Detroit is home to over 600,000 people, many of whom use ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft to commute, run errands, or attend school. However, as more people rely on rideshare apps for convenient transportation, the likelihood of being involved in an accident while using these services grows. The aftermath of such accidents can be difficult to deal with, especially if serious injuries and complicated insurance claims are involved.
When you’re involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, having an experienced lawyer by your side is essential. Filing an insurance or personal injury claim in a rideshare accident can be more complicated than other accident cases because they often involve multiple parties and auto insurance companies. Without proper legal guidance, you can be left with less compensation than you deserve.
At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., we aggressively advocate for those injured in preventable rideshare accidents. If you’ve been injured in or around Detroit, schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.
Why Hire Us for Your Detroit Uber & Lyft Accident Claim?
After experiencing an Uber or Lyft accident, it’s hard to know what to do next. How do you know if you have a case? Who pays your medical bills and other damages? At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., we have built a reputation for client success over the past 50 years. Here’s why you should trust us with your Detroit rideshare accident claim:
- Decades of Experience: Founded in 1973 by nationally recognized attorney Lee Steinberg, our law office has decades of experience in personal injury law. We have successfully handled several rideshare accident cases and won maximum compensation for our clients.
- Proven Track Record: Our law office has a history of obtaining positive outcomes for clients in a variety of personal injury matters, including Uber and Lyft accidents in the Detroit area. We fight for the rights of our clients against the largest corporations and insurance companies.
- Client-Centered Approach: At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., we prioritize your needs. Our dedicated rideshare accident lawyers, some of whom have been with the firm for over 25 years, make sure that each client receives the individual care and support they deserve.
- Extensive Resources: As one of the largest personal injury law firms in Michigan, we have the resources to properly handle your case. This includes access to medical professionals and other expert witnesses.
Our Uber accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. This ensures that you have access to top-tier legal representation without any financial risk. Protect your legal rights and call 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-866-503-3043) today for a free consultation.
How Does Compensation Work in a Detroit Uber & Lyft Accident?
When you’re involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, figuring out who compensates you can be complicated. This difficulty arises because different insurance policies and coverages may apply depending on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Services Accidents
Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers and passengers, but the amount and type of coverage depend on the circumstances of the accident. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Offline or App Off
If the driver is not using the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the accident, their personal auto insurance is responsible for covering the damages. This scenario treats the collision like any other regular car accident where the at-fault driver’s personal insurance is the primary source of compensation.
App On, No Ride Accepted
When the driver is logged into the mobile app but hasn’t accepted a ride, Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage. In this situation, the rideshare company’s coverage is the driver’s primary insurance. The coverage limits typically include at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. MCL 257.2123(2)(a).
Ride Accepted or In Progress
Once the driver accepts a ride, Uber and Lyft offer substantial insurance coverage until the passenger exits the vehicle. During this period, the rideshare company’s insurance provides:
- Up to $1 million in liability coverage: This covers any damages the negligent driver may cause to others.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: This protects passengers and drivers if they are hit by another driver who either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages.
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage: This covers damage to the rideshare vehicle itself, but only if the driver has comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy.
At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., our skilled attorneys will thoroughly investigate your Detroit accident, determine the appropriate insurance coverage, and fight to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Law Affect Rideshare Accidents?
Michigan’s no-fault insurance system means that your personal auto insurance policy covers your medical care expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This system is designed to ensure quick payments and reduce the need for litigation in minor accidents. In a rideshare accident, whether you’re a passenger or a driver, Michigan’s no-fault insurance law will affect your claim for damages.
For Passengers
If you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle during an accident, you are entitled to benefits under Michigan’s no-fault insurance law. These no-fault insurance benefits typically include:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for all necessary medical treatment resulting from the accident.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to severe injuries sustained in the accident, up to a certain limit.
- Replacement Services: Payment for services you can no longer perform yourself due to your catastrophic injuries, such as household chores and attendant care services.
You will generally first claim these benefits from your own auto insurance policy, even though you were a passenger. If you don’t have auto insurance, you can claim under the car insurance for the rideshare. Rideshare drivers must provide at least $250,000 in PIP (medical) coverage. This coverage pays for the medical and hospital bills a passenger may sustain from an Uber crash in Michigan.
For Drivers
If you’re driving for Uber or Lyft and get into an accident, Michigan’s no-fault insurance law also applies. The legal process will depend on whether you were logged into the app and had accepted a ride:
- App Off: If you were not logged into the app, your personal no-fault insurance benefits will cover you.
- App On, No Ride Accepted: If you were logged into the app but hadn’t accepted a ride, you will claim no-fault benefits through your personal insurance policy. Uber and Lyft provide additional liability coverage in this scenario if your policy limits are exceeded.
- Ride Accepted or In Progress: If you accepted a ride or were transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft’s no-fault coverage will apply. This coverage includes personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for medical expenses and lost wages.
Additional Considerations
While no-fault insurance covers economic losses such as medical expenses and lost wages, it does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life unless certain conditions are met. To pursue these types of damages, your injuries must meet the threshold of serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or death. This is where having a Michigan personal injury lawyer can be beneficial, as they can help you pursue additional compensation if applicable.
What to Do if You’ve Been in a Rideshare Accident?
Being involved in a rideshare accident can be incredibly stressful. However, knowing the steps to take immediately after the incident can help protect your rights and secure the fair settlement or verdict you need to recover.
- Seek Medical Attention: Move to a safe location if possible and check for yourself and anyone else for physical injuries. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to seek medical attention right away, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent. Prompt evaluation is also important for creating a medical record of your injuries.
- Call the Police: Call the police and request that an officer be sent to the scene. A police report will serve as an important piece of evidence when filing your accident injury claim. Provide the officers with accurate information but avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the Uber accident.
- Gather Information: Collect as much information as possible from all parties involved, including names and contact information for the rideshare driver, other drivers, passengers, and witnesses. You should also obtain insurance details from all drivers involved in the accident and take screenshots of your trip details in the app, including the Lyft or Uber driver’s name, the time of the ride, and the route.
- Document the Scene: Use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, any visible injuries you or others may have sustained, and any relevant conditions like traffic signals and skid marks.
- Report the Accident to the Rideshare Company: Inform the rideshare company about the accident through their app or customer support. Uber and Lyft have procedures for handling accidents, and reporting it promptly can help facilitate your claim.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance carrier to report the accident, even if you were a passenger. Your policy may provide benefits that apply, and early notification helps in processing your claim efficiently.
- Consult with an Experienced Rideshare Accident Attorney: Rideshare accident claims can be complicated, involving multiple insurance policies and parties. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, manage the claims process, and advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. is here to provide you with the legal support you need.
FAQs
How Long Do I Have To File an Uber & Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Detroit?
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those involving Uber and Lyft accidents, is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means you have three years to file a lawsuit for any injuries or damages sustained in the accident, although some exceptions could affect the timeline:
- If the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended. In Michigan, a minor has until their 19th birthday to file a personal injury claim, regardless of when the accident occurred.
- If your claim involves a government entity (e.g., a city bus driver or government-owned vehicle), special rules and shorter deadlines may apply. It’s crucial to act quickly in these situations and consult with an attorney who can navigate these specific requirements.
- The statute of limitations for a PIP claim is one year. This means if the car insurance carrier has refused to pay a benefit, such as wage loss or medical expenses, and has formally denied payment, the injured person has one year from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.
Michigan’s no-fault rules are confusing. It is best to contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer to protect your rights.
In addition, even though you may have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s important to act quickly for several reasons. The sooner you take action, the easier it will be to gather and preserve evidence related to the accident. Witnesses’ memories can also fade over time, and locating them can become more difficult. Finally, promptly reporting the accident and filing claims can help ensure a smoother process with insurance companies.
How Much Does a Detroit Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Cost?
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in Detroit, you might be concerned about the cost of hiring a qualified lawyer. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs for our legal services. Instead, our fee is a percentage of the accident settlement or judgment we obtain for you.
This type of fee arrangement offers several benefits. It allows you to hire a skilled rideshare accident attorney without needing to afford high hourly rates or upfront costs. You can also focus on your recovery without the added financial pressure of legal bills.
Get a Free Consultation From a Detroit Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, please reach out to us for help. The sooner you contact the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., the sooner we can begin working on your case and protecting your rights. For more information or to schedule an initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, please call 313-513-7230 or contact our Detroit office online today.
