Michigan Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Hurt in an Uber or Lyft? We Can Help.

A rideshare crash can leave you confused about who's responsible — the driver, Uber, Lyft, or another motorist entirely. If you were injured as a passenger, struck by a rideshare vehicle, or hurt while driving for Uber or Lyft, the Michigan rideshare accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm can help you sort out the layers of insurance coverage and pursue the compensation you're owed. For over 50 years, our firm has fought for injured Michiganders and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.

Understanding Rideshare Accidents in Michigan

Uber and Lyft have become part of daily life across Michigan, from late-night rides home in Detroit to airport runs in Grand Rapids. But when a rideshare vehicle is involved in a crash, the case becomes far more complicated than a typical car accident.

Rideshare accidents are serious because they involve multiple layers of insurance that shift depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Was the app on? Was the driver waiting for a ride request? Were they actively transporting a passenger? Each answer changes which insurance policy applies — and how much coverage is available.

This is exactly why legal representation matters in a rideshare case. Insurance companies for Uber, Lyft, and individual drivers often try to shift blame onto each other, delaying your claim and your medical care. An experienced Michigan rideshare accident attorney knows how to identify every available source of recovery and push back when insurers try to minimize your case.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers face many of the same risks as any other motorist, but several factors make crashes involving Uber and Lyft vehicles especially common:

• Distracted driving — Rideshare drivers are constantly looking at their phones to accept ride requests, follow GPS directions, and communicate with passengers.
• Driver fatigue — Many rideshare drivers work long hours or drive late at night after a full workday, increasing the risk of drowsy driving.
• Unfamiliarity with the area — Drivers navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods may make sudden turns, stops, or lane changes while searching for pickup and drop-off locations.
• Speeding to maximize trips — Some drivers rush between rides to increase their earnings, leading to aggressive driving and following too closely.
• Stopping in unsafe locations — Double-parking, stopping in traffic lanes, or pulling over abruptly to pick up or drop off passengers creates hazards for other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
• Driving under the influence — While both companies prohibit it, some drivers operate while impaired, putting passengers and others at serious risk.
• Inexperienced or poorly vetted drivers — Rideshare companies rely on background checks that don't always catch a driver's full history behind the wheel.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Because rideshare vehicles are regular passenger cars traveling on the same roads as everyone else, the injuries that result from these crashes mirror those seen in any serious car accident:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Facial injuries and lacerations from broken glass
• Emotional and psychological trauma, including PTSD

Passengers are especially vulnerable because they often have no warning before impact and may not be able to brace for a collision. Anyone injured in a rideshare crash — passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or occupant of another vehicle — deserves a full medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if injuries don't seem severe right away.