What Should I Know About Rideshare Accident Liability? 

 Posted on April 08, 2025 in Car Accidents

Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare companies that complete billions of rides for global customers every year. Rideshare services are generally reliable, but accidents happen. When you are injured in a rideshare accident by another party, you may have questions about liability for the incident.

Our Illinois personal injury attorney at the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. understands how concerned you could be about your medical bills, lost earnings, and other losses after a rideshare crash. Illinois personal injury attorney J. Francis Barker offers free consultations to those who think another party’s negligence has injured them.

Liability May Be Complicated 

You requested your ride through Uber, and the driver crashed and injured you. Therefore, Uber should pay for your injuries, right? Not necessarily. Remember, your rideshare driver is an independent contractor, meaning liability in a crash may be more complicated than conventional auto accidents.

Driver Status Affects Accident Liability Insurance Coverage

Uber and Lyft drivers have different statuses, and their status when the accident happened determines which liability policy applies: 

Not Logged In 

The driver was not logged into the rideshare app when the crash happened. This means that their personal auto insurance may cover your losses. This scenario assumes that the rideshare driver caused the accident.

Standby

The driver was standing by, meaning they were logged into the app but had an accident while waiting for a fare. The rideshare company’s liability may cover the costs, but the driver’s personal insurance may also be involved.

On the Way to Pickup

The driver was en route to pick up a fare when the crash happened. Uber and Lyft have $1 million in liability coverage for crashes when the rideshare driver has accepted a fare and is en route to pick them up.

Driving a Passenger 

The driver had a passenger in the car when the crash happened, so the rideshare company’s $1 million policy should cover injuries and damages.

Will Uber or Lyft Pay for My Injuries?

Which insurance policy pays for your damages depends on which status applies to your case. Suppose the Uber driver was driving to pick up a fare when they hit your vehicle at a red light. The rideshare company’s $50,000 liability policy would most likely apply to your injuries.

Or, the rideshare driver was taking you to your destination when they T-boned another vehicle. The $1 million liability policy would likely pay for your losses.

Uber and Lyft accidents usually involve more complicated liability questions that are difficult to understand without an experienced personal injury attorney analyzing your case. Without an attorney, you must investigate the accident and determine which liability policy applies. Then, you need to negotiate a fair settlement for your losses. When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, this work is done for you.

Call Our Skilled Orland Park, IL Personal Injury Attorney Today 

When you are hurt because of someone else’s negligence in an Uber or Lyft accident, our skilled Cook County, IL personal injury lawyer can help. Attorney Barker will determine which policy is likely liable and demand the most compensation for your injuries. Contact the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. or call us at 708-321-1223 to talk about your case for free. You may be entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages after a rideshare accident.