Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed how people get around Chicago. But with this convenience comes serious safety concerns—especially when drivers work long hours. To curb fatigue-related accidents, the City of Chicago enacted a rideshare ordinance that limits how long drivers can be active on rideshare apps.
Under the ordinance, drivers may only be online for up to 10 hours within a 24-hour period—regardless of whether they’re using Uber, Lyft, or another platform. Violating this rule risks public safety and can lead to serious legal consequences for the driver and the rideshare company.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes annually in the U.S., leading to around 71,000 injuries and over 1,500 deaths. The gig economy and pressure to earn more can push rideshare drivers to stay on the road far too long, risking their own lives and those of others on the road.
In response, Chicago became one of the first major cities to regulate online hours across rideshare platforms to reduce fatigue-related accidents.
The 10-hour rule restricts how long a driver can have any rideshare app online during a 24-hour period. This includes:
The apps will automatically go offline once a driver hits the 10-hour threshold. Drivers can complete a current trip if they hit the limit mid-ride, but they can’t accept new requests.
To prevent overages, apps like Uber and Lyft now provide multiple warnings:
This helps drivers manage their time, but if they choose to ignore the warnings or switch between platforms to work longer, the city could fine them.
A key part of the ordinance is that the 10-hour cap is cumulative. That means:
Working 6 hours on Uber + 4 hours on Lyft = 10 hours total.
Drivers can’t bypass the system by switching platforms. The City of Chicago monitors compliance, and violations can result in hefty penalties and driver deactivation.
If you were involved in a rideshare accident and suspect that the driver was fatigued or over the 10-hour limit, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Drowsy driving is a form of negligence—and rideshare companies can be held liable under certain circumstances.
Our experienced Chicago Uber accident lawyers can investigate your case, access rideshare driver logs, and help prove violations of city law or driver fatigue. We’ll fight to recover compensation for:
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we’ve helped hundreds of clients across Chicago and its suburbs—including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan—recover after serious accidents. Our legal team knows how to take on major rideshare companies and hold negligent drivers accountable.
We offer:
Don’t try to handle a rideshare accident claim on your own—especially if a drowsy or overworked Uber or Lyft driver is involved. Let us handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.
Call (312) 236-2900 today or contact us online to speak with an experienced Chicago rideshare accident lawyer. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
