Rideshares are convenient, eco-friendly ways to get around town, and they’re only growing in popularity. As with any mode of transportation, however, they are subject to accidents and even fatal injuries.
Perhaps you were a passenger in a rideshare like Uber or Lyft when it was involved in a crash, or maybe a rideshare vehicle collided with you. Whatever the circumstances, it’s hard to know what to do after a rideshare accident. Questions of liability are more complex in Lyft and Uber accidents, and that may be the first direction your thoughts head.
First, though, it’s usually smart to take a step back and do the following after an accident involving a rideshare vehicle. A rideshare accident lawyer in Michigan can help evaluate your case and explore your options.
Get Medical Treatment
The first thing you should always do after any accident is seek medical treatment. Even if you feel fine now, it’s in your best interests to be checked out by a doctor in case there are health concerns you’re just not aware of.
Some injuries, like internal bleeding or whiplash, are not immediately obvious and may worsen over time. A medical professional can make sure you’re examined for these injuries and others and may keep a bad situation from getting worse.
Additionally, seeking medical help and following a medical professional’s advice can help strengthen your case for damages. If you delay medical care or go against your doctor’s recommendations, the other party’s representatives may try to use this as proof that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim they are. This could jeopardize your potential compensation, so make sure you take care of your health.
Call Your Insurance
Your next step is to speak with your insurance. As mentioned, rideshare accidents get tricky quickly. Who’s responsible for your accident in these cases? Would it be the Uber or Lyft driver, or does Uber or Lyft step in and accept liability as a company? Does it fall on you to pick up the pieces?
A lot depends on whether the rideshare driver was on the clock at the time of the accident. Other factors include what kind of insurance coverage the rideshare driver is carrying and what coverage you have yourself.
If you weren’t responsible for the rideshare accident (or you aren’t sure), then there’s more riding on this conversation with the insurer than you might think. Sometimes it’s better to have someone else communicate with the insurance company on your behalf—someone who knows the liability laws involved in your case and has experience handling negotiations with insurers.
Michigan’s Insurance Laws Can Be Complex After a Rideshare Accident
Michigan auto accident laws can be confusing for many accident victims, especially after an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver. Michigan is considered a “No-Fault” state for auto accidents. Essentially, drivers must go through their own personal injury protection (PIP) policy to cover certain damages, like medical expenses, lost wages, and some additional expenses.
PIP allows drivers to select different medical coverage options to meet their financial needs. However, there are instances when PIP does not adequately cover all losses. Victims may have catastrophic injuries, and they can pursue a lawsuit to seek additional damages, including those not covered by PIP.
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare drivers must have auto insurance that meets state requirements. Rideshare drivers are not covered by the company insurance policies when they are offline and not accepting rides, so they should have their own coverage.
Rideshare Coverage for Active Drivers
When an Uber or Lyft driver is seeking passengers, picking up passengers, or actively driving passengers to a destination, the rideshare company’s insurance policies provide coverage.
- If the driver was online and seeking passengers, the rideshare provides coverage of:
- $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
- If the driver was headed to pick up a passenger, or if they were transporting passengers, the rideshare company offers:
- $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Our Michigan personal injury lawyers can make sure the right policy applies to your scenario, and seek full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights to Compensation in Michigan
Not every rideshare accident case in Michigan goes to court, but it’s important to protect your right to do so when necessary. Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805 give victims three years to file a lawsuit for damages against negligent parties. While you may see this three-year deadline and think you have plenty of time to act, this period will go by quickly.
A lawyer can review your case to see how long you have left to act and determine if any exceptions apply. They will also make sure your case is filed on time and correctly to help avoid any delays.
What Damages Can I Seek After a Rideshare Accident?
Every case is different, and the severity of your injuries can determine what benefits you can seek. If you can file a lawsuit, you could pursue damages like:
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, if the accident was fatal to a loved one
Speak With a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
You may or may not need a lawyer after a vehicle accident; the choice is always yours. However, it never hurts to get as much information as you can when you’re facing a life-changing incident like a rideshare accident. At Christensen Law, we offer free consultations to accident victims throughout the state of Michigan. We want you to have all the info you need right now.
Let us answer your personal injury questions, break down the accident claim process, and fill you in on the issues surrounding rideshare crashes. When you don’t know what to do after a rideshare accident, we may be able to point you in the right direction. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation now.
