Can I sue Lyft after an injury accident?

Getting injured in a Lyft accident is a double dose of bad luck—first the accident, then the headache of figuring out who’s actually responsible. Here’s the short answer: in many cases, injured passengers have legal options to pursue compensation. Whether that means dealing with Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy or holding a reckless driver accountable depends on the details. But yes, you may have a case.

At TopDog Law, our network of rideshare lawyers works with injured riders across the country. If a Lyft accident hurt you, call (888) 778-1197 today. A local attorney will review your situation and help you take the next steps toward getting compensated for your injuries.

Can I sue Lyft after an accident?

• Yes, you may have a claim depending on whether the Lyft driver was at fault and if they were logged into the app during the crash.
• Lyft provides up to $1 million in coverage when a ride is in progress, but accessing it can involve complex legal steps.
• You might sue Lyft directly for negligent hiring or failure to remove dangerous drivers with known complaints.
• Gathering evidence, reporting the crash, and consulting an experienced attorney early boosts your chances of fair compensation.

Understanding Lyft’s Insurance Coverage

Lyft isn’t in the business of making things simple. Their app promises a smooth ride, but when something goes sideways—like an accident—you’re stuck trying to figure out whose insurance foots the bill. The answer depends on exactly what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. 

Lyft drivers aren’t employees. They’re independent contractors, which is an important distinction. It’s what Lyft leans on to shield themselves from direct responsibility in many lawsuits. That said, they still provide varying levels of insurance coverage depending on whether the driver was “off duty,” waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger. Here’s how it breaks down.

When the Driver Is Logged Out of the App

If the driver isn’t using the Lyft app at the time of the crash, Lyft’s insurance isn’t on the table at all. It’s a non-starter. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy is responsible for covering damages. Whether that policy has enough coverage—or any at all—is another question entirely.

When the Driver Is Logged In and Waiting for a Ride

Once a Lyft driver logs into the app and is waiting for a passenger request, Lyft provides what’s called contingent liability coverage. Think of this as an “if all else fails” safety net. If the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t cover the accident, Lyft steps in with:

• Up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury
• Up to $100,000 total per accident
• Up to $25,000 for property damage

These numbers might sound decent at first glance. But if you’ve racked up tens of thousands in medical bills, lost wages, or worse, this coverage starts looking pretty thin. And that’s assuming Lyft doesn’t dispute their responsibility in the first place.

When the Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Has a Passenger Onboard

This is where Lyft’s $1 million liability policy kicks in. If the driver has accepted a ride request and is en route to pick someone up—or already has a passenger in the car—Lyft offers significantly higher coverage. This policy can cover injuries to passengers, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

In addition to liability coverage, Lyft includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) in some states. This protects you if another driver causes the accident and doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries. Some states, like California and Illinois, require rideshare companies to provide this coverage under their Public Utilities Code Sections 5433 and 5444, and 625 ILCS 57/1 et seq., respectively. But the specifics vary, and it’s not automatic everywhere.

Where Things Get Murky

Even with these insurance policies in place, getting compensation isn’t always a straight line. Insurers—whether it’s Lyft’s or the driver’s personal carrier—tend to look for ways to minimize payouts. That’s their job. And they’re good at it.

You’ll need to prove:

• The Lyft driver was at fault (or partially at fault)
• The extent of your injuries and losses
• That the policy in question applies to your situation

And if the driver was logged in but not actively driving for Lyft when the accident happened? Expect both Lyft’s insurance company and the driver’s personal insurer to argue about who should cover what. Meanwhile, you’re stuck in the middle.

When Can You Sue Lyft Directly?

Lyft has designed its business model to keep itself at arm’s length from liability. But there are situations where Lyft, not just the driver, becomes a target in a lawsuit.

Negligent Hiring Practices

If Lyft hired someone they had no business putting behind the wheel, that’s where things start to shift. Negligent hiring comes into play when a company fails to properly screen employees or contractors before giving them a job. For example, if Lyft allowed a driver with a history of DUIs, assault charges, or other serious offenses to drive for them, you may have a case against Lyft itself.

Courts have held companies responsible in similar situations, even when the workers were labeled as independent contractors. The legal theory is simple: if the company had reason to know the person was dangerous but hired them anyway, the company shares responsibility for the harm they cause. Pennsylvania courts, for instance, recognize negligent hiring and retention claims under common law principles, and Restatement (Second) of Agency § 213 outlines employer liability for failure to exercise reasonable care in employing independent contractors.

In some states, companies must follow specific background check regulations before putting drivers on the road. For example:

• California Public Utilities Code § 5445.2 requires rideshare companies to conduct a local and national criminal background check before allowing drivers on the platform.
• Illinois Transportation Network Providers Act (625 ILCS 57/20) mandates similar background checks, including driving history reports.

If Lyft skipped or mishandled these checks, and the driver went on to cause harm, the legal groundwork for a lawsuit exists.

Inadequate Safety Measures

Negligent hiring is one piece of the puzzle. Failing to act when safety concerns surface is another. Lyft has a responsibility to monitor its drivers’ behavior and take action when necessary. If passengers file repeated complaints about reckless driving or harassment, Lyft is supposed to investigate and, if appropriate, deactivate the driver’s account.

But when they ignore warnings and let a dangerous driver keep working, they expose themselves to liability. This is where negligent supervision and retention claims enter the picture. Courts in New York, for example, have allowed these claims when companies continued to employ individuals despite clear evidence they posed a risk to others (see Sheila C. v. Povich, 11 A.D.3d 120, 781 N.Y.S.2d 342 (1st Dep’t 2004)).

A lawsuit against Lyft might focus on the fact that they had reports about a driver but failed to act, resulting in your injury. In cases like these, attorneys typically subpoena internal records, complaint logs, and safety reports to prove Lyft’s negligence.

Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident

The moments after a car accident are a blur. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or in another vehicle, the chaos hits fast. Once the dust settles, there’s a brief window to take steps that protect your health—and your case.

Prioritize Health

People love to say they “feel fine” after a crash. Adrenaline does a great job of masking injuries, but it doesn’t heal them. Some of the worst injuries—traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, spinal damage—don’t scream for attention right away. If paramedics arrive, let them check you out. If they recommend a trip to the ER, take the ride. In New York, for example, No-Fault Insurance Law (Article 51 of the New York Insurance Law) requires prompt medical attention to qualify for benefits. Delay treatment, and you risk losing access to coverage.

Even if you walk away from the accident scene, visit a doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Medical records from that first visit can prove the accident caused your injuries. Without them, insurance companies and defense lawyers will argue something else hurt you later.

Document Everything

Memories fade. Evidence disappears. That’s why you gather what you can, while you can. Start with the basics:

• Driver information: Name, phone number, driver’s license, license plate, and insurance details. If the Lyft driver doesn’t want to cooperate, snap photos discreetly.
• App screenshots: If you were a passenger, take screenshots of your ride details—driver info, pick-up and drop-off times, trip confirmation. Lyft’s in-app data logs often become part of legal discovery, but having your own record helps.
• Photos and video: Capture damage to the vehicles, the surrounding area, road signs, skid marks, traffic signals. Photograph injuries if they’re visible.
• Witnesses: Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened. Independent witness accounts hold weight in personal injury claims.

Report the Incident

Lyft has its own reporting process. Open the app, go to the trip in question, and report the accident. Document what you submitted and when you submitted it. Lyft’s insurance coverage doesn’t trigger automatically—they need a formal report before anything moves forward.

But don’t stop there. File a police report. Many states require this, especially if there’s injury or property damage. In Illinois, under 625 ILCS 5/11-406, drivers must report accidents involving injury or death immediately to law enforcement. Without a police report, some insurers will treat the claim as suspect.

Consult a Legal Professional

Rideshare accident claims usually involve three different insurance companies: the driver’s, Lyft’s, and any third-party drivers involved. Each one has a team working to limit their payout.

A personal injury attorney who handles rideshare and car accidents cases knows how to deal with these insurers. They’ll send letters of representation, preserve evidence (such as Lyft’s internal driver data), and calculate your true damages based on medical records, wage losses, and future care needs.

Potential Compensation

The value of a personal injury claim depends on facts: how badly you were hurt, how those injuries affect your life, and what your recovery looks like in the long term. Fighting the insurance company after a TBI or other serious injury often means proving every loss in detail.

Economic Damages

These are the costs you can add up on paper. Economic damages cover what you’ve paid—or will pay—because of the accident.

• Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, ambulance rides, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical care. For severe injuries, long-term care might mean in-home nursing or adaptive medical equipment. In states like California, Civil Code § 3281 allows injured parties to claim compensation for both past and future medical costs directly related to the accident.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries kept you from working, you can claim those lost earnings. This isn’t just about paychecks you missed while recovering. If the injury limits your ability to return to your old job—or work at all—you may be entitled to loss of earning capacity. 
• Property Damage: If you were driving your own car when a Lyft driver hit you, repairs or replacement costs fall into this category. So do personal items damaged in the crash—like your phone, glasses, or laptop.

Non-Economic Damages

These are harder to quantify but just as real. Non-economic damages recognize how an injury changes your life in ways a bill can’t measure.

• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the accident. Chronic pain, surgeries, limitations on mobility—all of it falls under this category.
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD—these conditions can emerge after traumatic events like a serious crash.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When an injury prevents you from doing things you loved—whether that’s playing sports, traveling, or even something as basic as walking without pain—this falls under loss of enjoyment.
• Loss of Consortium: In severe cases, injuries impact relationships with spouses or family members. This can include loss of companionship, affection, or even sexual relations. 

Don’t Let Lyft Leave You Holding the Bag

Getting hurt in a rideshare accident is bad enough. Getting stuck with the bill makes it worse. If a Lyft driver’s mistake wrecked your day—and your body—you deserve answers and action. The law doesn’t hand out favors, but it does give you options.

At TopDog Law, our network of local lawyers helps people like you hold the right parties accountable. Call (888) 778-1197 today. A local attorney will review your case and help you get on track for the compensation you’re owed.