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Chicago Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Chicago, the available insurance depends on the driver’s app status. Illinois requires up to $1 million in primary liability coverage during an accepted trip, and many personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years.
A Chicago rideshare accident lawyer can help you identify who may be responsible for a crash, which insurance policies may apply, and what compensation you may be able to pursue. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC helps injured people navigate claims involving medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related losses.
These cases can involve multiple drivers and insurance policies. Your options depend on how the collision happened, the driver’s app status, and the evidence supporting your claim.
Rideshare Accident Claims in Chicago: Your Options
You may have a claim if you were an Uber or Lyft passenger, another driver hit your vehicle, or a rideshare vehicle injured you while cycling or walking. You do not have to be a passenger to pursue compensation for injuries caused by another person’s negligence.
For example, a rideshare driver might run a red light, turn across a cyclist’s path, or hit a pedestrian while approaching a pickup location. The driver’s conduct and the circumstances of the crash help determine liability.
Insurance coverage is another important consideration. A driver’s personal auto policy, a rideshare company’s coverage, and another motorist’s insurance may all need to be reviewed. The applicable policy often depends on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, or had accepted a trip.
Learn more about claims involving a Chicago Uber accident lawyer or a Chicago Lyft accident lawyer. If multiple vehicles were involved, a Chicago car accident lawyer can also help explain your options.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
The rideshare driver may be liable if negligent driving caused the collision. Common examples include speeding, distracted driving, running a red light, following too closely, and making an unsafe turn or lane change.
Other parties may also be responsible:
- Another motorist: A driver who fails to yield or changes lanes unsafely may cause or contribute to the crash.
- A rideshare company: Liability depends on the company’s conduct and the applicable legal basis for holding it responsible.
- A vehicle owner or maintenance provider: Negligent maintenance or a mechanical problem may contribute to an accident.
- Multiple parties: More than one person’s actions may have caused or contributed to the collision.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person may generally recover damages if they are not more than 50% responsible, although their recovery is reduced by their share of fault.
Evidence such as police reports, witness accounts, photographs, dashcam footage, and available rideshare records can help establish what happened.
Fatal collisions may raise separate questions about compensation for surviving family members. Depending on the circumstances, these may include Uber accident wrongful death claims or a Lyft accident wrongful death claim.
The question of if rideshare companies qualify as common carriers, traditionally associated with a heightened duty of care to passengers, requires careful legal analysis. Have an attorney review this issue before making conclusions about a company’s potential liability.
Rideshare Insurance Coverage in Illinois
Illinois requires different insurance coverage depending on the driver’s status in the app.
| Driver’s status | Required coverage |
| App off | The driver’s personal auto policy generally applies, subject to its terms and exclusions. |
| App on, no accepted request | At least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage, with additional statutory requirements. |
| Accepted trip through completion | At least $1 million in primary liability coverage for death, personal injury, and property damage. |
These requirements appear in Section 10 of the Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act, 625 ILCS 57/10. The accepted-trip period begins when the driver accepts a ride request and continues until the transaction or ride is complete, whichever is later.
For platform-specific details, read about Uber insurance requirements in Illinois and Lyft insurance requirements in Illinois.
During an accepted trip, Illinois also requires $50,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage while a passenger is inside the vehicle. This may matter when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage.
These limits do not guarantee a particular settlement. Recovery depends on liability, covered losses, policy terms, and the circumstances of the claim.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Chicago
Taking a few practical steps after a collision can help protect your health and preserve evidence.
- Get medical attention. Call 911 for emergencies and seek prompt care, even if symptoms initially seem minor.
- Report the crash. Contact law enforcement when appropriate and ask how to obtain the crash report.
- Save trip details. Keep your rideshare receipt, trip confirmation, driver information, and relevant app messages.
- Document the scene. If safe, photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries. Collect witness contact details.
- Keep records. Save medical bills, treatment records, receipts, and proof of missed work.
- Be careful with insurers. Provide accurate information, but avoid guessing about details you do not know. Consider legal advice before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement.
- Preserve evidence. Dashcam footage, camera recordings, witness accounts, and rideshare records may help establish how the collision occurred.
You do not need to know which policy applies before seeking medical care or preserving evidence. An attorney can help identify potential coverage and explain your options.
Passengers, Other Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians: How Claims Differ
The circumstances of the collision affect how an injury claim proceeds.
Passengers: A rideshare passenger injury claim may involve the driver of the vehicle you occupied, another motorist, or both. Coverage depends on the driver’s app status and the facts of the crash.
Other drivers: If an Uber or Lyft vehicle hit your car, investigators may need to establish whether the driver had accepted a trip and whether another motorist contributed to the collision.
Cyclists: Unsafe turns, lane changes, and pickup maneuvers can put cyclists at risk. If negligence caused your injuries, you may have a claim. See our Chicago bicycle accident lawyer page.
Pedestrians: Pickups, drop-offs, and turns can create risks for people on foot. A pedestrian injured by a rideshare vehicle may be able to pursue compensation from a responsible party. Learn more from a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer.
In each case, liability, insurance coverage, and the evidence of injury determine the available options.
Chicago Rules for Rideshare Drivers and Companies
Rideshare operations in Chicago are governed by Illinois law and local regulations. The Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act sets statewide requirements, while Chapter 9-115 of the Chicago Municipal Code addresses transportation network providers operating in the city.
Chicago’s rules cover licensing, driver qualifications, and other operating requirements. However, a regulatory violation does not automatically establish liability for a particular crash. The evidence must still support the claim.
For additional background on rideshare safety, read Is Uber safe in Chicago.
Chicago Crash Statistics
The supplied 2023 Illinois Department of Transportation figures report:
- 101,023 total crashes
- 158 fatal crashes
- 167 people killed
- 17,792 injury crashes
- 25,077 people injured
These are statewide Illinois figures, not Chicago-only or rideshare-specific statistics. If the page requires Chicago-specific numbers, those figures must be checked against IDOT’s city-level data before publication.
Statistics provide context for roadway safety, but they do not establish fault in an individual collision. That depends on the evidence from the crash.
Compensation in a Rideshare Accident Claim
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue compensation for documented losses, including:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospital treatment, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: Income missed during recovery and, where supported, reduced future earning capacity.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Necessary costs related to treatment and recovery.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and the effect of injuries on daily life.
- Long-term losses: Ongoing limitations, disability, or future care needs supported by evidence.
Claim value depends on injury severity, recovery prospects, evidence of fault, available insurance, and comparative negligence. There is no standard settlement amount for every rideshare crash.
For more information, read how to calculate a car accident settlement or learn about a Lyft accident settlement.
Review any settlement offer carefully. Accepting one may require you to release further claims, even if additional treatment becomes necessary.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit?
Illinois generally allows two years from when a personal injury claim accrues to file a lawsuit. For many rideshare injury claims, that means two years from the crash, although exceptions may apply.
Different deadlines may govern property damage, claims involving government entities, and certain cases involving minors or legal disabilities. Insurance negotiations do not necessarily pause the court filing deadline.
Missing the applicable deadline may prevent you from pursuing compensation in court. Read more about the Illinois car accident statute of limitations.
Talk With a Chicago Rideshare Accident Lawyer
A rideshare collision can leave you dealing with treatment, missed work, vehicle damage, and insurance calls. You may also be unsure whether the driver’s personal insurance or a rideshare policy applies.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can review the crash, investigate potential liability, identify insurance coverage that may be available, and explain your options. Contact the firm for a free consultation to discuss your situation with a Chicago rideshare accident lawyer.
FAQs
Can you sue Uber or Lyft after an accident in Chicago?
You may have a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident, but whether the company itself can be held responsible depends on the facts and applicable law. A claim may involve the driver, another motorist, or one or more insurance policies.
How much insurance does Uber or Lyft have in Illinois?
Illinois requires at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage during the applicable app-on period before a request is accepted. During an accepted trip, at least $1 million in primary liability coverage is required.
What if I was a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that crashed?
You may be able to seek compensation if you were injured as a passenger. The applicable coverage depends on the driver’s app status, the cause of the collision, and the available insurance. Keep your trip details and medical records.
What if an Uber or Lyft driver hits my car, bike, or me as a pedestrian?
You may have a claim against a responsible driver or another liable party. The driver’s app status affects insurance coverage, but it does not automatically determine fault.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in Illinois?
Many personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of when the claim accrues. Exceptions may apply, so confirm the deadline for your circumstances rather than waiting until it is close.
Will the insurance company treat my rideshare accident claim fairly?
An insurer may dispute liability, coverage, or the extent of your injuries. Keep records of treatment and financial losses, provide accurate information, and review settlement offers carefully. Legal guidance can help you understand whether an offer accounts for your documented losses.
Legally Reviewed By
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Content legally reviewed by Jonathan Rosenfeld This page has been reviewed for legal accuracy by Jonathan Rosenfeld, a Chicago personal injury attorney with nearly 25 years of experience representing people injured in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and rideshare accidents. Jonathan has recovered more than $450 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients and families in Chicago. He holds a 10/10 rating on Avvo, is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers. Jonathan leads the firm’s approach to holding insurance carriers and corporate defendants accountable for serious traffic injuries.