Lyft Hit Me as a Pedestrian. What Are My Rights?

Our Chicago lawyers can help you pursue full compensation

Lyft has changed how people get around in Chicago. But with more cars picking up and dropping off passengers on busy city streets, rideshare accidents have increased, and pedestrian safety has become a real concern. If you were walking and a Lyft driver hit you, you’re probably dealing with a lot of medical bills, missed work, and the stress of not knowing what happens next.

The good news is that you have rights. And there may be more than one option to get the compensation you deserve. An experienced Chicago Lyft accident lawyer at Keating Law Offices can explain it during a free consultation. To learn more about your rights and legal options, contact us online or call our Chicago law offices.

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Does Lyft’s insurance cover pedestrian injuries?

Lyft offers insurance coverage to injured pedestrians. If a Lyft driver hits you while you’re walking and they’re actively working, there’s a good chance Lyft’s insurance could apply. But proving which period the driver was in can be tricky. That’s where an experienced Chicago Lyft accident lawyer comes in. Keating Law Offices can look at app activity logs, electronic data, witness statements, dashcam footage, police reports, and other key pieces of evidence that prove what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.

What types of damages can pedestrians get from a Lyft accident lawsuit?

If a Lyft driver hit you, you may be able to recover compensation for all related damages you suffered as a result of the accident, including:

Medical bills, including future treatment
Lost income from missing work
Reduced earning potential if you can’t return to your job
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress or trauma
Loss of enjoyment of daily life
Transportation or home care costs

Insurance companies often don’t play fair when it comes to compensating injured pedestrians. Whether it’s Lyft’s insurance or the driver’s personal policy, adjusters will likely argue against your claim or offer a quick lowball settlement that only covers a fraction of your losses.

Our attorneys will leave no stone unturned when calculating the value of your claim, and we won’t settle for anything less than you deserve.

Can you sue Lyft for an accident?

If you were hit by a Lyft driver, you may be able to sue the company directly, but it depends on the circumstances.

Lyft classifies its drivers as independent contractors in an effort to try and avoid legal responsibility when one of their drivers causes a crash. A case against Lyft directly could be based on if the company:

failed to properly screen the driver
knew the driver had a history of reckless behavior and didn’t remove them
failed to properly train or supervise the driver
used an app design that distracted the driver
had a technical issue with the app or ride system
failed to enforce mandatory rest breaks

Common tactics insurers use to deny or reduce claims

If you’re a pedestrian injured in a Lyft accident, don’t expect their insurance company to play fair. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for ways to pay you as little as possible, even when liability is clear. Here are some tactics they might use:

Delaying the process to pressure you into accepting a quick, low offer
Blaming you for the accident to reduce the payout
Downplaying your injuries, especially if you didn’t seek treatment right away
Arguing your injuries are pre-existing
Offering a settlement that doesn’t cover all your future costs

This is why it’s smart to have a lawyer on your side who knows how to handle these tactics. Once you accept a settlement, you usually can’t go back and ask for more. An attorney can fight for maximum compensation.

Why Lyft pedestrian accident claims are complicated

At first glance, this might seem like a straightforward accident. But cases involving Lyft drivers often involve multiple parties, conflicting insurance policies, and complicated legal questions.

Here’s what makes these cases tougher than usual:

More than one insurer may be involved: These can include the driver’s personal insurance provider, Lyft’s insurance, or even your own auto or health insurance.
Lyft doesn’t always admit coverage: To avoid liability, Lyft may deny the driver’s status at the time of the pedestrian accident.
Evidence can be hard to get: Getting Lyft’s app data to prove the driver was working isn’t an easy process. That’s why you need a Chicago attorney to gather the facts for you.
Insurance companies downplay your injuries: Concussions, nerve damage, and certain other pedestrian injuries aren’t always obvious right away. Be sure to see a doctor right away, even if you feel perfectly fine. Insurance companies often use delayed treatment to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed.

You need someone who can put all the pieces together and fight for the full picture of what you’ve lost. The Chicago attorneys at Keating Law Offices know how Lyft accidents work. We know Illinois law and how it pertains to your case. We can sort everything out for you and fight for the best possible case outcome while you focus on recovery.

Get a free consultation today with our Chicago Lyft accident lawyers

If a Lyft driver hit you while you were walking, don’t try to deal with your claim alone. Lyft pedestrian accidents are rarely straightforward. Our legal team investigates crashes thoroughly to gather and preserve key evidence. Plus, we deal directly with the insurance companies so you don’t have to.

Our goal is to build a strong case to help you pursue every dollar you’re entitled to receive. You can talk to us with no pressure or upfront costs – our consultations are always free. If we do represent you, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if you’re fully compensated.

The sooner you reach out to us, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a strong case. Let our firm stand up to the insurance companies and fight for the justice you need. Contact us online or call our Chicago law offices to schedule a free, confidential consultation.