Lyft Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer

Compensation Following Fatal Lyft Accidents

A fatal rideshare accident along Chicago’s highways, like the Dan Ryan Expressway or Edens Expressway, leaves a devastating financial and emotional toll. A Lyft accident wrongful death attorney from our firm can help you recover compensation for the financial burden while protecting your privacy so your family can heal. Contact us today for a free initial consultation about a rideshare crash claim.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim Following a Fatal Accident Involving Lyft?

The Illinois Wrongful Death Act enables next of kin to seek compensation following a fatal accident. (740 ILCS 180/). This includes loved ones of:

• Lyft drivers or passengers
• Drivers or passengers of other vehicles
• Motorcyclists
• Pedestrians
• Bicyclists
• Bystanders or other third parties

What Types of Insurance Cover Fatal Car Accidents Involving Lyft?

Liability coverage depends on when and how the rideshare accident occurred, as well as the driver’s status at the time of the crash.

Lyft Driver’s App Status at the Time of Crash

Though rideshare drivers are independent contractors, the Lyft liability insurance policy covers accidents involving on-duty drivers. There are three statuses, each with a different level of coverage.

Logged Off the App

Lyft drivers must maintain personal insurance. If the Lyft app is off, then the driver’s personal auto insurance will cover the accident. In Illinois, the minimum limits are $25,000 per person or $50,000 per crash for bodily injury (625 ILCS 5/7-203) and $20,000 per accident in property damage (625 ILCS 5/7-203). Unfortunately, those who suffer fatal injuries often need more substantial coverage, as their surviving family members will have much higher economic losses.

Logged In but Waiting for a Trip

If the driver is logged into the rideshare app but does not have a passenger, Lyft provides the following insurance policy limits:

• $50,000/person for bodily injury
• $100,000/crash for bodily injury
• $25,000/crash for property damage

En Route to Pickup or Carrying a Passenger

Crashes involving rideshare vehicles have much higher policy limits than personal automobiles. Lyft offers up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage. However, rideshare companies will fight to avoid paying full compensation, making it crucial that you have an attorney to negotiate on your behalf.

Negligent Parties Who May Be Held Responsible

Depending on the case facts, claims could involve:

• Rideshare driver
• Other motorists
• Rideshare company’s insurance

It is much more difficult to hold Lyft liable because the rideshare industry uses third-party contractors. However, we could argue direct liability for negligent hiring or supervision if the driver had a history of reckless driving.

What Damages Can Surviving Family Members Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim Following a Lyft Accident in Illinois?

Our firm will calculate your Chicago Lyft accident claim to ensure you receive a fair settlement that covers all your needs, which can include the following.

Lost Wages

If your loved one did not pass away immediately, we can secure damages for their lost income prior to death. We will also seek damages for the loss of financial support, working with economists to determine what your loved one’s future income may have been.

Medical Expenses

We will calculate your loved one’s medical bills before their death, ensuring you do not have to negotiate with health insurance adjusters.

Funeral and Burial Expenses

Once you have determined how you would like to honor your loved one, we will seek to have these expenses reimbursed. This can include caskets, memorial stones, burial plots, wakes, celebration of life expenses, cremation expenses, and viewing costs.

Household Contributions

Your loved one’s childcare, housekeeping, cooking, and cleaning can all be considered in a settlement, particularly if you now have to outsource these due to disability or grief.

Non-Economic Damages

Grief, loss of companionship, loss of consortium for spouses, and loss of guidance for children are key factors in wrongful death settlements. While no monetary sum can bring back your loved one, we will ensure you have the funds you need to seek counseling and prioritize healing.

How Long Do Family Members Have to File a Fatal Lyft Accident Claim in Illinois?

Next of kin have two years after the date of death to file a lawsuit (740 ILCS 180/). It’s crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible so that we can begin investigating and negotiating. We offer complimentary consultations on a contingency-fee basis, meaning no fee unless we win.

How We Can Help

A Chicago Lyft accident lawyer from our firm will preserve critical evidence, such as surveillance footage, Lyft driver cell phone data, witness statements, and police reports, to establish liability. As members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we have secured positive verdicts and settlements well beyond the state average.

For example, we secured $4,000,000 for the family of Natalie, a passenger heading home to her Gold Coast apartment. Her rideshare driver ran a red light, and the vehicle was T-boned by a cement truck. Natalie suffered a serious head injury and later died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

We used dash cam footage, witness testimony, and crash reconstruction specialist reports, showing that the Lyft driver was checking his app to see whether he had any pending requests. We also held the cement truck company liable.

Book a Free Consultation

Our law firm deeply understands the pain and grief that families face when a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence. A Chicago traffic accident lawyer from our firm is here to support you, managing the litigation process so that you can prioritize your healing. We will secure valuable evidence, negotiate with insurers, and represent you in court if necessary.

As members of the American Association for Justice and a Super Lawyers®-rated firm, we are passionate about helping our fellow Chicagoans hold negligent Lyft drivers or rideshare agencies accountable for negligence.

We work on a contingency fee basis: no legal expenses unless we win. Contact our caring wrongful death attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation about filing a legal claim.