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Minnesota Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy when rideshare drivers cause accidents
People who live and visit Minneapolis-St. Paul and the other regions of Minnesota use Uber & Lyft for work, pleasure, shopping, medical appointments, and many other reasons. Some riders call these rideshare services if they’re intoxicated and need a sober driver. Many drivers operate Uber and Lyft vehicles to supplement their income or as full-time jobs. While rideshare services offer many benefits, there are risks. Like all other vehicle drivers, accidents happen every day.
At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we understand the complex issues involving Uber and Lyft accidents. Our Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident lawyers understand how driver distraction and a profit motive contribute to accidents. Our car accident lawyers understand when Uber and Lyft are accountable for your injuries and when the driver alone is responsible. We have a strong record of success holding drivers and employers accountable for the personal injuries and wrongful deaths they cause. Call us today to assert your right to compensation.
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Why do rideshare accidents happen in Minnesota?
Driving an Uber or Lyft is different from driving a car for personal reasons and different from driving a truck or any other type of large commercial vehicle. Uber and Lyft hire drivers so the companies can earn a profit. The more drivers they employ and the more rides each driver makes, the more Uber and Lyft earn. Drivers operate their vehicles to earn a living. More rides and longer hours mean more money.
When Uber and Lyft drivers are on duty, passengers use software apps to connect with the drivers. The drivers need to compete with other drivers so they earn the right to pick up a passenger. While en route to the passenger and while taking passengers to their destinations, drivers rely on GPS software to inform them of what route to take.
Some of the common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents include the following:
- Looking at a navigational device or a GPS to see where the driver is going
- Driving while distracted by texting, talking on a mobile phone, eating, or drinking
- Speeding or committing other traffic violations
- Driving too fast for the weather or traffic conditions
- Driving while fatigued – many Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours and/or early-morning or late-night hours
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Who is responsible for my Uber or Lyft accident?
Generally, Uber and Lyft drivers are liable for the accidents they cause. These accidents may include head-on accidents, broadsides, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, accidents while picking up or dropping off a passenger, and many other types of accidents.
In Minnesota, passengers use their own Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP) to pay their medical bills and lost income, up to the policy limit, which is typically $40,000 – regardless of who is responsible for the accident.
Fault claims
Rideshare accident victims can file a fault claim if they qualify. To qualify, a car accident victim must have more than $4,000 (not counting X-ray expenses) in medical expenses, a permanent injury, a disability that continues for 60 days or more, a permanent scar or disfigurement, or a loved one dies due to the car accident. Drivers who are liable must pay for your damages through their liability insurance policy.
Our Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident lawyers file personal injury claims for victims (non-rideshare drivers, rideshare and non-rideshare passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders). We seek compensation for all your medical bills (of every nature), loss of income, physical pain and emotional suffering, and all other financial and personal damages. Our lawyers also file wrongful death claims if an Uber or Lyft accident is fatal.
Driver responsibility
All vehicle drivers, including Uber and Lyft drivers, must have the following insurance coverage in the following amounts:
- $30,000. Bodily injury to one person.
- $60,000. Bodily injury to multiple accident victims in one accident.
- $10,000. Property damage in one accident.
- $40,000. Personal injury protection (PIP).
Drivers must also purchase uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance in the amount of $25,000 for one victim in one accident and $50,000 for multiple victims in one accident.
The driver’s liability insurance applies if the driver is not on duty.
Uber’s and Lyft's responsibility
When we file a personal injury or a wrongful death claim, we file the claim against the driver. Generally, Uber and Lyft are not liable for accidents when a driver is not on duty. Uber and Lyft are responsible for paying your damages if the driver is on duty as follows:
- A driver is on duty looking for a ride. This means that the driver’s app is on. Uber and Lyft pay damages as follows:
- $50,000 per person and $100,000 (multiple victims in one accident).
- $25,000 in property damage per accident.
- A driver has accepted a ride or the driver has picked up the passenger. Uber and Lyft should have coverage up to $1 million for all your personal injury or wrongful damages when the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault.
Uber and Lyft drivers may be entitled to payment for the property damage to their cars under certain conditions. Rideshare services offer optional driver injury protection in some cases, which may provide coverage similar to PIP or disability benefits. This is not automatically included and must be purchased separately by the driver.
What types of injuries do Uber and Lyft accidents cause?
Our personal injury lawyers handle all types of catastrophic, serious, and permanent injuries. Many Uber and Lyft passengers are more susceptible to certain injuries, such as whiplash, because they usually ride in the rear of the car. Some of the injuries we handle include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones/fractures
- Bone injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Nerve, muscle, tissue, ligament, and tendon damage
- Back, shoulder, and neck pain
How much is my rideshare accident claim worth in Minnesota?
At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we demand the following types of compensation for Uber and Lyft accident victims who meet the requirements to file a fault claim (discussed above):
- All your medical bills of every nature. These bills include emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, rehabilitative care, medications, and assistive devices.
- Your lost income. These bills include wages, benefits, business income, and long-term disability compensation
- Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering. This trauma includes all the times you hurt, cry, itch, feel anxious, feel depressed, or suffer in any other way due to your injuries.
- All other financial and personal damages. These include any scarring or disfigurement, loss of bodily function, inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and loss of consortium.
Do you have a Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet clients and families at our offices at 1505 Division Street in Waite Park, Minnesota. Our lawyers conduct phone and online video consultations. We also make alternative arrangements if you are too injured to travel.
Our lawyers can answer your questions and guide you through the claims process.
Speak with our experienced Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident lawyers now
At Bradshaw & Bryant, we’ve been fighting for the victims of accidents since 1975. Our lawyers have earned the respect of former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our dedication to our clients and our record of successful verdicts and settlements. Call us or complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation. Our rideshare attorneys represent clients in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the nearby suburbs. We also advocate for clients across Central Minnesota, including St. Cloud, Brainerd, and Alexandria, and Stearns, Sherburne, Wright, Morrison, and Benton counties.