Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a convenient way to get around Chicago. From commuting in The Loop to catching a ride after a night out in Wrigleyville, many people choose rideshares to go about their day. With thousands of rideshare drivers on the road, though, accidents happen—sometimes with serious consequences. Unlike standard car accidents, rideshare crashes involve multiple insurance policies, corporate liability questions, and legal complexities that make the claims process more difficult.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a rideshare accident, you may be wondering what you should do after a rideshare accident in Chicago. It’s natural to feel uncertain about what steps to take. Medical bills, lost wages, and insurance company tactics add stress to an already difficult situation.
You need to understand how to protect your rights and secure fair compensation. Speaking with a Chicago rideshare accident attorney can help you get answers and ensure your case is handled properly.
Immediate Actions After a Rideshare Accident
After a rideshare crash, taking the right steps can make a difference in your health, safety, and ability to recover damages.
Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries
Assess your condition and check on others in the vehicle. If you or anyone else is seriously hurt, avoid movement until emergency responders arrive. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic.
Call 911 for Police and Medical Assistance
Illinois law requires reporting accidents involving injuries, deaths, or significant property damage. A police report creates an official record, which will be important for insurance claims and potential legal action. Paramedics can assess injuries and provide emergency care if needed.
Document the Scene with Photos and Videos
Capture images of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. If the crash occurred in a high-traffic area like Michigan Avenue or Lake Shore Drive, include details that show the surrounding environment. Video footage can also help preserve critical evidence.
Exchange Information with All Parties
Obtain contact and insurance details from the rideshare driver, other drivers involved, and passengers. Make sure to get the rideshare driver's name, license plate, and rideshare company affiliation.
Gather Witness Contact Information
Bystanders or passengers who saw what happened may provide valuable statements to support your claim. Ask for their names and phone numbers in case additional testimony is needed later.
Medical Considerations
If a rideshare accident injures you or a loved one, you must seek medical care as soon as possible after the crash—even if your injuries seem minor. Some conditions take time to appear, and delaying treatment can make recovery harder while also affecting an injury claim. Insurance companies may try to downplay injuries if there is no immediate medical documentation. You must get treatment early to help protect both your health and your legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention for Any Injury
Adrenaline can mask pain after an accident, making injuries seem less severe at first. A doctor can diagnose issues like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage that might not be obvious right away. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible ensures proper treatment and creates a record of injury-related expenses.
Follow Up with Healthcare Providers
After an initial evaluation, following medical advice and attending all follow-up appointments helps with recovery. Skipping treatments or ignoring symptoms can make injuries worse and give insurance companies a reason to question the seriousness of the condition.
Keep Detailed Records of Medical Visits and Treatments
Maintaining organized records of medical visits, prescriptions, therapy sessions, and any related expenses helps document the impact of injuries. These records serve as evidence when seeking compensation for medical costs and other losses.
Common Rideshare Accident Injuries
Rideshare accidents often result in injuries ranging from mild to severe, depending on the impact and circumstances of the crash. Passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists can all suffer harm in these collisions, especially on busy Chicago roads like the Dan Ryan Expressway, Lake Shore Drive, or congested intersections in River North. Some injuries require immediate emergency care, while others may worsen over time if left untreated.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
The sudden force of a collision can cause the neck to snap forward and backward, leading to whiplash. This injury may not show symptoms right away, but stiffness, headaches, and reduced mobility can develop in the hours or days after the accident. Soft tissue injuries, such as muscle sprains and ligament tears, can also cause significant pain and limit movement.
Broken Bones and Fractures
High-impact crashes can break bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone. Pedestrians or cyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle are particularly vulnerable to fractures due to the lack of protection. Broken bones often require surgery, casting, or physical therapy for recovery.
Head and Brain Injuries
Blunt force trauma or sudden jolts can cause concussions and more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Symptoms like dizziness, confusion, memory loss, or nausea may indicate brain trauma. In severe cases, TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairment, making it difficult for victims to return to work or daily routines.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Herniated discs, nerve damage, or spinal cord injuries can occur from the force of a rideshare crash. These injuries may cause chronic pain, mobility limitations, or even paralysis in severe cases. Rear-end collisions, especially in stop-and-go traffic near places like the Magnificent Mile, can contribute to back and neck trauma.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
Seat belts save lives, but the force of a crash can still cause internal injuries such as bleeding, organ damage, or punctured lungs. Internal injuries may not be immediately visible, making medical evaluation essential after an accident.
Psychological Trauma and Emotional Distress
Beyond physical injuries, a rideshare accident can leave lasting emotional and psychological effects. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression are common after a serious crash. Psychological treatment and counseling may be necessary to help victims cope with the aftermath.
Prompt medical care and ongoing treatment play a key role in recovery. Proper documentation of injuries and their impact helps support an injury claim and ensures you receive the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation.
Legal Reporting Requirements for Rideshare Crashes
Certain legal obligations apply after a rideshare accident in Chicago, and failing to meet them could affect your ability to recover compensation.
Chicago-Specific Accident Reporting Rules
Illinois law requires reporting any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500. If the driver is uninsured, the threshold drops to $500.
How to Obtain the Police Report
The Chicago Police Department provides accident reports online or in person. Requesting a copy ensures you have an official record of the crash, which can help support your claim.
Timeframes for Filing Accident Reports in Illinois
Illinois law requires filing a crash report with the Illinois Department of Transportation within ten days if it meets reporting criteria.
Navigating Insurance Complexities
Rideshare accidents involve multiple insurance policies, making the claims process more difficult than in a standard car crash. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees, which allows these companies to distance themselves from liability. Insurance coverage depends on whether the rideshare app was on, if a ride was in progress, or if another driver was at fault. Understanding how these policies apply is key to recovering full compensation.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage Phases
Rideshare insurance policies are divided into three coverage periods:
- App Off: If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app, their personal auto insurance applies. Uber or Lyft provides no coverage in this scenario.
- App On, No Passenger: When a driver is waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
- During a Ride: Once a ride request is accepted and until the passenger exits the vehicle, the rideshare company’s full $1 million liability policy is in effect. This coverage includes third-party injuries and property damage.
When the Driver’s Personal Insurance Applies
If the rideshare driver was not using the app at the time of the crash, their personal auto insurance is responsible for covering damages. However, personal policies often exclude coverage for accidents that occur while the driver is using their vehicle for commercial purposes. In these cases, victims may need to pursue compensation through other sources, including their own insurance.
When the Rideshare Company’s Insurance Applies
Uber and Lyft provide additional coverage only when their drivers are actively using the app. If the driver had a passenger or was on the way to pick one up, the company’s $1 million liability policy covers injuries and damages. However, rideshare companies may attempt to deny claims or shift blame to avoid paying out the full amount.
Your Own Insurance Coverage Options
If the rideshare company’s insurance or the driver’s personal policy does not fully cover the damages, other options may be available:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): If another driver caused the crash and lacked sufficient insurance, a UM/UIM policy can help cover medical expenses and lost income.
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): This coverage helps pay medical bills regardless of fault, but it may have coverage limits.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Though not required in Illinois, PIP coverage can help with medical expenses and lost wages after a crash.
Insurance companies often look for ways to reduce or deny claims. When they refuse to pay fair compensation, legal action may be necessary to recover the damages owed.
Determining Liability in Rideshare Crashes
Multiple parties could share responsibility for a rideshare accident, depending on the circumstances.
Multiple Potentially Liable Parties
Liability may fall on the rideshare driver, another motorist, the rideshare company, or even a third party like a pedestrian or bicyclist.
How Driver Status Affects Liability
If the driver was waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide limited coverage. When carrying a passenger, the full liability policy applies.
Chicago’s Comparative Negligence Laws
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which reduces compensation if an injured party is partially at fault.
Building a Strong Claim
Strong evidence builds a compelling claim for compensation.
- Medical Records and Bills: Document every medical expense related to the accident, including hospital visits, rehabilitation, and medications.
- Income Loss Documentation: Pay stubs, tax returns, and employer statements help demonstrate lost earnings.
- Communication with Insurance Companies: Keep copies of emails, letters, and claim correspondence in case disputes arise.
- Rideshare Trip Information and Receipts: Screenshots of ride details, driver information, and payment receipts confirm trip status at the time of the crash.
Victims of rideshare accidents may seek damages through an insurance settlement or lawsuit.
Types of Damages Available in Illinois
Compensation may cover medical costs, lost income, property damage, and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
Illinois law sets a two-year deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. Waiting too long can jeopardize your right to seek compensation.
Settlement vs. Litigation Considerations
Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts. If they refuse to offer fair compensation, taking legal action may be necessary.
Working with a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney
Legal representation helps injury victims handle the legal and insurance process more effectively.
Benefits of Local Legal Representation
A Chicago-based attorney understands city traffic patterns, high-risk accident areas, and state-specific laws affecting your claim.
What to Look for in a Rideshare Accident Attorney
Choose a lawyer with experience handling rideshare claims, strong negotiation skills, and a history of securing favorable results for clients.
Questions to Ask During Initial Consultations
Ask about case strategy, expected timelines, and how legal fees work before hiring an attorney.
Contact an Experienced Rideshare Accident Attorney in Chicago Now
Legal Rideshare Injury Lawyers focuses on representing those injured in Uber and Lyft accidents across Chicago. Our legal team understands the complexities of rideshare cases and fights to ensure clients receive the compensation they deserve. Whether the accident happened in River North, Logan Square, or near O’Hare, we’re ready to help.
Contact Legal Rideshare Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.