Protecting Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident in Minnesota
Car accidents are tough when someone else’s careless actions hurt you. Rideshare accidents, like those involving Uber or Lyft, can be even more complicated. Unlike regular crashes, multiple insurance companies and different sets of rules might get involved. You could end up caught between the driver, the rideshare company, and other motorists.
If you’ve been injured while riding in a rideshare vehicle or hit by one, it helps to know your rights so you can get the compensation you are entitled to, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Steps to take after a rideshare accident
If you’ve just been in a rideshare accident, staying focused can help prevent future problems. The steps you take now will make a difference if you need to recover money for your losses. Below are some of the immediate steps you should consider taking after an accident.
Prioritize safety and medical care
The first thing you need to do is make sure you are safe and aren’t in further danger of getting hurt. This means putting your hazard lights on and pulling your car to the side of the road, if needed. If there are injuries, death, or vehicle damage, call 911 and wait for the police to arrive on the scene so you can make an accident report.
After this is taken care of, you want to see a doctor as soon as possible. If there are emergency services on the scene that can check you out, make sure you let them do this. Otherwise, either go to the emergency room or your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
Report the accident properly
In addition to calling law enforcement and making an accident report, it’s essential to report the car accident to the rideshare company and appropriate insurance companies as well. This can include your own company and the at-fault party’s company.
Exchange information
You need to exchange contact and insurance information with anyone involved in the accident. Get a picture of their insurance card, registration, and license.
Gather evidence
If you are safe and able to do so, you want to gather as much evidence as possible at the scene before it disappears. This includes photos or videos of the vehicles, damage, license plates, and the accident scene itself. Photograph traffic signals, the road, and anything else you think is relevant to the accident. Also, consider getting the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident.
Contact a lawyer
A lawyer familiar with rideshare accidents can guide you through any legal claims you make after being injured. Insurance claims and lawsuits are more complicated when rideshare vehicles are involved, so making sure you have legal representation is a critical step.
Taking these steps gives you a stronger foundation for any potential case or claim.
Understanding rideshare insurance coverage in Minnesota
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are a normal part of life in Minnesota. Whether you are a passenger, a driver, or another motorist on the road, it’s important to know how insurance works during rideshare trips.
Added complexities can come with rideshare accidents, especially regarding who pays when things go wrong. The insurance that applies depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. There are three main periods to consider.
When the app is off
When a rideshare driver is not logged into the app, they are considered a regular driver on Minnesota roads. Their personal car insurance policy applies at this time. Neither Uber nor Lyft policies will cover any crash caused by the driver while they are offline.
Logged into the app, waiting for a ride
Once a rideshare driver is logged into the app and waiting for someone to request a ride, specialty coverage kicks in behind their regular insurance. In Minnesota, this typically provides $50,000 per person and $100,000 total per accident for injuries, and $30,000 for property damage. If a Lyft or Uber driver causes a crash during this period, coverage might be provided by the driver, the rideshare company, or a combination of the two.
On the way to pick up riders or on a ride in progress
Coverage dramatically changes if there is an active trip, which means a rideshare driver has accepted a nearby pick-up assignment or there is a passenger in the car. Then, Uber and Lyft automatically provide possible coverage of up to $1,500,000 for injuries or property damage.
How a Minnesota car accident attorney can help after a rideshare accident
Trying to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, and the legal process after being injured in a rideshare accident is incredibly overwhelming. A Minnesota car accident attorney can step in to handle the legal side so you can focus on recovery. Here’s how working with a skilled lawyer can make a difference after a crash:
Determining who is liable
Not every car crash is simple, especially when rideshare vehicles or other drivers are involved. An attorney looks at all angles to figure out everyone who may hold financial responsibility for your injuries. This could include the rideshare company, their insurance, the driver, or even third parties.
Managing talks with insurance companies
It’s common to deal with more than one insurance company after a crash. Your lawyer handles all of these conversations, taking phone calls and sending emails to try to negotiate a reasonable settlement for your losses. Their experience helps level the playing field and makes it less likely that the insurance company can take advantage of you.
Calculating the full value of your claim
Every accident has some obvious costs, like repairs and hospital bills. Your claim often includes less visible things, too. Pain and suffering, time lost at work, and long-term day-to-day effects matter as well. In some cases (although rare), you might also be entitled to punitive damages. A lawyer looks at the facts of your case and makes sure you claim for all losses and injuries, not just the simple ones.
Staying on top of legal deadlines
Minnesota laws include strict cut-off dates for filing car accident lawsuits. Missing a deadline could mean you lose your chance at compensation. Your car accident attorney tracks these windows and gets your paperwork filed on time.
When serious injuries or complicated crashes occur, legal help matters. For decades, Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC has stood by crash victims throughout Minnesota. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Minnesota rideshare accident attorney.