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Ann Arbor Rideshare Accidents Lawyer

Have you been injured in an accident while traveling in the Ann Arbor area of Michigan? If so, you may have legal options available to help you recover. Contact our legal team at Christopher Trainor & Associates as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. Our team can evaluate your case and determine the most appropriate steps toward justice.

 

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are gaining popularity in Michigan in place of traditional taxi and limousine options. These services, accessed through mobile apps, offer convenience and cost-saving opportunities for commuters. However, with the increasing popularity of ridesharing comes a rise in accidents involving rideshare vehicles.

If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, it is vital to understand what actions to take and the available legal options. Our Ann Arbor rideshare accident lawyers at Christopher Trainor & Associates are here to help.

 

 

Michigan Law Surrounding Rideshare Vehicles

In recent years, Michigan has implemented legislation overseeing Uber and Lyft under the Transportation Network Companies(TNCs). As a result, rideshare drivers must meet specific criteria to qualify to operate a vehicle for either company. These requirements specify that:

  • Rideshare drivers should not have accumulated four moving violations or one major moving violation in the preceding three years. A major moving violation includes attempting to evade law enforcement, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended or revoked license.
  • Rideshare drivers should not have any felony convictions within the last five years.
  • Rideshare drivers must hold valid registration in Michigan or any other state.
  • Rideshare drivers must possess a valid driver’s license in Michigan or any other state.
  • Rideshare drivers in Ann Arbor must be at least 25 years of age.
  • Rideshare drivers cannot be listed on the National Sex Offender Public Website.
  • Rideshare drivers must provide proof of automobile liability insurance.

While it is commonly assumed that Uber or Lyft vehicles require an annual inspection, this is not always true. Michigan mandates an annual inspection solely for vehicles aged five years or older. Vehicles younger than five years old are exempt from inspection requirements.

Understanding Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents encompass any incident involving services like Uber or Lyft that lead to personal injury or fatalities. These accidents involve collisions between rideshare vehicles and other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or objects on the road.

Injuries resulting from rideshare accidents vary in severity. However, the repercussions of these accidents extend beyond physical harm, often resulting in overwhelming emotional trauma with lasting effects on victims. Typical injuries reported in rideshare accidents in Michigan include:

Accident victims often require extensive medical treatment for their injuries. For this reason, it is imperative to seek help from a dedicated law firm right away. A skilled attorney can help you protect your legal rights and hold the responsible driver accountable. To recover fair compensation, it is vital to identify the specific act that caused the crash to occur.

Common Causes of Accidents Involving Uber and Lyft Drivers

Rideshare accidents can take place for several reasons. The majority of these accidents involve some type of negligence. These include accidents caused by:

  • Uber and Lyft drivers speeding
  • Drivers being under the influence
  • Distracted rideshare drivers
  • The actions of other Michigan drivers sharing the road
  • Running red lights
  • Passing stop signs

If you are injured in an accident with a rideshare driver, you must take several steps to protect your rights.

 

 

 

Taking Action After a Rideshare Accident

In the event of an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Michigan, you must seek immediate medical attention. After a thorough medical examination, you will need to report the accident to the police if possible. Timely reporting is often necessary for insurance claims, which can cover your resulting medical expenses, any lost wages you sustained due to being off work, and other related costs through no-fault insurance benefits. These benefits are typically accessible regardless of whether the injured party owns a vehicle involved in the accident or holds their own auto insurance policies. Seeking guidance from a knowledgeable Ann Arbor rideshare car crash lawyer can provide further insight into navigating the claims process for Michigan residents.

Recovering Compensation for Damages

If your Uber or Lyft driver is involved in a rideshare accident, there is insurance coverage provided by the rideshare companies, but the compensation you receive will depend on the circumstances of the incident. Typically, passengers can recover compensation for the following in Uber or Lyft accidents:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills for immediate medical treatment
  • Long-term medical bills for therapy, rehabilitation, and more
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium

The amount of coverage you receive for these and other damages will be determined by the extent of liability coverage accessible after your crash. The auto insurance company that will cover the resulting damages is often dictated by the party that is responsible for the crash.

It is important to remember that Michigan operates on a no-fault insurance system. This Michigan law states that if you have an auto accident, the no-fault insurance benefits typically cover the resulting lost wages, medical costs, and various other damages. However, if the extent of damages goes above the no-fault benefits limit, legal action may need to be taken.

 

 

 

Insurance Coverage in a Rideshare Accident

Uber and Lyft offer commercial insurance policies that vary depending on when the rideshare driver was involved in the accident. Some common coverage scenarios include the following:

  • If the accident occurs while the rideshare driver is offline on the app, there is usually no coverage provided by the ridesharing service.
  • If the accident happens while the driver is logged into the Uber/Lyft app and is at fault, the insurance typically covers $50,000 per victim, $25,000 for property damage, and $100,000 for total injury liability.
  • When the driver is en route to pick up a passenger, the insurance coverage increases to $1 million.
  • During the period between picking up and dropping off a passenger, the coverage remains at $1 million through the rideshare company. Additionally, insurance includes coverage for uninsured drivers and damages to the rideshare vehicle.

Personal auto insurance policies of rideshare drivers usually do not cover accidents unless they have purchased commercial insurance or a ridesharing endorsement. Personal auto insurance typically doesn't cover ridesharing activities as they are considered commercial use, not personal liability insurance. Therefore, if an accident occurs while a Lyft or Uber passenger is in the car, the driver may not be able to seek financial compensation through personal insurance, even if they are not at fault.

Other Parties Who Can Be Held Liable

In addition to Uber or Lyft drivers, there are several other parties who may be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages. These include:

  • Other Michigan drivers involved in or responsible for the accident
  • Bicyclists or pedestrians
  • Other transportation services or vehicles involved
  • Government agencies
  • Manufacturers of rideshare vehicle equipment

Determining fault in an accident when a Lyft or Uber driver is transporting passengers can sometimes be challenging. For this reason, it is imperative to seek legal guidance from a Michigan car accident lawyer. Your attorney can evaluate the circumstances surrounding the accident and identify all of the liable parties. They will then assist in pursuing the maximum compensation for your losses and damages.

 

When to Reach Out to a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

It is essential to contact a rideshare car accident attorney to protect all your rights and ensure you receive rightful compensation. Even in the case of a minor accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, it is advisable to seek legal counsel. A rideshare accident attorney can be of assistance if you:

  • Have sustained a significant personal injury in your ridesharing accident
  • Are burdened by substantial medical expenses not covered by insurance due to the accident
  • Find yourself hospitalized for an extended period post-accident
  • Experience loss of income and financial strain after the accident
  • Have encountered challenges in receiving a response from the rideshare company regarding the seriousness of your accident

Our team can provide you with a free consultation to discuss your legal options. We can then help you gather evidence and protect your rights.

Call Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today

At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we take pride in helping accident victims harmed in rideshare accidents get justice. We will do everything possible to ensure you have all the evidence needed to prove your case and prevail. With decades of experience, you can depend on our team to fight diligently to ensure the negligent Uber or Lyft driver is held accountable for their actions and that you get justice.

Feel free to contact our Michigan personal injury law firm if you have suffered injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident. Your right to justice is vital, and our dedicated team is ready to assist you. Call our skilled Ann Arbor rideshare accident lawyer at (248) 886-8650 today to schedule a free case review.

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