Chicago Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Over $250 Million Recovered. Attorneys Who Work Your Case Directly.
Riding in an Uber or Lyft puts you entirely at someone else’s mercy. When a crash happens, you’re left dealing with injuries, insurance questions, and a process you didn’t ask for. At Driscoll Law Group, attorneys Sean and Courtney Driscoll work directly with rideshare accident clients throughout Chicago and Illinois, backed by over $250 million in total recoveries across the firm’s personal injury practice. You won’t be handed off to a case manager.
Chicago’s rideshare traffic is heavy, particularly near O’Hare International Airport and the downtown Loop, where high passenger volume and congested streets create conditions for collisions. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or a motorist hit by a rideshare driver, we can help you understand your options. Free initial consultations are available, and we offer Spanish-speaking services.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact our firm online or call us at (312) 626-3008 to schedule a consultation with one of our Chicago rideshare accident attorneys.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident
A rideshare crash can be disorienting and traumatic. Staying as calm as possible and taking the right steps in the aftermath helps protect your rights and strengthens your claim.
Consider the following actions after a crash involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle:
- Report the Accident: If you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, report the crash directly to the rideshare company. Even though the driver will also notify the company, filing your own report reinforces the record.
- Get Medical Attention: See a doctor promptly, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, and a prompt evaluation creates the documentation your claim can depend on.
- Collect Evidence: If you’re able, gather evidence at the scene. Photograph the vehicles, get names and contact information from witnesses, and record the rideshare driver’s name, phone number, insurance details, and license plate number.
- Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney: Reach out to an attorney soon after the crash. The sooner you have legal guidance, the better positioned you’ll be when the insurance process begins.
In the days that follow, keep a detailed record of everything related to your injuries and property damage: expenses, missed workdays, doctor visits, and any communications with insurers. Organized documentation strengthens your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Illinois?
Strict deadlines apply to rideshare accident claims throughout Illinois. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those involving rideshare companies, is generally two years from the accident date. Miss that window and you may lose the right to seek compensation entirely, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
Certain circumstances can shorten that window further. Accidents involving a government vehicle may require notice within months, not years. Injured minors and individuals who were incapacitated at the time of the crash may qualify for deadline extensions under Illinois law. When you’re managing medical recovery and complex insurance negotiations at the same time, tracking these deadlines can be difficult. Our attorneys can keep your case on track and take prompt action that complies with all legal requirements.
Compensation After a Rideshare Accident
If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be facing steep medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain. A rideshare accident claim can help you recover both economic and non-economic damages. You may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
Key factors that affect your settlement’s value include:
- The full cost of your medical care, including emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future treatment needs
- Income lost as a result of the crash
- Whether you can return to the same job or field of work
- The extent of pain and suffering caused by your injuries
After a crash, the rideshare insurer may offer a quick settlement. These offers often arrive before your full medical picture is clear, which is exactly when accepting one is most costly. Before signing anything, speak with an attorney who can evaluate the offer against your documented and anticipated losses and, when necessary, pursue the claim through litigation.
Choose a Firm That Gets Results
A Proven History Of Success
-
$3,100,000 Auto Accident
Car accident settlement involving a commercial vehicle.
-
$1,450,000 Auto Accident
A 58-year-old male suffered multiple injuries when his vehicle was struck.
-
$725,000 Auto Accident
Settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury.
Who Is Liable for a Chicago Rideshare Accident?
Liability in an Uber or Lyft crash isn’t always straightforward. The answer turns on what the driver was doing at the moment of the collision, which determines which insurance policy applies. Illinois governs this through the Transportation Network Providers Act (625 ILCS 57), which establishes three coverage periods tied directly to the driver’s app status.
How the ITNPA Coverage Periods Work
Understanding which period applies is the first step in knowing where to direct a claim:
- Period 0 (App Off): The driver’s personal auto policy is the only coverage available. No rideshare company insurance applies.
- Period 1 (App On, No Accepted Ride): The rideshare company provides contingent liability coverage of up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage applies only if the driver’s personal insurer denies the claim, which commonly happens because most personal auto policies contain a commercial-use exclusion that activates when the driver is logged into a rideshare platform.
- Periods 2 & 3 (En Route to Pickup or Transporting a Passenger): The rideshare company must provide primary liability coverage of at least $1,000,000. This is the coverage most passengers injured during a trip will encounter.
These figures represent the statutory minimums under Illinois law. Actual coverage in any given claim depends on the driver’s app status and the specific facts of the case. Our attorneys can identify the applicable coverage period, determine which insurers are in play, and advocate for compensation across available sources.
Third-Party Drivers and Independent Contractor Status
Not every rideshare crash is caused by the rideshare driver. If a third-party motorist caused the collision, that driver’s liability policy is typically the primary source of recovery. When the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber and Lyft provide additional UM/UIM coverage under certain conditions. Uber and Lyft also classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which shapes how vicarious liability arguments are framed. The ITNPA imposes a direct statutory insurance obligation on rideshare companies regardless of that classification. The contractor status doesn’t eliminate coverage, but it does affect the litigation approach.
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare passengers sit in the back seat, often without bracing for impact, which makes certain injury patterns especially common. Some injuries are apparent immediately. Others don’t surface until hours or days after the crash.
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Sudden stops or side impacts stretch and strain muscles and ligaments in the neck and back. Symptoms are often delayed, which is one reason prompt medical evaluation matters even when you feel fine at the scene.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can occur without direct head contact. Dizziness, headaches, and memory problems following a crash all warrant immediate evaluation.
- Broken Bones: Arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones are vulnerable in high-impact collisions. Fractures may require surgery and extended recovery.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Back and neck trauma can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, or paralysis. These injuries often aren’t fully apparent without imaging.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from a seatbelt or the vehicle interior can cause internal bleeding and organ damage that isn’t visible from the outside but can be life-threatening.
Injuries that seem minor right after a crash can develop into conditions requiring months or years of treatment. A physician’s evaluation creates the documentation that connects your injuries to the accident. It is a foundation a future claim can depend on.
Get a Free Consultation from Our Chicago Rideshare Accident Attorneys
When your case involves a rideshare company’s insurance team, you need attorneys who work your case directly and know how these claims are built. Sean P. Driscoll has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year from 2017 through 2026. Courtney M. Driscoll has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year from 2019 through 2026. Together, they lead every client’s case at Driscoll Law Group. It is a family-operated firm that has recovered over $250 million in total settlements and verdicts across its personal injury practice. Free initial consultations are available, and we offer Spanish-speaking services.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact our firm online or call us at (312) 626-3008 to schedule a consultation with one of our Chicago rideshare accident attorneys.
Reviews & Testimonials
Our Firm Puts You First
-
"I was extremely fortunate to have them representing me."
I was very pleased by the dedication of the Driscoll Law Group in my case. Sean, Courtney, and Laurence Van Der Horst were extremely professional from the very beginning of my case.
- Karen G. -
"Compassionate, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable."
I’m incredibly grateful for his hard work and the professionalism of the entire Driscoll Law team. If you need an attorney who genuinely cares and delivers results, this is the firm to call.
- Dwayne P. -
"I was very happy with his dedication to me and am very pleased with the result."
My family and I were provided security for our future as a result of Sean’s hard work.
- John R. -
"Sean put tremendous efforts into our personal injury case."
Sean’s knowledge of the Law and procedure was extremely impressive. The way he handled our case throughout the process assured us at all times that he always cared for our wellbeing and best interests.
- Robert E. -
"His confidence and experience were desperately needed in the midst of the most difficult experience of our lives."
I have no doubt that his skill as a trial lawyer during the two week trial allowed me and my family to be awarded fair compensation that will last for the rest of our lives.
- Blaine W. -
"Highly recommend."
If I even need help again in his area of expertise I am 100% giving him a call.
- Nicholas R. -
"He will fight tooth and nail for you and your family to get the compensation that you deserve."
Sean Driscoll is a bull when it comes to getting the justice his clients deserve. He will fight tooth and nail for you and your family to get the compensation that you deserve.
- Tom S. -
"Communication was frequent and transparent."
As my lawsuit ended Mr. Driscoll was very helpful and informative in leading me in the right direction that was best for my future.
- David J.
The Right Firm Makes a Difference
Why Clients Choose Driscoll Law Group
-
24/7 Help AvailableWhenever you need our lawyers, we're here to help you.
-
Providing Service in SpanishLegal support provided by a Spanish-speaking team.
-
Hundreds of Millions Recovered for Injured VictimsWork with a law firm that has a history of success.
-
We Provide Free ConsultationsLearn how our injury lawyers can help during a free consult.
-
Personalized Service and AttentionOur clients work directly with their attorney.
-
A Boutique Firm With Big ResultsWe've recovered over $250 million on behalf of our clients.