How to File a Lawsuit Against Lyft in Illinois

How to file a lawsuit against Lyft in Illinois is something many accident victims want to understand after being injured by a rideshare driver. Pursuing a claim against Lyft can be complicated because it involves both Illinois state laws and the company’s internal policies.

Taking the right steps early is critical to protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for your Lyft accident injuries. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to learn more about how our Lyft accident lawyers in Chicago can help you navigate the process.

Your Rights and Legal Options After a Lyft Accident

Crashes involving rideshare services like Lyft can be complicated because multiple parties might be responsible. Understanding your rights after an incident is essential, and navigating insurance claims and lawsuits can quickly become overwhelming.

Consulting with a Lyft accident lawyer can help you figure out the best course of action so you can pursue the compensation you deserve.

Determining Liability in Lyft Accidents

Figuring out who’s responsible in a Lyft accident can be tricky. Liability might fall on the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or another motorist. Understanding how fault is determined is an important step in building a strong case and seeking compensation.

Is the Lyft Driver an Employee or an Independent Contractor?

Whether a Lyft driver is considered an employee or an independent contractor makes a big difference when it comes to liability in an accident. If the rideshare driver is classified as an employee, the company may be held more directly responsible for what happens during the trip.

But as an independent contractor, which they’re usually classified as, the driver operates more independently, and responsibility can shift onto the driver themselves. This distinction affects who you can hold accountable and how claims are handled.

Lyft’s Insurance Coverage: Understanding the Layers of Protection

Lyft’s insurance coverage includes several layers that apply during different stages of a driver’s activity. Understanding when each policy kicks in and the coverage limits is important if an accident occurs.

• When the driver is not logged in to the app, the driver’s personal insurance is the primary coverage and is responsible for any accidents that occur.
• When the driver is logged into the Lyft app but hasn’t accepted a ride request, Lyft provides liability insurance coverage with limits typically around $50,000 per person and $100,000 per car accident, $25,000 in property damage.
• After the driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up a passenger, liability coverage increases to $1 million per car accident, covering bodily injury and property damage. This generally includes uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
• Once a passenger is in the Lyft vehicle until they reach their destination, $1 million liability and collision coverage is in place.

If you decide to file a claim or sue Lyft, knowing these auto insurance phases and limits helps clarify which coverage may apply – Lyft’s or the driver’s personal insurance.

When is the Lyft Driver Liable?

Lyft drivers can be held responsible when their own negligent actions result in an accident. This can include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions
• Distracted driving, such as using a phone
• Ignoring traffic laws, including running red lights or failing to yield
• Drugged or drunk driving
• Aggressive lane changes or tailgating
• Fatigue

Understanding when a Lyft driver’s behavior leads to liability helps accident victims seek compensation from the right party for their injuries.

When is Lyft Liable?

Lyft can be held responsible in certain situations when their own actions or policies contribute to a car accident. This includes Lyft accident cases where the rideshare company has failed to do a background check and screen drivers before allowing them on the platform (negligent hiring), or if they don’t provide adequate training and supervision to ensure safety.

Additionally, Lyft may be liable if defects or errors in their app or dispatch system played a part in the car crash. In these scenarios, the rideshare insurance company’s negligence in managing their drivers or technology can lead to direct responsibility.

In most cases, Lyft does not automatically have vicarious liability.

Third-Party Liability: Accidents Involving Other Drivers

In many rideshare accidents, liability doesn’t rest solely with the Lyft driver or the rideshare company. Other drivers involved in the car crash may share responsibility if their own negligence contributed to the accident.

This can include other drivers engaged in distracted driving, failure to obey traffic signals, unsafe lane changes, or vehicle defects.

Understanding that multiple parties might be responsible is essential so accident victims can understand who they may need to recover damages from. Understanding third-party liability insurance is an important part of these accidents.

Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident in Illinois

If a Lyft traffic accident occurs in Illinois, knowing how to respond can make a big difference in your recovery and any legal claims you may pursue. Taking the right steps helps protect both your safety and your rights.

Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention

Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-403(a)) requires drivers involved in accidents to render aid and seek help if someone is injured. Even if you believe your sustained injuries are minor, symptoms like headaches, bruises, or soreness can sometimes worsen over time or hide more serious issues.

Seeking the medical treatment you need also creates an important medical record that can support your lawsuit or auto insurance claim.

Report the Car Accident to the Police

Contacting the police and filing a report is a crucial step, particularly if someone is hurt or if the damage to any vehicle is significant. The police report provides an unbiased account of the incident, noting details such as who was involved, traffic violations, and scene conditions.

Document the Accident Scene

Take photos or videos showing the position of cars, visible damage, traffic signals, road signs, and any skid marks or debris. Capturing a thorough record of the scene helps recreate what happened and gives clear evidence that supports your version of events.

Gather Witness Information

If bystanders or passengers witnessed the crash, get their names and contact details. Witnesses can provide statements verifying important facts about the accident, which can be especially useful if there are conflicting stories or disputes about fault.

Report the Accident to Lyft Through the App

Be sure to notify Lyft as soon as possible using their app feature for reporting accidents. Provide clear, honest information about what happened. Timely reporting helps start Lyft’s internal investigation and creates a formal record showing you took responsible steps right after the accident.

Preserve Evidence

Keep all paperwork related to your serious injuries and accident-related costs, including hospital and doctor visit summaries, medical bills, prescriptions, and receipts for transportation or other necessary services. Record missed workdays and lost wages as well.

Do Not Give Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies Without Legal Advice

It’s important to speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer before talking to insurance adjusters or providing any formal statements to them. Auto insurance company representatives often try to limit payouts by asking leading questions or using claimants’ statements against them.

Taking these careful steps after a Lyft accident can help you navigate the aftermath of your accident.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Lyft

When you decide to file a claim against Lyft after an accident, understanding the steps involved can help you feel more prepared and confident throughout the process.

Investigating the Accident and Gathering Evidence

The first step involves your attorney thoroughly investigating the accident. This includes collecting essential evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness accounts, and data from Lyft itself.

Filing a Lawsuit in the Appropriate Illinois Court

Next, your lawyer can send Lyft a demand letter, and prepare and file a complaint in the appropriate Illinois court. Filing the lawsuit officially starts the legal action. In some instances, your case could be filed in small claims court, but if you’ve suffered injuries and extensive damages, it will be filed in a court that can award higher amounts of compensation.

Serving Lyft with the Lawsuit

Once you file a claim/lawsuit, Lyft must be formally served with the complaint and a summons. This legal notification ensures Lyft is aware of the claim and has the chance to respond within the set time frame.

The Discovery Process

The discovery phase follows, where both sides exchange information to learn more about the facts and evidence. This process can involve written questions, known as interrogatories, sworn testimony through depositions, and requests for documents related to the accident.

Negotiating a Settlement with Lyft’s Insurance Company

Settlement discussions generally take place after you file a claim but before a case goes to trial. Your lawyer will negotiate with Lyft’s insurance representatives in hopes of reaching a fair settlement, avoiding the time and expense of court.

Going to Trial

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, the case will proceed to trial. During the trial, a jury is selected, both sides present their evidence and arguments, and a final decision is made.

Knowing these steps helps you understand what to expect and how your attorney will guide you through each phase.

Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Lyft Accident Lawsuit

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident and plan to sue Lyft or a rideshare driver, you may be entitled to fair compensation for a variety of losses.

Economic Damages

Economic damages reimburse you for the actual costs and losses directly related to your injury. Examples include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Lost income and any lost income in the future you may experience
• Costs to repair or replace vehicle and property damage (actual cash value)
• Expenses related to rehabilitation or home modifications
• Attorney fees and court filing fees
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident

Non-Economic Damages

Compensation can also help address the non-financial impacts of a Lyft accident – those things that aren’t easily measured with bills or receipts but still deeply affect your life.

• Physical and emotional pain and suffering the Lyft driver caused in the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of everyday activities and hobbies you once loved
• Anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges
• The strain an injury may place on personal relationships or family life
• Permanent impairments, disabilities, or changes in appearance

Recognizing the damages you’re entitled to ensures that your financial recovery accounts for all of your losses.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Illinois

Under Illinois personal injury law 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of a typical car crash to file a claim. This time limit, called the statute of limitations, applies to claims involving Lyft accidents as well. Missing this deadline can prevent you from being able to recover compensation, even if you have a strong case.

Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Attorney to Sue Lyft

If you plan to sue Lyft after an accident, it can be complicated because Lyft drivers are usually considered independent contractors, which is why having an experienced Lyft accident attorney is so important.

Our firm has spent decades handling accident cases and has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Our legal advocates understand the unique challenges that come with these personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims and know how to build strong cases to hold the right parties accountable.

Contact Our Chicago Lyft Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident in Chicago, it’s important to get legal support as soon as possible for a lawsuit or insurance claim. Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys are ready to offer you a free, no-pressure consultation where you can share the details of your case.

We’ll take the time to understand your situation, explain how the legal process works, and discuss the best way to pursue the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only owe us fees if we recover compensation for you. Call (888) 424-5757 or complete our online contact form as soon as you’re ready to get started.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.