Lyft has become a go-to option for many people looking for a reliable ride, but not every trip goes smoothly. Accidents involving rideshare vehicles can be stressful, especially when you try to figure out insurance details, file a claim and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
Whether you were a Lyft passenger in a crash, in your own car when a Lyft driver hit you or a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a Lyft, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. It’s important to understand your rights and how to navigate the claims process, and a Lyft accident lawyer can help guide you through it.
Accidents involving Lyft vehicles can lead to many different injuries. Here are some of the most common:
No matter how you were injured in a Lyft accident, you should see a doctor immediately to document your injuries and set up a treatment plan.
Just like other traffic collisions, Lyft accidents often involve speeding, aggressive driving, ignoring traffic signs or driving under the influence. However, rideshare crashes may come with certain unique circumstances:
Regardless of the cause, these crashes can hurt passengers and people in other vehicles, as well as pedestrians or cyclists. If you are in Illinois and get into a Lyft-related accident, you may benefit from working with a Lyft accident lawyer who understands how to handle rideshare claims.
Lyft accident settlements vary widely, depending on the severity of injuries, the number of vehicles involved and whether the insurance companies agree on who was at fault. Some claims resolve for a few thousand dollars, while others can reach six or seven figures.
If your injuries are serious, your medical bills, lost wages and ongoing pain might justify a higher settlement. However, insurance providers often try to reduce what they pay, giving you a lowball offer early on.
A lawyer for Lyft accidents can challenge these low settlement offers. They look at your medical records, wage statements and other relevant documents to show the true scope of your losses. If the settlement still remains unfair, your rideshare accident lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit to seek a better outcome in court. In many cases, just showing you are prepared to fight for fair compensation can encourage insurers to negotiate reasonably.
Rideshare insurance is not as simple as a standard auto policy, especially for a Lyft accident in Illinois. Coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Lyft breaks these “periods” into four main categories:
If the Lyft app is off, the driver is not considered to be working for Lyft. Any accident that happens at this time is covered by the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
Once the driver is online but has not yet accepted a ride, Lyft provides third-party liability insurance if the driver’s own insurance does not apply. Coverage amounts typically include:
Coverage details can sometimes vary based on your specific situation or location, but a lawyer can help you determine the exact coverage that applies to your case.
In most states, Lyft carries at least $1,000,000 in third-party auto liability. This covers injuries and property damage caused by the Lyft driver, though certain exceptions exist. Lyft may also offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage.
If the Lyft driver has comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal policy, Lyft provides contingent collision coverage up to the car’s actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible.
As soon as a passenger is in the car and until that passenger is dropped off, Lyft typically maintains at least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability. In the same way that Lyft provides coverage when the driver is en route, the company may offer UM/UIM coverage, PIP, MedPay or occupational accident coverage for the driver when the ride is in progress.
If a driver has their own comprehensive and collision coverage, Lyft offers contingent coverage up to the vehicle’s actual cash value, minus a $2,500 deductible.
If you are a Lyft passenger and another driver causes the accident, you can pursue a claim against that at-fault driver’s insurance. If that driver doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient coverage, Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage may apply. In this scenario, your route to compensation could include:
Pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists also have the option to file claims or lawsuits if a non-Lyft driver is found responsible. A lawyer for Lyft accidents can review the specifics of your case and help you understand the different layers of insurance coverage involved.
Some people are reluctant to use their personal policies for a crash they did not cause. However, if the at-fault driver’s coverage or Lyft’s coverage is slow to pay or insufficient, you might tap into your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or medical payments coverage. This may allow you to receive partial reimbursement more quickly, though it can affect your future premiums.
If you were injured in a Lyft accident, you have to identify the insurance coverage in effect, prove your losses and submit a claim to the correct party. This can be difficult on your own, especially if multiple insurance companies disagree about liability.
Here are the main steps:
If you have a valid accident claim, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone. A lawyer for Lyft accidents can advocate for you and help you seek a fair settlement.
In most cases, Illinois gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, and generally two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Some claims carry shorter notice deadlines. Because rideshare cases involve evidence that can disappear quickly, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.
It depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. With the Lyft app off, only the driver's personal auto policy applies. With the app on but waiting for a ride request, Lyft provides up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. From the moment the driver accepts a ride through drop-off, Lyft carries at least $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage.
It turns on the driver's status at the moment of the crash. If the driver was offline, their personal insurance is responsible. Once the app is on, and especially while the driver is en route to a rider or carrying a passenger, Lyft's commercial coverage of up to $1,000,000 typically applies. Identifying the correct coverage period is one of the most important parts of a Lyft accident claim.
If the driver had the app off at the time of the crash, Lyft's coverage does not apply, and the claim is handled under the driver's personal auto insurance, just like an ordinary car accident.
As a passenger, you are covered during the ride by Lyft's third-party liability policy of at least $1,000,000, whether your Lyft driver or another driver caused the crash. If another driver was at fault and was uninsured or underinsured, Lyft's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also apply.
You can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance. If that driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your injuries, Lyft's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists struck by a Lyft driver can also file claims.
Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your past and future medical bills, the income you have lost and will lose, the degree of negligence, and the insurance coverage available. Serious cases involving spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or permanent disability can be worth substantially more.
Rideshare claims are more complicated than ordinary car accidents because multiple insurance policies and coverage periods can apply and insurers work to minimize what they pay. A Lyft accident lawyer can identify every applicable policy, prove your losses, and negotiate or litigate for full compensation. Collins Law Group offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
A Few of our Rideshare Accident Settlements:
$8.5 Million - Motor Vehicle Wrongful Death Settlement
Plaintiff's decedent was killed when a bus driver negligently ran a red light at a Chicago intersection colliding with the decedent's vehicle. The decedent was survived by a spouse and three minor children.
$1.35 Million - Motor Vehicle Crash Settlement
Plaintiff suffered multiple fractures when the car she was driving was hit from behind at a high rate of speed.
$750,000 Rideshare Accident Settlement
Rideshare crash settlement for a client who sustained a serious spinal injury.
$500,000 Rideshare Accident Settlement
Our client was a passenger in a rideshare vehicle when it rear-ended another car. He injured his back and required a cervical fusion.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Lyft accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Call Collins Law Group for a free consultation—we’re available 24/7. Our Lyft accident lawyers will fight relentlessly for you and won’t back down, no matter how complicated your case seems. If you want results, let Collins Law Group stand up for you.
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