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.
The rules of fault are the same, but one fact changes everything: the Lyft driver is an independent contractor, not an employee. Which insurance pays, and how much, depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the moment of the crash. That timeline question rarely comes up in an ordinary car accident, and it is usually the difference between a small policy and a large one.
There is no single answer. Lyft settlements range from a few thousand dollars to six or seven figures, depending on the severity of your injuries, how many vehicles were involved, and whether the insurers agree on fault. Serious injuries with significant medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain support higher recoveries. A lawyer's job is to document the full scope of your losses so the insurer cannot understate them.
It depends on the driver's status. If the app was off, only the driver's personal insurance applies. If the driver was logged in but waiting for a ride, Lyft provides limited contingent coverage. If the driver was en route to a pickup or carrying a passenger, Lyft's $1,000,000 commercial policy applies. Confirming which period was active is the first thing we establish.
Call 911, get medical attention, and document everything. Screenshot your Lyft app, the ride record, driver, vehicle, and trip status, because that data proves the driver's status and can disappear. Photograph the scene, exchange information, and get witness contacts. Then speak with a Lyft accident lawyer before giving any insurer a recorded statement.
That driver's insurance is the first source of recovery. If they have no coverage or too little, Lyft's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply while you were a passenger or on an active trip. Sorting out the order in which these policies pay is one of the more technical parts of a rideshare claim.
No. Collins Law Group handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
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.
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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