Chicago Uber Drivers: What Are My Options After Being Struck by an Uninsured Driver?
In May of 2026, multiple sources revealed that an Uber driver had filed to sue Chicago police for contributing to his injuries. The lawsuit revolved around a police pursuit that ended with the Uber driver and his passenger suffering injuries. This is just one example of a legal option that an Uber driver might be able to pursue when seeking compensation for injuries. For further guidance, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago.
Why Uber Drivers Often Need to Get Creative When Pursuing Compensation for Crashes
Uber drivers often have to think more carefully about how to cover their medical bills and missed earnings after car crashes. As independent contractors, Uber drivers are not covered by normal workers’ compensation. This program is only available to “employees,” and this is often a source of frustration for not just Uber drivers, but all other independent contractors in the “gig economy.”
While this may seem discouraging, it is usually quite easy to file personal injury lawsuits for Uber accidents. As long as the Uber driver successfully establishes that someone else was to blame for their injuries, they can sue other negligent parties to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Often, these personal injury claims are actually more lucrative than workers’ compensation benefits.
Uninsured Drivers Can Cause Major Issues for Uber Drivers
While personal injury lawsuits can be highly beneficial for injured Uber drivers, they are not always possible. Even if another driver was clearly to blame, compensation may be impossible to pursue if there is no underlying insurance coverage.
Many drivers, especially those who drive recklessly, lack insurance. In this situation, there may be no real point in suing the at-fault driver unless they have significant personal assets. In this situation, Uber drivers must consider alternative forms of compensation.
Potential Strategies for Uber Drivers Injured by Uninsured Drivers
One potential strategy is to determine whether another party contributed to the accident. In the aforementioned case, the Uber driver tried to hold the Chicago Police responsible for causing the crash. Although these strategies are not always successful, they can be rewarding in certain cases. Other options might include suing the City for confusing signs or poorly maintained roads.
You can also sue another driver for a “near miss” that contributed to your crash. For example, another driver might have suddenly veered into your lane, causing you to swerve and strike another vehicle. In this situation, you could argue that the driver who veered into your lane was the primary cause of the subsequent accident, even if they never came into physical contact with you.
Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Help Me?
A workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago may be able to help if you are recovering from injuries as an Uber driver. While Uber drivers typically do not get access to workers’ comp, a lawyer may be able to help you assess your full range of legal options. Contact Conolly Injury Law today to learn more about your next potential steps.
Source:
news.wttw.com/2026/05/08/jury-rejects-lawsuit-filed-uber-driver-passenger-injured-chicago-police-pursuit