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Springfield Lyft Accident Lawyer
Getting hurt in a Lyft accident in the Springfield neighborhood or anywhere else in Chicago is a stressful, confusing experience. You are dealing with pain, medical bills, and a rideshare company that has teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters working to protect its bottom line. You need someone in your corner. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we fight for injured passengers, drivers, and bystanders who have been hurt in Lyft crashes across Chicago and the surrounding communities. If you have questions about your rights, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Chicago abogado de lesiones personales.
Table of Contents
- Why Lyft Accidents in Chicago Are More Common Than You Think
- Illinois Law and Your Rights After a Lyft Crash
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Lyft Accident Injuries?
- What to Do Right After a Lyft Accident in Chicago
- What Damages Can You Recover After a Lyft Accident?
- FAQs About Springfield Lyft Accident Lawyers in Chicago
Why Lyft Accidents in Chicago Are More Common Than You Think
Chicago is one of the busiest rideshare cities in the entire country. From the Loop and Wicker Park to Springfield Avenue on the West Side, Lyft vehicles are everywhere. According to official Chicago government data, rideshare trips average 249,201 per day in the city, with the city’s central business district and Midway and O’Hare airports among the most common starting points for rides. That is an enormous volume of rideshare traffic, and with that volume comes real risk.
Research out of the University of Illinois Chicago tells a sobering story. One-third of rideshare drivers surveyed in a study reported being involved in a crash while working, with cellphone use, driving while tired, and driving on unfamiliar roads increasing the likelihood of a crash. Think about what that means the next time you hop into a Lyft near the United Center or catch a ride home from a restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue. Your driver may be fatigued, distracted, or navigating streets they barely know.
Lyft drivers frequently work long hours to maximize their income, leading to fatigue. Fatigued driving is a serious problem, as tired drivers may have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of a crash. On top of that, many rideshare drivers feel pressure to complete rides quickly, especially during peak hours or when working toward incentives. This can lead to reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, or making unsafe lane changes.
Busy corridors like I-290, I-90/94, and Lake Shore Drive see heavy rideshare traffic daily. When a Lyft driver makes a careless mistake on any of these roads, innocent people pay the price. If you were hurt in one of these crashes, a Abogado accidente Lyft who knows Illinois law can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Illinois Law and Your Rights After a Lyft Crash
Illinois has specific laws that govern rideshare companies and their drivers. Understanding those laws is the first step toward protecting your rights. The Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act went into effect in 2015 to set statewide basic requirements for ridesharing companies and drivers in terms of insurance, safety standards, driver qualifications, and more. The act applies to Transportation Network Companies (TNC) like Uber and Lyft, which are companies that use a digital platform to connect passengers with ride services provided by TNC drivers who use their own vehicles.
One of the most important things to understand is how Lyft’s insurance coverage works. The coverage requirements are tiered, changing based on the driver’s status. When a driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride request yet, lower levels of liability coverage are typically required. During a prearranged ride, from the moment a driver accepts a ride request until the passenger exits the vehicle, many states require a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage, though requirements vary significantly by state.
Illinois law also addresses what happens when another driver causes your crash. The Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act requires TNCs to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. As a passenger, you can make a claim under this portion of the rideshare company’s policy if the at-fault third-party driver cannot cover your losses.
Illinois also follows modified comparative fault rules under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Under this law, defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages. This matters in Lyft accident cases because multiple parties, including the driver, Lyft, and even a third-party driver, may all share responsibility for your injuries.
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, any driver involved in a crash that causes personal injury must stop immediately and remain at the scene. Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a Class 4 felony in Illinois. If your Lyft driver fled the scene after a crash, that is a serious violation of state law and strengthens your case significantly.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Lyft Accident Injuries?
One of the most common questions we hear from injured clients is, “Who do I sue?” In a Lyft accident, the answer is often more than one party. Liability in rideshare cases can be layered and complicated, which is exactly why you need a skilled legal team on your side.
The Lyft driver is often the most obvious responsible party. If the driver was speeding, distracted by the app, or simply not paying attention, they can be held personally liable for your injuries. Distracted driving is a leading cause of rideshare accidents. Rideshare drivers are often distracted by their phones, as they rely on apps to receive ride requests, navigate routes, and communicate with passengers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in the U.S., and the nature of rideshare driving increases the likelihood of distractions.
Lyft itself may also bear responsibility. Before allowing someone to become a rideshare driver on their digital platform, the TNC or ridesharing company must review a driver history report and conduct a criminal background check that includes the National Sex Offenders Registry database. These checks can also be done by a third party. Everyone who applies to be a rideshare driver in Illinois must provide certain personal information for the background check process. If Lyft failed to properly vet a driver and that driver had a history of reckless driving, Lyft may face liability for negligent hiring.
Third-party drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and even government entities responsible for road maintenance can also be at fault. Think of a poorly maintained stretch of road near Garfield Park or a broken traffic signal on Pulaski Road. Any of these factors could contribute to a crash. Our team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg investigates every angle of your case to identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Reach out to our Chicago Lyft accident lawyers to get started.
What to Do Right After a Lyft Accident in Chicago
The moments right after a Lyft crash can feel chaotic. Your adrenaline is pumping, you may be in pain, and you are probably not sure what to do next. Taking the right steps early on can make a significant difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim.
First, call 911 immediately. Get police and medical help on the scene. A police report creates an official record of the crash, which is essential evidence in your case. Even if you feel okay, accept medical attention. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage often do not show symptoms right away. Delaying medical care can hurt both your health and your legal claim.
Take photos and videos of the crash scene, the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area. If you are near a recognizable Chicago landmark, like the Kedzie CTA station or a business on Chicago Avenue, document that too. It helps establish exactly where the crash occurred.
Get the Lyft driver’s name, license plate number, and insurance information. Screenshot your Lyft app trip details before closing the app. This preserves critical digital evidence showing the driver was on an active trip at the time of the crash.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can minimize or deny your claim. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg before you speak with anyone from Lyft’s insurance team. For more safety tips, visit our guide on how to protect yourself as a rideshare passenger, written by our Lyft accident attorney team.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Lyft Accident?
If you were injured in a Lyft accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, Illinois law allows you to seek compensation for a wide range of losses. The goal is to make you as whole as possible after a crash that was not your fault.
Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. These include past and future medical expenses, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications. If you were treated at Rush University Medical Center or Northwestern Memorial Hospital after a crash, those bills are recoverable. Lost wages are also covered if your injuries kept you from working. If your injuries are severe enough to affect your ability to earn in the future, you can claim lost earning capacity as well.
Non-economic damages cover the personal toll the crash has taken on your life. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all recoverable under Illinois law. These damages can be substantial, especially in cases involving serious injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries.
In cases where a loved one was killed in a Lyft accident, the family may have a wrongful death claim under 740 ILCS 180, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. This law allows surviving family members to recover damages for the loss of their loved one’s financial support, companionship, and guidance.
Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 also means that if Lyft or its driver is found to be 25% or more at fault for your injuries, they can be held jointly and severally liable for all of your damages, not just a portion. This is a powerful legal tool that our Chicago abogado accidente coche team uses to fight for full compensation for our clients. Do not settle for less than you deserve. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today and let us evaluate your case at no cost to you.
FAQs About Springfield Lyft Accident Lawyers in Chicago
How long do I have to file a Lyft accident lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue. Do not wait. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your crash so we can preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Does Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy automatically cover me as a passenger?
Lyft’s $1 million liability policy applies when a driver has accepted a ride and a passenger is in the vehicle. However, actually recovering that money is rarely automatic. Lyft and its insurers often dispute claims, challenge fault, and try to minimize payouts. Having an attorney handle your claim significantly improves your chances of receiving full compensation.
What if the Lyft driver was not at fault, but another driver caused the crash?
You still have options. If a third-party driver caused the crash and does not have enough insurance to cover your losses, you can make a claim under Lyft’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which Illinois law requires Lyft to carry. Our team will identify every available source of compensation and pursue all of them on your behalf.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, in many cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. An attorney can help argue for the lowest possible fault allocation on your behalf.
How much does it cost to hire Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a Lyft accident case?
We handle Lyft accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your first consultation is free. There is no financial risk to calling us and learning about your rights after a Lyft crash in Chicago.
More Resources About Vehicle Injuries
- Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Springfield
- Springfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Car Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Truck Accident Attorney
- Springfield Uber Accident Lawyer
- Springfield Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
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