Living in Schaumburg means you’re familiar with busy intersections, heavy traffic near Woodfield Mall, and the constant flow of cars on Golf Road and Higgins Road. Add to that the large number of Uber and Lyft drivers transporting passengers throughout Schaumburg and nearby suburbs like Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Des Plaines, and it’s no surprise that rideshare-related accidentshave become more common. Being hit by a rideshare driver raises immediate concerns: who pays for your injuries, how insurance applies, and what legal steps you should take. As an attorney with SJ Injury Law, I’ve helped victims in Schaumburg and across Illinois understand their rights after being struck by a rideshare vehicle, and I know how confusing these situations can be.
When a rideshare driver causes an accident, your path to compensation depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Illinois law and rideshare insurance policies create different layers of coverage. If the driver was off duty and not logged into the app, their personal auto insurance applies. If the driver was logged into the app but had not accepted a ride, the rideshare company provides contingent coverage that applies only after the driver’s insurance is exhausted. If the driver had accepted a ride or was transporting a passenger, Uberand Lyftboth provide up to $1 million in liability coverage. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring you don’t get stuck with unpaid medical bills or lost wages.
The most important factor in your claim is whether the driver was actively engaged with the rideshare app at the time of the collision. If the driver was offline, the case is treated like any other car accident, and you’ll pursue compensation through their personal insurer. But if the driver was waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company provides limited liability coverage. The maximum available increases significantly once a ride is in progress. This tiered system often creates disputes between insurance companies, with each side attempting to minimize its responsibility. That’s where experienced representation becomes vital, because it takes legal pressure to ensure insurance companies honor their obligations.
In Schaumburg and the surrounding suburbs, I’ve represented clients who suffered serious injuries after being struck by rideshare drivers. These accidents often occur near busy shopping areas or late at night when rideshare demand is high. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, head trauma, back injuries, and, in the most severe cases, wrongful death. Victims often need emergency treatment, ongoing therapy, and sometimes surgery. The financial burden can quickly grow, especially if you’re unable to return to work right away. Compensation in these cases should account for more than just medical bills—it should also include lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
After being hit by a rideshare driver, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against the responsible parties. In Illinois, that typically means the at-fault driver, but it can also extend to the rideshare company if their insurance applies. Filing a claim requires a thorough investigation into the driver’s app usage, insurance policies, and accident circumstances. At SJ Injury Law, we handle this process for you, gathering evidence, consulting with medical providers, and negotiating directly with insurers. If insurers refuse to make a fair offer, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. My goal is to protect your rights and maximize your recovery, so you can focus on your health and your family.
Call 911 right away so police and emergency responders can arrive at the scene. Make sure to seek medical care even if you don’t feel pain immediately, since injuries often appear later. Get the driver’s contact and insurance information, and confirm whether they were driving for Uber or Lyft at the time. Take photos of the accident, damage, and your injuries if possible. These steps help protect your case.
Your medical bills may be covered by the driver’s personal insurance or the rideshare company’s coverage, depending on whether the driver was logged into the app. Uber and Lyft both provide $1 million in coverage when a passenger is in the vehicle, but less coverage applies if the driver is simply waiting for a ride request. If the driver was off duty, only their personal insurance applies.
Both Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when a ride is in progress. This protection applies if the driver who caused the accident does not have enough insurance to cover your damages. However, if the driver was not logged into the app, you may need to rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Generally, Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct lawsuits against the companies. Instead, claims are usually made against the insurance policies they provide. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to pursue additional claims if the company failed in its duty to provide proper coverage or safety standards.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, prescription costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. In cases of wrongful death, families can pursue claims for funeral costs, lost financial support, and emotional loss. Each case is unique, so the damages vary based on your injuries and circumstances.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death cases, it is also two years from the date of death. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation, so it’s important to act quickly.
While you are not legally required to hire an attorney, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and rideshare cases can be especially complex. Having an attorney ensures the right insurance policies are applied and that your damages are fully accounted for. At SJ Injury Law, we fight to secure maximum compensation while handling the legal stress on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has been hit by a rideshare driver in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, or anywhere in Illinois, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. With more than 50 years of combined experience and millions recovered for clients, SJ Injury Law knows how to hold negligent drivers and powerful insurance companies accountable.
Contact our Schaumburg auto accident attorneyat SJ INJURY LAW by calling (847) 434-3555to receive your free consultation. We serve injury victims in Schaumburg, Chicago, and throughout Illinois. At SJ Injury Law, we charge no upfront fees—you pay nothing unless we win. Let us help you Claim Your Justice®and protect your future.
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