Southfield Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

Rideshare services are everywhere in Southfield: drivers pick up and drop off passengers near Northland Center, Evergreen Road, and the Southfield Freeway at all hours. At the same time, as more people use Uber and Lyft, the number of car accidents involving these vehicles has gone up accordingly. To make matters worse, these claims can be hard to resolve on your own, as liability coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the time of impact.

At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we’ve been helping injured passengers, motorists, and pedestrians across Michigan since 1973. We know how to hold rideshare companies and their insurers accountable, especially when they try to deny coverage based on ride status or app activity. Our team investigates each crash carefully, pulling records from trip logs, app data, and dash cams to support your case. To learn how we can help you, call 1-800-LEE-FREE today.

Why Choose the Lee Steinberg Law Firm for Your DUI Defense?

If you were injured in a collision involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you need a law firm that’s fought for many people in your position. These cases often involve multiple insurance policies, shifting coverage rules, and denial of valid claims. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we know how to investigate rideshare crashes, gather app-based evidence, and demand full compensation for our clients. Here’s what you can expect when we take your case:

• Rideshare Case Experience: For over fifty years, we’ve represented injured passengers, drivers, and pedestrians in Michigan auto accident cases. Our team has handled many rideshare-related claims throughout the state, including in Southfield and across Oakland County. 
• Detailed Crash Investigations: We gather ride logs, app usage data, GPS tracking logs, and driver records to prove exactly what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the auto accident. That data can be used to unlock insurance coverage from Uber or Lyft’s $1 million policy. We also review medical records, police reports, and surveillance footage to build a clear, fact-based accident claim.
• Tough Insurance Negotiation: Rideshare insurers frequently deny claims by saying the driver wasn’t “on the clock” or wasn’t engaged in an active ride. We challenge those arguments with app data, trip history, and testimony that confirms the driver’s status. Our personal injury attorneys have taken on rideshare insurers, no-fault carriers, and third-party adjusters who tried to avoid paying injured clients.
• No Upfront Fees: You don’t pay anything to get your case started. Our rideshare accident lawyers handle Uber and Lyft injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you. You can get top-tier legal representation without worrying about coming up with a retainer.
• Real Client Results: We recovered a six-figure settlement for a woman who was rear-ended by a drunk driver while driving for Uber. She missed more than a year of work and suffered permanent nerve damage. Her auto insurance company refused to pay medical or wage loss benefits until our rideshare accident lawyers took over the case and secured a favorable outcome.

When you’re up against a huge rideshare company and multiple insurers, you want the right personal injury law firm on your side. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we act quickly to investigate the crash, protect your accident claim, and demand the full compensation you’re owed.

Rideshare Accidents in Southfield- What You Need to Know

Uber and Lyft vehicles operate across Southfield around the clock, especially near Northland Center, Evergreen Road, and Telegraph. Many drivers rely on these platforms for steady income, which means they take frequent trips through high-traffic areas. When crashes happen, their severity depends on the speed of impact and who else was involved.

Rideshare accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries. Passengers may be thrown forward without warning and strike their heads, while pedestrians hit by an Uber or Lyft driver may suffer broken bones, head trauma, or spinal damage. Cyclists are especially vulnerable on roads like Greenfield, where parked cars and tight lanes leave little room for error.

If you’re injured, your medical bills will probably pile up fast. In some cases, you might need surgery, physical therapy, or long-term care. You may also lose income if you can’t return to work right away. These losses should be covered, but insurance companies may argue about who was responsible or what coverage applies. That’s why documenting the crash, preserving your medical records, and speaking to a rideshare accident lawyer early are so important.

How Does Insurance Coverage Work in Uber & Lyft Accidents?

Uber and Lyft divide their insurance coverage into phases: offline, waiting for a request, and actively engaged in a trip. Each phase triggers different levels of protection, and knowing which applies is critical when you’re pursuing compensation. These distinctions can determine whether you’re dealing with a driver’s personal insurer or one of the rideshare company’s large liability insurance policies.

Driver Offline

If the rideshare driver was not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, they are treated the same as any other motorist. Only the driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies. At this coverage tier, Uber and Lyft bear no responsibility for damages, and company coverage is not available.

Driver Waiting for a Request

If the driver was logged in but had not yet accepted a ride, limited liability coverage applies through Uber or Lyft. This includes up to $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per car accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. These policy limits are much lower than the coverage available once a trip begins.

Driver En Route or With Passenger

Once the driver has accepted a trip or is actively transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. This policy covers passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists injured in the crash. In addition, Uber and Lyft offer contingent collision coverage for the driver’s own vehicle, but only if they carry collision coverage on their personal policy.

What About No-Fault Insurance Laws?

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system also plays a role in these cases. If you’re involved in a rideshare accident, your own no-fault policy may cover economic damages like medical expenses and some lost wages, regardless of fault. If you don’t have auto insurance, you may still qualify for benefits under the rideshare driver’s policy or, in some cases, through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. Determining which policy applies depends on your role in the accident and what the driver was doing at the time.

What to Do If You’re in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Southfield

The aftermath of any car accident is going to be chaotic. It’s a total shock to the system: one minute you were traveling in a motor vehicle, walking along the road, or cruising along the bike lane. Next, you’re lying on the ground or in the vehicle, overwhelmed and probably in pain. At times like this, it’s hard to think clearly, but a few critical steps can help you set the stage for a successful claim.

• Call 911 and Request Emergency Services: Contacting the police confirms that an official accident report will be created. This document records key facts such as location, time, and parties involved. Paramedics can also provide immediate medical treatment and record your injuries.
• Seek Medical Attention: Many serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away. A prompt medical exam at the hospital or your doctor’s office links your condition to the rideshare accident and prevents insurers from disputing the cause.
• Document the Accident Scene: Use your phone to photograph the vehicles, skid marks, and the intersection. Capture the rideshare driver’s license plate and, if you were a passenger, save screenshots of your trip within the app. This creates timestamped evidence that can’t be argued away later.
• Gather Driver and Witness Information: Ask the Uber or Lyft driver for their name, driver’s license number, and insurance details. You should also note the vehicle model and license plate number. If bystanders saw the accident, get their names and phone numbers before they leave. Witness statements can help verify what happened.
• Report the Crash Through the App: Notify Uber or Lyft directly within the app’s reporting system. Keep screenshots of your report and any replies, since company communications are often reviewed during claims or lawsuits.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Michigan’s no-fault system may require that you report the rideshare accident promptly. Provide only the basic facts and avoid speculating about fault until you’ve spoken to a car accident lawyer.
• Call a Southfield Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer: A personal injury attorney can request app data, driver trip records, and insurance communications that you can’t access on your own. They can also evaluate your damages, send a demand letter, and negotiate aggressively until you get the compensation you need.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

In Michigan, the timeline for rideshare accident claims differs depending on what type of benefits you’re seeking.

• If you’re pursuing no-fault benefits, such as medical bills or wage loss, you generally have one year from the date of the crash to submit your claim to the proper insurance company. Waiting longer than that can bar you from collecting payment for care you’ve already received. 
• If you’re seeking compensation for pain and suffering or other damages through a lawsuit, you usually have three years from the date of the accident to file in court. This three-year window applies to claims against negligent drivers, rideshare insurers, or other responsible parties. 

Because multiple insurers may be involved in Uber and Lyft cases, it’s easy for delays to cause missed deadlines. Acting quickly ensures your claim is filed on time and preserves your right to full compensation.

Can You Sue Uber or Lyft Directly?

In most cases, you can’t bring a direct lawsuit against Uber or Lyft after a rideshare crash. These companies classify their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, which allows them to avoid responsibility for most collisions caused by their drivers.

Instead of suing Uber or Lyft, claims are usually made through the company’s liability policies. As we’ve already indicated, if the driver was en route or carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage. If the driver was logged into the app but had not accepted a trip, only limited coverage is available.

While the independent contractor model means that the path to recovery runs through insurance claims rather than direct corporate liability, there are exceptions. For example, in cases where company negligence can be proven (such as negligent hiring and failure to run a background check on drivers), there may be limited grounds to involve Uber or Lyft more directly. However, these cases are rare, and you’ll definitely need help from a Southfield Uber & Lyft accident lawyer.

What If the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?

When an uninsured driver collides with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you still have options. If the rideshare driver was transporting a passenger or en route to pick someone up, Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. It can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses suffered by passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers.

If the rideshare driver was only logged in and waiting for a ride, this broader UM/UIM coverage usually doesn’t apply, and car accident victims may need to rely on their own no-fault insurance for medical bills and wage loss. Michigan law requires every driver to carry no-fault coverage, but when that system fails because an at-fault driver is uninsured, rideshare company policies can provide an important safeguard.

Contact the Lee Steinberg Law Firm – Southfield Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Uber and Lyft accident cases are rarely simple because liability depends on the driver’s app status and how Michigan’s no-fault system interacts with company policies. Without legal counsel, you risk being underpaid or denied coverage altogether.

At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we’ve represented Michigan accident victims for more than fifty years. Our attorneys know how to investigate rideshare crashes, preserve trip data and other app-based evidence, and demand fair compensation from insurers. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we recover for you.

If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Southfield, don’t wait to get the help you need. Call 1-800-LEE-FREE today for a free consultation and learn why so many injured clients have chosen us to fight for them.