidence include the police report, medical records, photos of the accident scene, dashcam footage, witness statements, and driver data from the Lyft app. In more complex cases, accident reconstruction specialists may be brought in to analyze vehicle movements and impact points. Establishing the driver’s status on the app is also critical, as it affects which insurance coverage applies. Your attorney uses this information to hold the at-fault driver or rideshare company accountable.

How long do Illinois victims have to file a Lyft accident lawsuit in Illinois?

Under the Illinois Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202), victims typically have two years from the date the accident happened to file a Lyft accident lawsuit. This time limit applies to claims involving personal injury, such as broken bones, concussions, or back injuries caused by a Lyft car accident.

In fatal Lyft accidents, families pursuing a claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) also have two years from the date of death to take legal action. Waiting too long can result in losing the right to sue, so it’s essential to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Secure Expert Legal Representation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare crash, working with an experienced motor vehicle accident law firm can make a significant difference in your recovery. We represent victims throughout Illinois who have suffered serious injuries in Lyft accidents, whether as passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers.

Our legal team understands the unique challenges involved in Lyft accident cases, from determining the driver’s status to dealing with multiple insurance companies. We work to uncover every available source of coverage and build a strong case supported by medical records, accident reports, and witness statements.

Whether you’re facing medical expenses, lost wages, or long-term disability, we fight for full compensation, not lowball offers. Every case starts with a free consultation, and there are no fees unless we win.

If you were involved in a Lyft car accident, contact our law firm today to discuss your legal options.