If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver in Lansing, after you seek medical attention, you may be dealing with mounting medical expenses and wondering if no-fault insurance will cover them—or what steps to take if your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits fall short. That’s where an experienced Lansing rideshare accident lawyer comes in. At our personal injury law firm, we help rideshare accident victims with the claims process—and we’re here to help you too.
Do I Need a Lawyer in Michigan’s No-Fault System?
If you’ve been seriously injured in a no-fault insurance system like Michigan’s, there may be options to seek fair compensation beyond your PIP insurance and no-fault benefits. An experienced personal injury attorney with knowledge of no-fault insurance can help determine whether you have a valid rideshare accident claim against the at-fault driver. They can also investigate the accident scene, gather evidence (like a police report), and take your case to trial to defend your legal rights.
What Is a Rideshare Under Michigan Law?
Rideshare services, or transportation network companies (TNCs), are defined by Michigan law as services that transport passengers for payment through platforms with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Independent contractors (not employees) use personal vehicles to connect with passengers via apps, offering an alternative to taxis and public transit.
Types of Compensation for Ridesharing Crash Injuries in Lansing
What Is Michigan’s No-Fault Law for Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning all drivers must have PIP to cover minor injuries—regardless of fault. Michigan drivers can choose from various PIP coverage levels offered by insurance companies, which cover medical expenses up to the selected amount, plus lost wages, attendant care, and some funeral costs. For severe injuries, like those from rideshare crashes, victims may pursue personal injury cases for additional damages—if they are less than 50% at fault.
Michigan’s wrongful death act lets families of fatal car crash victims seek compensation for their loss. (MCL 600.2922(1)) Liability coverage applies to damages you cause to others or their property in an at-fault car accident.
If I’m a Rideshare Passenger in an Accident in Michigan, Whose PIP Covers Me?
In Michigan, if you’re injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, your PIP insurance will cover your injuries. If you don’t have auto insurance, your no-fault benefits will come from other insurers in this order:
- The passenger’s auto insurance policy
- The passenger’s spouse’s auto insurance provider
- The no-fault policy of a family member the passenger lives with
- The no-fault insurance coverage from the rideshare driver
Serious Injuries in Lansing Rideshare Vehicle Accident Cases
MCL – Section 257.58c defines injuries that qualify as a serious impairment of body function, allowing personal injury victims of rideshare car accidents to seek additional damages beyond no-fault insurance. These injuries include:
- Severe physical injuries, such as the loss or loss of use of limbs
- Vision or hearing loss, as well as other impairments to bodily functions
- Conditions such as comas lasting over 3 days or measurable brain/mental impairments
- Serious trauma—like visible disfigurement, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or major bone fractures
- Organ loss or internal injuries
Financial Compensation for Seriously Injured Rideshare Accident Victims
In a personal injury lawsuit after a rideshare accident with multiple parties involved that caused serious impairment, additional compensation beyond no-fault insurance may include medical bills, lost wages, physical pain and suffering, and more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Case in Lansing, MI?
- Under Michigan law, the statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents is three years from the date of the accident. Contact an experienced attorney promptly to avoid missing deadlines.
Contact Our Lansing Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
If you or someone you care about was injured in a rideshare accident in Lansing caused by someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help you recover compensation. Contact our personal injury law firm today for a free consultation to explore your legal options with an experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer.
(312) 223-1700