Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Michigan

Uber and Lyft have completely changed the way people travel across Michigan—from Detroit and Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor, Lansing, and everywhere in between. But with that explosive growth has come a sharp rise in rideshare-related crashes, leaving passengers, drivers, and pedestrians seriously injured and confused about what comes next.

Rideshare accidents are not like regular car accidents. Different insurance rules apply. Corporate policies overlap with personal coverage. And Uber and Lyft work fast to distance themselves from responsibility the moment someone gets hurt.

The result? Injured people are left dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, lost income, and mounting medical bills—while billion-dollar companies and insurance carriers point fingers at each other.

After a rideshare crash, confusion is not an accident—it’s a strategy.

Uber and Lyft insurance carriers routinely delay claims, deny coverage, or argue that the “wrong policy” applies. If you don’t know how Michigan law and rideshare insurance work together, you can lose benefits you’re legally entitled to.

Understanding Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage in Michigan

Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance System

Under Michigan’s No-Fault law, injured people are generally entitled to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits may include:

• Medical expenses
• Wage loss
• Replacement services

But rideshare accidents raise a critical question: Which insurance policy is responsible?

How Rideshare Insurance Interacts with No-Fault Benefits

Uber and Lyft provide layered insurance coverage—but it only applies under specific circumstances. If the driver was not properly logged into the app, or if insurers dispute the driver’s status, claims can stall or be denied altogether.

Knowing which policy applies at the exact moment of the crash is one of the most important legal issues in any Uber or Lyft accident case.

Why Identifying the Correct Policy Is Critical

Filing against the wrong insurer—or missing coverage entirely—can result in:

• Delayed medical treatment
• Unpaid bills
• Lost wage benefits
• Reduced or denied compensation

Insurance companies will not correct these mistakes for you. That’s why early legal guidance matters.

The Three Rideshare “Periods” That Determine Insurance Coverage

Period 0: Driver Not Logged Into the App

When the driver is offline:

• The driver’s personal auto insurance applies
• Uber and Lyft deny all responsibility
• Many personal policies exclude rideshare activity, leading to coverage disputes

This is one of the most aggressively contested scenarios.

Period 1: Driver Logged In, Waiting for a Ride Request

When the app is on but no ride has been accepted:

• Uber and Lyft provide limited contingent liability coverage
• Coverage limits are significantly lower
• Disputes often arise over whether the app was active

This period creates some of the biggest coverage gaps in rideshare litigation.

Periods 2 & 3: Ride Accepted or Passenger in the Vehicle

Once a ride is accepted—or a passenger is inside the vehicle:

• Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply
• No-Fault benefits still play a critical role

Even with high policy limits, insurers still fight these claims hard—challenging fault, injuries, and damages at every step.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Michigan

Seek Immediate Medical Care

Your health comes first. Delayed treatment gives insurers ammunition to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the crash.

Call Police and Ensure a Crash Report Is Filed

A police report helps establish:

• How the crash occurred
• Who was involved
• Initial fault assessments

This document often becomes a cornerstone of the claim.

Take Screenshots of the Ride in the App

Before the ride disappears from your phone:

• Screenshot the trip details
• Capture timestamps, driver information, and ride status

This evidence can be critical in proving which insurance period applies.

Identify the Driver’s Rideshare Status

Was the driver:

• Logged out?
• Waiting for a request?
• Actively transporting a passenger?

This single detail can determine whether thousands—or millions—of dollars in coverage apply.

Gather Witness Information

Independent witnesses can help prove:

• Fault
• Speed
• Driver behavior

Names and contact information matter.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies

Uber, Lyft, and their insurers are not on your side. Recorded statements are often used to:

• Minimize injuries
• Shift blame
• Deny coverage

You are not required to give one.

Contact a Michigan Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Immediately

Rideshare cases move fast—and insurers move faster.

Early legal intervention helps:

• Preserve app and GPS data
• Identify the correct insurance coverage
• Protect your No-Fault benefits
• Prevent costly mistakes

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident anywhere in Michigan, you deserve answers, accountability, and real advocacy.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Michigan Rideshare Accident?

Uber or Lyft’s Insurance Carrier

When the driver is logged into the app or actively transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide corporate insurance coverage—sometimes up to $1 million. But make no mistake: their insurers fight these claims hard.

They often argue:

• The driver wasn’t in the correct rideshare “period”
• Another driver caused the crash
• Injuries are exaggerated or unrelated

The Rideshare Driver

Uber and Lyft drivers still owe a duty of care to:

• Their passengers
• Other motorists
• Pedestrians and bicyclists

If a driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or reckless, they may be directly liable—along with any applicable insurance coverage.

Another Negligent Driver

Many rideshare accidents are caused by third-party drivers. In these cases:

• That driver’s insurance may apply
• Uber or Lyft coverage may still come into play
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be critical

Vehicle Owners or Third Parties

Additional defendants may include:

• The owner of the vehicle (if different from the driver)
• Employers of negligent third-party drivers
• Entities responsible for dangerous road conditions

The Role of Negligence in Uber & Lyft Accident Claims

Duty of Care

Rideshare drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely and reasonably under the circumstances.

Breach of Duty

Common breaches in Uber and Lyft accidents include:

• Speeding to complete more rides
• Distracted driving (app use, GPS, texting)
• Driver fatigue from long hours
• Unsafe lane changes or abrupt stops

Causation

It must be shown that the negligent behavior directly caused the crash and resulting injuries.

Damages

Finally, the injured person must prove real harm, such as:

• Physical injuries
• Financial losses
• Emotional suffering

How Negligence Is Proven in Michigan Courts

Successful rideshare cases rely on evidence such as:

• Police reports
• App and GPS data
• Witness testimony
• Vehicle damage analysis
• Medical records

Uber and Lyft control much of this data—which is why early legal action is critical to preserving it.

Comparative Fault in Michigan Uber & Lyft Accidents

Michigan’s Comparative Negligence Rules

Michigan follows a comparative fault system, meaning:

• You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault
• Your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault

How Insurers Try to Blame Victims

Common tactics include claims that you:

• Weren’t wearing a seatbelt
• Distracted the driver
• Should have avoided the crash
• Contributed to your own injuries

Compensation Available in Michigan Uber & Lyft Accident Cases

No-Fault Benefits

Regardless of fault, you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses (often uncapped for necessary care)
• Wage loss benefits
• Replacement services for help with daily tasks

These benefits are often the first battleground with insurers.

Pain and Suffering Damages

If another party was at fault, you may pursue compensation for:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Trauma and anxiety

Future Medical Care

Serious injuries often require:

• Ongoing treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Long-term care

Future medical costs must be fully accounted for—not minimized.

Lost Earning Capacity

If your injuries affect your ability to work or earn at the same level, you may be entitled to compensation for future income losses.

Permanent Disability and Loss of Enjoyment of Life

When injuries cause lasting limitations, Michigan law recognizes the profound impact on:

• Independence
• Mobility
• Quality of life

No amount of money can undo the harm—but accountability matters.

Rideshare Companies Have Lawyers—So Should You

Uber and Lyft accidents are not “simple crashes.” They involve layered insurance policies, shifting driver statuses, corporate defense teams, and aggressive insurers whose goal is to pay as little as possible—or nothing at all.

In Michigan, insurance coverage depends on precise legal details:
Was the driver logged into the app? Had the ride been accepted? Which No-Fault policy applies first? These questions aren’t technicalities—they determine whether your medical bills get paid and whether you can pursue real compensation for what you’ve been through.

You deserve protection, clear answers, and accountability. Not confusion. Not delay. Not blame-shifting.

At Marko Law, we fight hard—and we don’t back down from billion-dollar rideshare companies or their insurers.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: https://www.markolaw.com/