Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Michigan: Know Your Rideshare Rights

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have changed the way Michiganders get around. Whether you’re headed home from a Tigers game in Detroit or commuting across Ann Arbor, tapping a screen for a ride has become second nature. But when an accident happens, what comes next is anything but simple.

Were you a passenger in an Uber when the driver crashed? Did a Lyft car hit you while you were walking or biking? Are you a rideshare driver injured by another reckless motorist?

The confusion hits fast—and so do the insurance headaches.

Meanwhile, you're left injured, out of work, and stressed beyond belief. We've seen rideshare victims in Michigan blamed, ignored, or buried in paperwork, all while billion-dollar companies protect their image—not your well-being.

That’s where we come in.

Who’s Legally Responsible in a Rideshare Crash?

Michigan’s Comparative Fault System

Michigan operates under a comparative fault system, which means:

• More than one party can be legally at fault
• Your compensation may be reduced based on your share of the blame
• If you’re more than 50% at fault, you may lose your right to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering

This matters in rideshare crashes because:

• Uber or Lyft drivers may share fault with another driver
• Passengers may be caught in the middle of two conflicting insurance companies
• Multiple vehicles can mean multiple layers of legal complexity

At Marko Law, we dig deep to uncover the full story and fight hard to reduce your share of alleged fault—maximizing what you’re owed.

Uber & Lyft’s Tiered Insurance Coverage

One of the biggest challenges in rideshare crash claims? Understanding when Uber/Lyft are actually on the hook. Their coverage depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash:

• App Off: The driver’s personal insurance applies. Uber and Lyft are not involved.
• App On, No Ride Accepted: Limited liability coverage from the rideshare company (usually $50K/$100K/$25K).
• Ride Accepted or Passenger Onboard: Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.

But here’s the trick—they’ll do everything they can to claim the driver wasn’t “on the clock” or wasn’t using the app correctly to dodge liability.

We know their playbook. We know how to prove the driver’s status and lock in the coverage you deserve.

What If Multiple Parties Are at Fault?

In many Michigan Uber and Lyft crashes, liability isn’t clean-cut. You may have:

• A negligent Uber driver
• A speeding third-party driver
• A distracted passenger causing disruption
• A company vehicle with failed brakes

In these cases, it’s not just about proving who caused the crash—it’s about holding every responsible party accountable. That includes:

• Filing third-party claims
• Navigating subrogation and contribution issues
• Pressuring Uber/Lyft’s insurers and independent drivers' insurers to pay their fair share

At Marko Law, we coordinate the chaos. We identify every liable party, challenge lowball offers, and fight to make sure no one escapes responsibility.

Michigan No-Fault Insurance and Rideshare Accidents

PIP Benefits: Who Gets What in a Rideshare Situation?

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is the part of Michigan auto insurance that covers:

• Medical expenses
• Wage loss
• Replacement services (like help around the house)

But in a rideshare crash, who pays PIP benefits depends on your role:

• Rider/Passenger: Your own auto insurance (if you have it) typically pays first. If you don’t have coverage, Uber or Lyft’s PIP policy may step in.
• Uber/Lyft Driver: If you’re logged into the app or transporting a passenger, you may be covered under Uber/Lyft’s commercial policy—but not always.
• Pedestrian/Bicyclist Hit by Rideshare: PIP may come from your household auto policy—or the driver’s commercial coverage if you don’t have one.

Don't assume you're covered. These companies bank on confusion. That’s why talking to a lawyer immediately is critical.

How Your Policy Coordinates with Uber/Lyft’s Insurance

If you have your own Michigan auto insurance, it may:

• Coordinate with Uber/Lyft’s policy to determine who pays first
• Contain exclusions for “commercial use,” especially if you’re a driver

For passengers or pedestrians, Uber/Lyft’s insurance is often secondary—meaning you’ll have to exhaust your own PIP benefits first.

If you're an injured driver, Uber/Lyft might argue you're not entitled to their coverage at all unless strict app use conditions are met. We know how to prove those conditions and make your claim stick.

Michigan’s Auto Insurance Reform: What Changed?

Michigan’s 2019 No-Fault reform changed how much PIP coverage drivers can choose. This directly impacts:

• How much medical care is covered after a rideshare accident
• Whether Uber or Lyft’s PIP fills in the gap
• Your rights if you're seriously injured and your PIP limits run out

Fewer benefits mean more out-of-pocket costs—unless you can hold the at-fault party accountable in a third-party claim. That’s where our legal team steps in.

What Uber and Lyft Cover—And When

App Off = No Help from Uber or Lyft

If the driver wasn’t logged into the app at the time of the crash:

• Uber and Lyft provide zero coverage
• The driver’s personal auto insurance is the only policy in play
• If the driver was using their car for personal reasons, their own PIP and liability limits apply

Don’t let the driver (or their insurer) claim the app was off when it wasn’t. We know how to subpoena digital records to prove it.

App On, No Ride Accepted = Limited Liability Coverage

If the driver had the app on and was waiting for a ride request:

• Uber and Lyft provide limited third-party liability coverage:
  
  • $50,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 for property damage
• This only kicks in if the driver’s personal insurance refuses coverage or is insufficient

This tier is where most coverage disputes and delays happen. Insurers may point fingers, argue app timing, or deny claims entirely.

En Route or Transporting Passenger = $1 Million in Coverage

Once a ride is accepted and until the passenger is dropped off:

• Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage
• This includes uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
• Covers third-party injuries, property damage, and sometimes even your own driver injuries

This is the best-case coverage scenario—but getting them to honor it still requires legal firepower. They will look for loopholes to reduce or avoid payment.

Gaps and Exclusions That Could Jeopardize Your Claim

Uber and Lyft’s policies are loaded with:

• Exclusions for unauthorized or off-platform driving
• Loopholes around app activity timestamps
• Conflicts with your personal insurance (especially for drivers with limited or no coverage)

If you wait too long, speak to an insurer without legal counsel, or can’t prove the driver’s status, you could lose access to major compensation.

What to Do After a Rideshare Crash

Call 911 and Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your injuries seem minor, call 911. Police reports create official documentation of the crash, and EMTs can evaluate hidden injuries like:

• Concussions
• Whiplash
• Internal bleeding

Delaying care gives insurance companies ammo to question your injuries. Don’t give them that chance.

Take Screenshots of Your Rideshare App Activity

If you were a passenger:

• Capture your trip screen
• Save your ride receipt
• Screenshot the driver’s profile and vehicle info

These digital records prove the driver was “on the clock”—crucial for triggering Uber or Lyft’s $1 million coverage.

Get Names of Drivers, Passengers, and Witnesses

• Get full names, phone numbers, and license plate numbers
• Ask any witnesses to stay and speak with police
• If you’re able, record a quick video statement on your phone from them

Memories fade. People disappear. Solid contact info can mean the difference between a closed case and a winning claim.

Photograph the Scene and Vehicle Damage

Take wide and close-up shots of:

• All vehicles involved
• Street signs, skid marks, debris
• Your injuries (if visible)
• Weather conditions or traffic signals

This helps us recreate the crash scene and disprove the other side’s version of events.

Contact an Attorney Before Talking to Any Insurance Company

The first call you get from an insurance adjuster will sound helpful—but it’s not. Their job is to minimize payouts, twist your words, or pressure you into settling fast.

Don’t talk to them until you talk to us.

At Marko Law, we’ll deal with Uber, Lyft, their insurers, and yours. We’ll protect your rights and build a powerful claim from day one.

Contact Marko Law – Get the Power and Protection You Deserve

Uber and Lyft may have billion-dollar insurance teams. You have something stronger—a legal team that fights like hell for real people.

Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or a rideshare driver injured in a crash, you shouldn’t be left with the bills, the stress, or the silence. At Marko Law, we don’t just help you navigate the legal mess—we help you get your life back.

We know how to investigate these cases. We know how to deal with corporate insurers. And we know how to win.

📞 Phone: 1-833-MARKO-LAW or 1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 www.markolaw.com