Uber and Lyft Accident in Michigan: Who Pays Your Medical Bills and How to File a Claim

Uber and Lyft have become ubiquitous in many parts of the country. In most cities, with the touch of a few buttons on your cell phone, you can order a ride to take you home, to a friend's house, restaurant, bar, or basically anywhere. In the United States, there are approximately 14 million Uber rides and 9 million Lyft rides every single day.

But what happens if you are injured in a Uber Lyft accident in Michigan as a passenger? Who pays the medical bills? How do you file a claim? If you were involved in a collision in Michigan, this article will help explain everything.

Who Pays the Medical Bills If You're Injured in a Michigan Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft in Michigan, your own auto insurance pays the medical expenses related to the crash. This is true even if your car had nothing to do with the motor vehicle accident. This is because in Michigan, there is a set order-of-priority that dictates which auto insurance carrier is responsible for payment of medical expenses. To understand the full breakdown, see our guide on who pays medical bills after a car accident in Michigan.

If you do not have auto insurance but reside with a relative who does, their auto insurance is supposed to cover the cost. For example, if you live with your aunt and she has Progressive Insurance, then Progressive pays your medical bills.

However, if there is no auto insurance at either of these levels, then the auto insurance company for the Uber or Lyft ride is responsible for paying your medical bills. Most of the time, the medical coverage limit is $250,000.

Who Pays the Medical Bills If You're an Uber or Lyft Driver?

If you are an Uber or Lyft driver and you are involved in a motor vehicle accident that requires medical treatment, your own auto insurance pays the medical bills. This is true even if the other vehicle caused the crash.

However, which auto insurance pays? Your personal auto insurance or commercial insurance for when you are driving for Uber and Lyft? The answer depends on when the crash occurred:

• App On, Ride Accepted or In Progress: Your Uber or Lyft commercial auto insurance covers the crash.
• App Off: Your personal auto insurance is responsible.

For a detailed explanation of how these three phases affect your coverage, see our guide on Uber accident insurance phases in Michigan.

Important Rule for Uber and Lyft Drivers

It is important to be upfront with your auto insurance company and let them know you also operate the vehicle for Uber or Lyft. Your personal auto insurance will not cover you if you use the vehicle for transportation services. In fact, insurance companies have exclusions that deny all accident claims when vehicles are used for a business purpose, such as Uber or Lyft. Learn more about no-fault PIP exclusions for rideshare drivers under Michigan law.

Uber and Lyft will help their drivers obtain auto insurance. If you are an Uber driver, make sure you have auto insurance that covers you while you are on the job.

What Happens When the Uber Driver is Uninsured?

If the Uber driver doesn't have auto insurance and you don't, there is still hope. Under the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP), the Plan will assign an auto insurance company to pay up to $250,000 in medical expenses. This also includes payment for lost wages, replacement services, and other benefits.

An experienced Michigan Uber car accident lawyer can walk you through the application process and make sure you are covered.

How Do You Find Out What Insurance Company the Uber Driver Had?

The best way to find out which insurance company the Uber or Lyft driver has after a crash is to ask the driver. Uber drivers are required to carry auto insurance. The auto insurance must include PIP coverage for passengers. Failing to carry this insurance can result in fines, penalties, and possible suspension from Uber or Lyft. Request a copy of the driver's certification of no-fault insurance.

But what if the Uber driver won't tell you, or you don't get this information at the accident scene? Then another way is to get the police report. The responding officer will typically record the auto insurance information for all drivers involved in the crash in the police report. The police report is called a UD-10.

If you are still having problems, contact a Michigan Uber car accident injury lawyer. The lawyer can investigate and determine which carrier is responsible for paying first-party no-fault benefits.

How Do I File an Insurance Claim After a Michigan Uber or Lyft Crash?

The best way to file an insurance claim after an Uber crash is to call your own auto insurance carrier. Let them know you were injured and give them detailed information about the crash. If you don't have auto insurance, call the Uber driver's car insurance carrier.

Insurance Claim Tips

You have 1 year to file a PIP claim and file a written notice against the proper insurance carrier. Written notice must include the name and address of the claimant and indicate in ordinary language the name of the person injured and the time, place, and nature of the person's injury. MCL 500.3145(4).

Failing to do this will result in forfeiting your right to obtain all Michigan no-fault benefits.

Do I Have to Give a Statement to My Car Insurance Company After a Crash?

Usually, you must give a statement to your insurance company or the insurance company responsible for paying first-party benefits. Often these statements are recorded. However, it is important to talk with an Uber car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement. These statements can be used against you later to deny coverage or claims.

Out-of-State Residents Injured in a Michigan Uber or Lyft Accident

If you are an out-of-state resident injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Michigan, you are not eligible for Michigan no-fault benefits unless you own a motor vehicle that is registered and insured in Michigan. Assuming you don't, then the negligent driver responsible for causing the injuries must pay your medical expenses. MCL 500.3113.

However, to recover medical bills from the negligent driver, a nonresident must have suffered a threshold injury. There are three threshold injuries: (1) death, (2) permanent serious disfigurement, or (3) serious impairment of body function. Almost all auto accidents fall into the last category.

Michigan is not an easy state when it comes to auto accidents and personal injury claims. The same is true for paying medical bills. That is why it is best to contact an experienced Michigan Uber accident lawyer to determine the best way to start a claim.

Lee Steinberg Law Firm — Michigan Uber and Lyft Injury Attorneys

The Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., are aggressive in obtaining the benefits and compensation our clients are entitled to receive. We take on the insurance companies and stop them from bullying you.

We approach each case individually, meeting and working with our clients every step to ensure they are advised and comfortable. We investigate the facts surrounding the accident, hire the necessary experts, meet with physicians, and aggressively fight to ensure that our clients obtain justice and the highest possible compensation.

The Lee Steinberg Law Firm represents car accident injury victims in Detroit, Warren, Sterling Heights, Pontiac, Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Bay City, Midland, Grand Rapids, Cadillac, Alpena, Traverse City, and other cities and communities in Michigan.