What Happens If I am Hit and Injured By a Rideshare Driver?

 Posted on July 26, 2025 in Car Accident

Car crashes involving rideshare drivers can raise unique legal questions. If you were injured in a car accident and the at-fault driver was working for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service at the time, you may have questions about who is responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. These cases often involve multiple layers of insurance coverage and legal liability that can be confusing without professional guidance.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, our attorneys have many decades of combined experience handling personal injury claims across Illinois. We take pride in helping our clients pursue fair compensation after a serious accident. Below, we have compiled information you may find useful following a car crash with a rideshare driver. One of our experienced Palatine, IL rideshare accident lawyers can offer additional information that is more relevant to your individual case.

How Does Rideshare Insurance Coverage Work in Illinois?

Rideshare drivers are independent contractors, not employees, but the companies they work for carry commercial liability policies that apply under certain conditions. Whether this insurance applies to your case and how much coverage you might recover depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash:

• App Off: If the driver was not logged into the rideshare app, their own personal car insurance is the only coverage available.

• App On, No Passenger Yet: If the driver was waiting for a ride request, companies like Uber and Lyft typically provide limited third-party liability coverage, up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident.

• On the Way to Pick Up/Transporting a Passenger: Once drivers have accepted a ride or have a passenger in the vehicle, the rideshare companies’ commercial policies usually apply.

This coverage can help pay for your injuries even if the rideshare driver has minimal personal insurance.

Who Is Liable for a Crash Caused by a Rideshare Driver?

After any crash, it is crucial to determine who is legally responsible for the damage. In rideshare accidents, liability can fall with the driver, rideshare company, and other drivers or third parties. A driver could be found liable for careless or reckless driving; rideshare app functionality or faulty hiring practices could make the rideshare company responsible; and other drivers can share liability if more than one vehicle was involved.

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, your damages may be reduced if you were partially at fault, but you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50 percent responsible. A lawyer can review the facts of your case and help clarify questions of liability.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Illinois Rideshare Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, you deserve answers and support. At Newland & Newland, LLP, our legal team has secured over 65 million dollars or recovered funds for our clients. We also speak Spanish and are available to help even if you are not fluent in English. Call a skilled Palatine, IL car accident lawyer at 847-797-8000 today to learn how we can help.