Lyft and Uber first became legal in Minnesota in 2014, beginning with regulations as recognized transportation network companies (TNC) in the city of Minneapolis.
Since then, companies such as Uber and Lyft continue to expand services throughout the state, which contributes to the number of ridesharing-related traffic accidents.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a rideshare accident in Minnesota, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to collect damages for costs associated with your injuries.
Florin|Roebig rideshare accident attorneys can help with the claims process, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Are Passengers Covered In Minnesota Rideshare Accidents?
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft must carry liability coverage for drivers and passengers alike in the event of an accident that leads to personal injury or property damage.
The liability insurance coverage begins from the moment a rideshare driver pairs with a passenger on the app and ends when the ride is complete.
If you were hurt in a rideshare crash, you may be able to seek compensation to cover medical bills and other accident-related expenses, like lost wages during recovery.
And an experienced Lyft or Uber accident lawyer can help you file your personal injury claim.
What Are Your Legal Options After Being Injured In An Uber Or Lyft Accident?
If you are involved in a rideshare accident, you should seek medical attention immediately.
After being treated, it’s in your best interest to contact a Minnesota rideshare accident attorney to see what your legal options are for making a claim.
If you were injured by a rideshare driver actively taking a passenger to a destination, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the rideshare service.
If you were injured by a rideshare driver while they were on the clock, but not transporting a passenger (ie. a driver looking for a passenger), you may be able to file an injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Speaking with a car accident attorney, even before consulting your insurance company and/or agent, can increase the potential for a fair payout.
What To Know About Uber And Lyft Accident Claims In Minnesota
In the state of Minnesota, rideshare accident claims fall under personal injury law. This area of law takes into account two issues: negligence or strict liability and damages.
Strict liability claims can be made regardless if the rideshare driver or service is negligent.
For accidents that involved a negligent driver, your claim will need to prove that the rideshare driver and/or service:
- Had a duty to protect others
- Breached that duty
- The breach of duty caused the injury
- The injury resulted in recoverable damages
Why File A Personal Injury Claim After A Rideshare Accident?
Filing a claim is to your advantage and allows you to be financially compensated for your damages or any losses you may have incurred as a result of the accident.
Not only does filing a claim help you, but it may also benefit others who may use the rideshare service in the future.
Legal claims against these services set a precedent and force these companies to evaluate their individual drivers’ abilities, increase safety protocols, and provide training courses and education to prevent future accidents.
Is The Rideshare Driver Always Liable In An Uber Or Lyft Accident?
The Uber or Lyft driver is not always held liable in a rideshare accident that leads to injury. Here are some reasons why.
If the Lyft or Uber driver was not the at-fault driver at the time of the accident, and if they were following all traffic laws, it’s unlikely they will be held liable for any resulting injuries or property damage.
Similarly, if extenuating factors, like unsafe road conditions, were at play, the rideshare driver may also not be considered liable — so long as they were not acting negligently.
If the Uber or Lyft driver was a negligent driver in the crash, they will most likely be held liable for the accident.
While rideshare companies are required to carry personal insurance, they are typically covered by Uber or Lyft’s insurance policies in the event of a crash, even if they were at fault.
Will Lyft Or Uber Drivers Be Deactivated For Getting Into An Accident?
Uber and Lyft both tend to deactivate any drivers who get into a motor vehicle accident that leads to serious injury (such as a traumatic brain injury) for passengers or other motorists.
Deactivating a driver’s account means they will no longer be allowed to pick up passengers and drive for Uber or Lyft.
While rideshare companies typically investigate the accident during the deactivation period, most drivers are never re-activated.
Minnesota Rideshare Accident Laws
In addition to statutes on negligence, which are considered in all personal injury cases, other laws may come into play for rideshare accident claims.
Minnesota’s statute of limitations (time period a person has to file a claim) allows claims to be made within two years from the date of your injury, according to the Minnesota Statutes section 541.07.
Minnesota Statutes section 65B.472 details regulations for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. Among other details, this statute states that:
- TNCs must inform their drivers that the driver’s personal auto insurance policy likely won’t cover them during rides.
- TNCs must provide insurance coverage for drivers from the time of being engaged for a ride pickup through dropoff of a passenger.
- TNCs must inform drivers that using a vehicle with a lien on it may violate terms of the contract with the lienholder.
Insurance Requirements For Rideshare Drivers In Minnesota
Cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul were the first to require rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft to carry a 1 million dollar commercial insurance policy.
Now, the state of Minnesota requires all transportation network companies to provide insurance coverage while the driver is logged into the digital network (app) or while the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride (pick up of a passenger).
How Much Insurance Coverage Is Available To Rideshare Drivers?
While on the app but not engaged in a ride, minimum Minnesota rideshare insurance coverage requirements for drivers are as follows:
- Not less than $50,000 for bodily injury or death for one person
- Not less than $100,000 for bodily injury or death for two or more people
- Not less than $30,000 for property damage
How Does Rideshare Insurance Work In Minnesota?
Insurance coverage kicks in for prearranged rides once a passenger is picked up. While TNCs provide this coverage, most also require drivers to carry additional coverage through their own insurance company.
However, most personal insurance policies do not provide coverage for business purposes — Lyft and Uber drivers must purchase additional coverage that kicks in while they are driving for the rideshare company.
Their personal insurance will not be in effect while driving for rideshare purposes.
Drivers are required to have not less than $1,500,000 worth of coverage in the case of death, bodily injury, or destruction of property for when they are engaged in a ride with a passenger, according to Minnesota Statutes section 65B.472.
Damages Awarded For Lyft And Uber Accident Injury Claims
Many types of damages may be awarded in a rideshare accident personal injury claim, depending on the type of injury you sustained in the accident, the extent of your injuries, the financial impact of your injuries on your life, and other factors.
Common types of damages awarded for rideshare accident claims in Minnesota include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (current or future wages)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (care from a loved one)
- Funeral or burial expense
- Loss of normal life
What Can Affect A Rideshare Accident Case Settlement?
The amount and type of compensation you receive will depend on a variety of factors, such as:
- Type of injury — how you were injured (head and brain injury, neck and back injury, spinal injury, soft tissue injury, broken bones, burns)
- Extent and severity of injury — if you had serious injuries and if you will see long-term effects are both factors that can affect your payout
- Job or skill set — whether the injury will affect your working ability
- Earning capacity/age — how old you are and if you’ll be able to return to work and perform the job at the same earning capacity as prior to the injury
- Activities you cannot participate in — how the injury affects your day-to-day routine with your family, daily household tasks, personal care/hygiene
- Vehicle damage severity — extent or property damage to the vehicle
Every claim is different, and only an experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you evaluate your claim to help you understand what you can expect to receive.
Causes Of Lyft And Uber Accidents
Rideshare accidents, like all auto accidents in Minnesota, can occur due to a number of factors.
Not all accidents will lead to a claim, but an experienced attorney can help you figure out whether you have reason to file a claim.
Here are some common causes of car accidents that lead to personal injury claims:
- Speeding: driving faster than the posted speed limits
- Aggressive driving/road rage: losing control of emotions and driving dangerously
- Driving recklessly for the road conditions: driving too fast in dangerous road conditions (snow/ice) or construction zones
- Inattentive drivers: not paying full attention to surroundings
- Driver fatigue: taking a shift when too tired to drive
- Failure to obey traffic lights and signs: disregarding signs that prompt them to stop
- Tailgating: driving too close to the vehicle ahead
- Failure to maintain a safe vehicle: not doing routine vehicle maintenance or making necessary repairs
- Deadheading: causing congestion or blocking traffic, cars, or pedestrians in a heavily populated area while trying to locate a passenger
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Facts On Rideshare Accidents In Minnesota
Rideshare accidents have been on the rise over the last decade, and Minnesota is no exception.
Traffic-related deaths have increased three percent since people started using rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft.
And the state of Minnesota saw an increase in traffic-related deaths overall in 2020, with 394 fatal accidents — the highest number since 2015, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Car accident rates for Minnesota include:
- An increased amount of rideshare vehicles are now operating throughout Minnesota than in the past decade.
- The most common factors involved in multiple-vehicle accidents in Minnesota in 2020 were road conditions, failure to yield the right of way, and following too closely.
- The top driving behaviors cited in the most fatal crashes were speeding, lack of seat belt use, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
Do I Need To Hire A Rideshare Accident Attorney?
It’s not required to have an attorney represent you for a personal injury case, yet you may want someone who is on your side when you file your claim.
Insurance companies are frustrating and complicated to work with, act in their own best interest, and will often offer significantly less compensation to quickly settle a claim.
Being represented by experienced personal injury lawyers will benefit you, as they are knowledgeable with Minnesota rideshare law, work hard to establish a strong client relationship, and can fight for the best potential outcome.
Minnesota Rideshare Accident FAQs
If you still have questions about ridesharing claims in Minnesota, find answers to common questions below.
What Happens If My Lyft Or Uber Gets Into A Car Accident?
If you’re the passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident in Minnesota, you’ll be covered for injuries or property damage.
Both Uber and Lyft have their own policies regarding crash reporting. While you need to first report the crash to the rideshare company, it may be in your best interest to contact a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer as well.
Rideshare companies and insurance companies alike will protect their own interests and may try to offer you a settlement that is far lower than what your claim is worth.
Can I Sue A Lyft Or Uber Driver For Getting Into An Accident?
Most personal injury claims settle out of court, meaning you’ll receive a payout for the injury-related costs due to the accident.
If your claim doesn’t settle, you can sue either the Lyft or Uber driver, or the company they drive for.
Which party you sue will depend on a number of factors, which is why it’s a good idea to work with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer, who can help you determine who to bring your lawsuit against.
When Do I Need A Car Accident Lawyer For A Rideshare Injury Claim?
Rideshare accident cases are complex, because rideshare companies and the laws that govern them are relatively new, and also because multiple parties are involved.
You may need a lawyer to help with your claim if you are offered a lowball settlement by Uber or Lyft, if the rideshare company dismisses or dodges your claim, or if you cannot reach a favorable settlement in court.
List Of Minnesota Rideshare Accident Attorneys
Don’t take on rideshare services and insurance companies by yourself. Hiring an attorney for a rideshare accident is an important decision.
You will want an experienced attorney who will be there for you, provide sound legal advice, and guide you through the entire legal process.
Our team at Florin|Roebig is dedicated and committed to helping clients achieve the results they deserve.
With an office based in Minneapolis, we serve clients throughout the state of Minnesota, and with multiple awards in the legal industry, including being named to the Best Lawyers in America list, our reputation precedes us.
Our Minnesota-licensed attorneys offer legal representation to people like you who have been injured by rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft.
The attorneys at Florin|Roebig licensed to practice in Minnesota are:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G. Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Nicholas S. Costantino
- John J. Hart
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Legal Help Today For Your Rideshare Accident Claim
If you were involved in a rideshare accident, contact the experienced legal team at Florin|Roebig.
Our rideshare accident attorneys are experienced in car accident cases and can provide a free case evaluation to discuss what your claim is worth. Call today to get started.
