No rideshare driver wants to experience an accident, but their actions immediately following one are critical. Don't remain idle and uncertain about what to do next. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to protect yourself after a rideshare accident.
And if you’re stuck or want professional assistance, reach out a rideshare driver accident lawyer, at LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers, call at (312) 767-7950 for clear advice and real answers for your unique situation.
What You Need to Do After the Accident Once You’re Back Home

The real work starts after the dust settles and you’re back home. How you handle things in the hours and days after a rideshare accident can make or break your claim. Here’s how to set yourself up for the best outcome:
Get Medical Treatment
Even if you walked away from the scene feeling fine, see a doctor right away. Injuries from crashes can take hours or days to show up. Medical records are your best proof that your injuries came from the accident, not something else. Follow all treatment plans and keep copies of every report and bill.
Stay Off Social Media
Don’t post about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery on Facebook, Instagram, or anywhere else. Insurance companies and opposing lawyers search for anything they can twist against you. Even a casual comment or photo can come back to bite you.
Be Careful What You Say
Don’t admit fault, and don’t discuss details of the accident with anyone except your lawyer or your doctor. This goes for phone calls, texts, emails, and especially anything in writing. You might feel tempted to explain yourself to the other driver, your passengers, or even friends. Keep it factual and minimal.
Handle Insurance Adjusters With Caution
Insurance companies aren’t your friends. If an adjuster calls, be polite but don’t give a recorded statement or accept any settlement without talking to a lawyer first. They want to close your claim for as little as possible. You’re not required to answer every question or share every detail.
Talk to a Lawyer Sooner, Not Later
A rideshare accident lawyer knows exactly where drivers go wrong after a crash. Get a professional on your side early. They’ll deal with the rideshare company, insurance headaches, and make sure your claim is set up right from the start. This keeps you from making mistakes that could cost you real money.
Understanding Insurance Coverage When You Get in an Accident Driving for Uber or Lyft

Beyond immediate actions, there are a few things to make sure you understand so that you can protect yourself. Insurance with rideshares isn't as straightforward as your personal policy. It changes based on your "period" or status within the app at the precise moment of the accident. Getting this part wrong means a denied claim, leaving you holding the bag for significant expenses.
The Different "Periods" of Driving and How They Affect Coverage
Identifying the period you were in determines who pays for what.
- App Off (Period 0): If your rideshare app was completely off, meaning you were not logged in or available to accept rides, then your personal auto insurance policy is the one that applies. Uber and Lyft do not provide any insurance coverage during this period. You're essentially driving for personal reasons at this point.
- App On, Waiting for a Request (Period 1): You're online, logged into the app, and available to accept ride requests, but you haven't accepted one yet. During this time, Uber and Lyft typically provide limited third-party liability coverage if your personal auto insurance doesn't cover you (which it often won't due to business use exclusions). This coverage often includes state-minimum amounts; for instance, in Illinois, this is $50,000 for bodily injury per person, up to a total of $100,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- En Route to Pick Up a Passenger (Period 2): You've accepted a ride request and are on your way to the passenger's pickup location. During Period 2, coverage limits usually increase significantly. Both Uber and Lyft generally provide at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage from this point onward while engaged in a ride.
- Passenger in Vehicle (Period 3): You have picked up the passenger and are transporting them to their destination. This period typically carries the highest coverage, generally including $1 million in third-party liability coverage, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage, and often contingent collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle (if you have it on your personal policy).
Uber/Lyft's Insurance Policy Details
The insurance policies provided by Uber and Lyft are designed to fill gaps left by personal auto insurance, which usually excludes driving for hire.
- Liability Coverage: This is the coverage that pays for injuries to other people (like your passengers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians) or damage to their property if you are found to be at fault for the accident. As noted, this is typically $1 million when you are in Period 2 or Period 3.
- Contingent Collision and Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage helps pay to repair or replace your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault (collision), or by other causes like theft or vandalism (comprehensive). It's "contingent" because it generally only applies if you already have collision and comprehensive coverage on your personal auto insurance policy. Be aware that there is usually a deductible; for example, Uber's deductible is typically $2,500 (though this is $1,000 if your vehicle is rented through their Vehicle Marketplace). Lyft's deductible is similar.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: This is an important protection. It covers your bodily injuries (and sometimes your passengers') if the driver who caused the accident doesn't have any insurance (uninsured) or doesn't have enough insurance to cover all your damages (underinsured). This typically applies during Periods 2 and 3.
Your Personal Auto Insurance
Most standard personal auto insurance policies contain a "commercial use exclusion" or "livery exclusion." This means they will not provide coverage if you are logged into a rideshare app and available for rides, let alone actively transporting a passenger for a fee. Some insurance companies offer specific rideshare endorsements or hybrid policies that bridge this gap, but you must have proactively purchased this. If you haven't, relying on your personal policy while ridesharing is a recipe for disaster. Check your policy documents or speak with your insurance agent to clarify your coverage. When you get in an accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, the last thing you want is a surprise denial from your personal insurer.
What if the Other Driver is At Fault?
If another driver clearly caused the accident, their auto insurance policy should be the primary source of coverage for your damages and injuries. You would file a claim against their insurance. However, if that at-fault driver is uninsured or carries insufficient insurance to cover your losses, then the Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage provided by Uber or Lyft comes into play, provided you were in Period 2 or Period 3 at the time of the crash. This is why gathering the other driver's information is so important.
Key Legal Considerations to Know if You Get in an Accident While Driving for Uber or Lyft
Understanding Liability
Determining who is legally at fault (liable) for the accident is a cornerstone of any claim. In rideshare accidents, liability is sometimes complex. It might clearly be the other driver, it could be you, or there is shared fault. Factors such as distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, or even external factors like poor road conditions or a vehicle malfunction contribute. An investigation will look at police reports, witness statements, vehicle damage, and sometimes even app data to piece together how the accident occurred.
Illinois Laws and Statutes
Illinois has specific laws governing Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. These laws dictate minimum insurance requirements that these companies (or their drivers) must maintain.
- The Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act (625 ILCS 57/1, et seq.) sets forth these requirements. It's designed to protect drivers, passengers, and the public.
- For Period 1 (app on, waiting for a request), when the TNC driver is logged into the TNC's digital network but has not yet accepted a ride request, the law requires primary automobile liability insurance coverage of at least $50,000 for death and personal injury per person, $100,000 total for death and personal injury per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage is maintained by the driver, the TNC, or a combination.
- For Periods 2 and 3 (en route to pick up or during a prearranged ride), the TNC's insurance or the driver's commercial insurance (or a combination) must provide primary automobile liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage. This policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage with limits of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury.
- A significant point in Illinois law is that during a prearranged ride (Periods 2 and 3), the TNC's insurance policy is primary. This means it provides coverage from the first dollar of a claim and is not supposed to be contingent on a personal automobile insurance policy first denying a claim. If a driver's own TNC-compliant insurance lapses or is insufficient, the TNC must provide the required coverage.
FAQ About What Should You Do If You Get in an Accident While Driving for Uber or Lyft
Q1: What if a passenger claims injury even if the accident was minor?
A: Always report any claimed injuries to both the police (if they are on scene) and the rideshare company, regardless of how minor the accident seems to you. Your perception of the accident's severity doesn't negate a passenger's right to claim an injury. Document everything thoroughly, including your own observations, and let the insurance companies and, if necessary, medical professionals determine the validity and extent of any injury claims. Avoid arguing with the passenger; simply collect their information and report it.
Q2: Will my Uber/Lyft driver rating be affected if I report an accident?
A: Uber and Lyft do not explicitly state how accidents directly affect driver ratings in their public-facing materials. Their primary concern after an accident is ensuring safety protocols are followed and that the incident is properly documented for insurance purposes. Reporting an accident is mandatory. While repeated accidents or unsafe driving behavior leads to deactivation, a single reported accident, especially if you're not at fault, is less likely to have a direct, punitive impact on your rating in isolation from other factors. Focus on following the correct procedures for safety and reporting.
Q3: What if the accident happens in a state with different rideshare laws than Illinois?
A: The specific laws of the state where the accident occurred will generally apply to most aspects of the accident, including minimum insurance coverage requirements for TNCs and traffic laws. While Uber and Lyft maintain certain corporate-wide insurance standards (like the $1 million liability coverage during Periods 2 and 3), state laws influence how these policies are applied or add specific local requirements. If your accident occurs out-of-state, the insurance and legal landscape differs from what you're used to in Illinois. It's advisable to be aware that laws change at the state line.
Q4: Can I still drive for Uber/Lyft while my claim is being processed?
A: This depends on several factors. Firstly, if your car is damaged and unsafe to drive or no longer meets Uber/Lyft's vehicle requirements (e.g., extensive body damage, safety features compromised), you will not be able to drive it for rideshare purposes until it's repaired. Secondly, Uber or Lyft sometimes temporarily deactivates your account pending an investigation into the accident, particularly if it was serious or if there are questions about safety or liability. If your vehicle is fine and your account remains active, you may be able to continue driving, but clarify this with the rideshare company.
Protect Yourself After a Rideshare Accident
Insurance companies are looking for ways to pay less, not more. Don’t make their job easier. If adjusters start calling, or if you’re unsure about anything, get legal help on your side right away.
If you want real answers and real protection, call Chicago rideshare accident law firm at (312) 767-7950. Handle the claim the right way so you can get back on the road with confidence.