What Happens If You Are Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Michigan?

Getting into an Uber or Lyft is supposed to make transportation easier. But if your rideshare vehicle is involved in a crash, what happens next can become complicated very quickly. You may be dealing with injuries, medical bills, missed work, and questions about which insurance company is actually responsible for paying.

Rideshare accidents in Michigan can involve the driver’s personal insurance, coverage connected to Uber or Lyft, Michigan No-Fault benefits, and the insurance of another driver who may have caused the crash. Because the coverage that applies can depend on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the collision, these claims often require a closer look than a typical car accident.

Who Can Be Responsible for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Responsibility depends on how the crash occurred and may involve the rideshare driver, another motorist, or multiple parties.

If your Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident by speeding, driving distracted, following another vehicle too closely, or violating another traffic law, the driver’s actions may become an important part of your claim.

In other cases, another motorist may be responsible. Some crashes involve more than one negligent driver, which can make determining liability more difficult.

An attorney can investigate the accident, review police reports and witness statements, examine available video or photographs, and determine which parties may be responsible for your injuries.

What Insurance Applies in a Michigan Rideshare Accident?

The insurance coverage available can depend on whether the rideshare driver was waiting for a request or actively completing a ride.

Michigan law requires transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft to maintain specific insurance coverage while their drivers are using the rideshare platform. Coverage requirements change depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.

For example, when a driver is logged into the rideshare app and available to accept requests but has not yet accepted a ride, Michigan requires certain liability coverage. Once the driver is actively engaged in a prearranged rideshare trip, state law requires at least $1 million in combined liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage.

The driver is also required to provide information about whether they were logged into the rideshare network or actively completing a ride when an accident occurs. That detail can become important when determining which insurance coverage applies.

Can an Injured Passenger Receive No-Fault Benefits?

An injured rideshare passenger may have access to Michigan Personal Injury Protection benefits, but determining the correct insurer can be complicated.

Michigan’s No-Fault system provides PIP coverage for certain accident-related losses, including eligible medical expenses and other benefits. State insurance rules also specifically address coverage involving transportation network companies and their passengers.

Depending on the circumstances, more than one insurance policy may need to be reviewed. An attorney can help determine where the claim should be submitted and whether additional compensation may be available from a driver who caused the crash.

What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?

You should seek medical attention, document the accident, and preserve information from your rideshare trip as soon as possible.

If you are able, take several steps after the collision:

• Seek medical treatment: Some injuries may not be immediately obvious, and medical records can help document the connection between the crash and your injuries.
• Report the accident: Contact law enforcement when appropriate and make sure the collision is documented.
• Save your trip information: Screenshot your Uber or Lyft receipt, driver information, route, pickup location, and any other details available through the app.
• Take photos: Document the vehicles, damage, surrounding area, and any visible injuries.
• Collect witness information: Names and contact information may become important later.
• Be cautious with insurance companies: Before signing documents, giving detailed statements, or accepting a settlement, consider having an attorney review your situation.

Evidence can disappear quickly after any crash. Rideshare trip information, surveillance footage, witness memories, and other records may become especially important if an insurance company later disputes how the accident happened.

Navigating an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim in Michigan

A rideshare accident claim can involve multiple insurance policies, questions about the driver’s app status, Michigan No-Fault benefits, and disagreements over who caused the crash. What initially appears to be a straightforward passenger injury claim can become much more complicated once several insurers become involved.

Michigan Accident Attorneys can investigate what happened, identify the insurance coverage that may apply, gather evidence, communicate with insurers, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation. If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft or were involved in a crash with a rideshare vehicle in Michigan, call (877) 225-5622 or contact us online for a free consultation.