Ride-sharing has become a standard part of our transportation system in Michigan. Companies such as Uber and Lyft transfer thousands of individuals to various destinations all over the state. Sometimes Uber car accidents occur, resulting in injury. Under Michigan law, victims injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident are entitled to no-fault benefits as well as pain and suffering compensation.
Ride-sharing companies and politicians have battled over how to properly compensate individuals and drivers injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident. After much deliberation, the Michigan legislature passed legislation setting forth the duties and responsibilities for Uber, Lyft and other independent contractor transportation network companies. In addition, Uber, Lyft and their partners made additional promises to ensure reasonable and proper compensation for individuals injured in a Michigan accident.
Uber and Lyft Michigan Car Accident Law
These promises include $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage for when an Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident while engaged in a ride. This coverage is available both for passengers in a ride-sharing vehicle as well as another member of the public injured due to the negligence of an Uber or Lyft driver.
In addition, individuals in an Uber or Lyft vehicle are covered under the Michigan no-fault law and thus entitled to all the same benefits other Michigan drivers can recover. These benefits include lost wages, payment of hospital and doctor bills, payment of out-of-pocket costs, and reimbursement for home care and nursing care.
Passengers injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft car are also entitled to benefits if injured due to the negligence of an uninsured motorist. Victims can claim up to $1,000,000 in compensation for pain and suffering through uninsured motorist coverage these companies maintain. This means if a hit-and-run driver hits your car while inside an Uber, you can still make a claim through Uber’s insurance company.
Under Michigan law, compensation is available if an Uber driver injures another motorist, pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist. In addition, no fault insurance coverage provided by Uber, Lyft or any Transportation Network Company is not dependent upon the personal auto insurance of the Uber or Lyft driver denying the claim first. So prompt payment of reasonable claims is expected and mandated under the law.
Michigan Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage – If an Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident, the victim can make a negligence claim for pain and suffering compensation against the Uber or Lyft driver and obtain compensation through his or her insurance policy. Uber and Lyft insurance policies are pretty standard. If a driver causes an accident, the available PIP benefit insurance coverage is $1,000,000. This coverage is available when the Uber or Lyft driver is logged on to the network and looking for rides, as well as when the driver is in the process of a ride.
Uninsured/Under-Insured Motorist Coverage – Uber and Lyft covers accidents caused by an uninsured or under-insured motorist up to $1,000,000 while a passenger occupies an Uber vehicle.
Property Damage Coverage – Under Michigan law, Uber and Lyft must cover at a minimum $25,000 for property damage while a driver is logged into the company’s digital network but not driving a prearranged ride. Once a prearranged ride has started, Uber and Lyft must cover $1,000,000 for property damage caused by a driver.
Uber and Lyft Accident Cases – Our Firm Gets Results
The Michigan Uber lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. handle cases involving Uber and Lyft on a daily basis. Recently, we resolved a claim for a woman who was actually an Uber driver.
While operating her car, she was violently rear-ended by a drunk driver. The impact caused her to sustain herniations to her neck as a low back injury. Over the next year, she received multiple injections in her neck and back, as well as chiropractic treatment. She sought treatment from a neurosurgeon but elected against surgery.
She also missed over a year of work and has permanent nerve injury in her neck area. Her auto no-fault carrier refused to pay her wage loss benefits, as well as medical expenses and replacement services. Through our exhaustive prosecution of her case, we were able to secure a six-figure settlement for our client.
Uber and Lyft Car Detroit Accident Injury Claims
Uber and Lyft car accidents involve a wide variety of claims. They can include accidents involving:
- Cars
- Semi-Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
These claims are treating almost exactly the same. So whether you are on a motorcycle or a pedestrian walking across the street, if you are injured by an Uber driver, the claim is virtually the same and the same benefits are offered. Often, insurance companies will try to delay and deny the payment of benefits. Therefore, it is important to find a tough, hard working law firm that is on your side.
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 are clients are entitled to receive. We deal with the insurance companies and stop them from bullying you around.
We take an individual approach to each case, meeting and working with our clients every step of the way to ensure they are advised and comfortable. We investigate the facts surrounding the accident, hire the necessary experts, meet with physicians and aggressively fight so our clients obtain justice and top 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.