Synopsis
- According to the University of Chicago, the rate of traffic deaths has increased nearly three percent in cities after the introduction of Uber and similar ride-sharing services.
- Car accidents involving ride-share drivers are similar to the same type of crashes everyday road users face including rear-end and side-impact wrecks.
- A more reoccurring accident type involving ride-share vehicles involves dangerous intersection crashes, likely caused by distracted driving or speeding.
- Uber and Lyft are gaining popularity in Michigan so more car accidents involving these services are likely to occur. Knowing what to do in this situation can drastically change the outcome of a personal injury claim.
Common Types of Uber or Lyft Accidents
New transportation options are becoming extremely popular across the state, including ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft. Unfortunately, there have been a series of incidents involving users of these companies being harmed by its driver’s negligence, resulting in serious motor vehicle accident injuries. The University of Chicago studied the rate of traffic deaths after the introduction of ride-sharing services and noted a nearly three percent increase in fatalities in cities using them.
These types of car accidents are similar to those other road users face and include:
- Hit-and-runs are becoming more common because Uber or Lyft drivers may not have the proper training in what to do in an accident emergency and they become fearful, and selfishly flee the scene leaving victims to fend for themselves.
- T-bone or side-impact crashes are common at intersections, or where a ridesharing driver may be exiting a parking lot or driveway and driving distracted.
- Intersection crashes typically occur because the driver was not paying attention, driving too fast or trying to turn instead of waiting. Michigan has several cities with dangerous intersections where these accidents can easily happen.
- Rear-end crashes occur when the rear driver misjudges the speed of the vehicle ahead or is distracted. This type of accident can result because a ride-share driver is haphazardly pulling off to the side of the road to pick up or unload passengers.
- Sideswipes may have minimal impact, but the effect can be significant as the direction of a vehicle can be altered, causing it to run off the road or into the path of another vehicle.
- Head-on collisions create horrific accident scenes and most always will result in catastrophic injury, serious burns or death to most everyone involved. Drowsy drivers or those under the influence of drugs or alcohol are likely the cause of these violent crashes.
Other ride-share accidents can happen in parking lots, exit ramps and neighborhoods, where drivers become confused about right of way and other factors late at night. Accidents with ride-sharing vehicle can also involve motorcycles, semi-trucks, and non-motorists such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
What to Do in the Event of a Ride Service Accident
In the unfortunate event that you become involved in a Michigan car accident while using a ride service, it’s important to know what to do next. The following is a helpful list of steps created by our car accident injury attorneys at The Offices of Lee Steinberg.
- Stay Put: The first thing to do if you are involved in any type of car accident is to make sure everyone involved stays at the scene. Very often the Lyft or Uber driver will be frightened after a car crash, even if they are not at-fault. They may not want their service provider to know. But don’t give in if they try to drive off. Make sure the driver stays until police arrive. When the police do arrive, make sure you give the responding officer your version of events.
- Contact Police: It is important there is a written record of the car accident prepared following the wreck. This is accomplished by simply calling the police and making sure a police report is filed. Again, don’t let the driver convince you otherwise. A police report helps immensely if injuries are sustained in a car accident and you want to pursue a claim for compensation down the road.
- Gather Evidence: It is a good idea to take photographs or video of the ride-share driver’s car and other vehicles or people involved in the crash to memorialize the damages. This type of documentation can demonstrate the severity and may provide proof of negligence.
- Witnesses: Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Try to ensure they stay until the police arrive so they can explain what they saw too. If they won’t, make sure you get their information and provide it to the police upon their arrival.
- Get the Ride-share Driver’s Insurance Information: Ride-share drivers are required in Michigan to have their own car insurance and to carry proof of insurance with them inside the car. Get this information from your driver. It is also a good idea to take down the license plate number, make and model of the vehicle.
- Seek Medical Treatment: It is important to see a doctor if you think something is wrong. Sometimes, a little problem can become a big problem if left untreated and serious injuries can show up hours, even days after an accident event.
Please keep these strategies in mind so we can assist you in the most beneficial recovery.
What is the Liability Coverage for Ride-hailing Services?
When a ride-share driver is found negligent for causing the accident and you have been hurt, you can file a claim against the them for personal injury. The amounts of liability coverage these drivers are responsible for paying depends on whether a ride is taking place.
For example, during the time the “transportation network company driver” or Uber driver is logged on to the Uber’s digital network, but is not engaged in a prearranged ride, the amount of liability coverage is 50/100, or $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence. However, when the Uber driver is engaged in a prearranged ride, the amount of liability coverage is $1,000,000. In addition, if the at-fault vehicle was underinsured, or the amount of liability coverage that person carries is less than what the injuries stemming from the car accident are worth, you can make a claim against Uber to pay the difference.
Injured in a Michigan Uber or Lyft Accident?
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle that was involved in an accident or hit by one of these drivers, contact the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. at 1-800-533-3733 for a FREE consultation regarding your rights and to learn more about the value of your potential claim.
With offices in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, and Southfield, we are equipped to meet at a location that is convenient for you.
Video Transcript
Uber and Lyft have become a really popular ride-sharing program. And if you’re a passenger in an Uber car or a Lyft car and are involved in an accident, you can get compensation for that – depending on who’s at fault of course. If the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault, you can go through their insurance carrier for compensation. If the other motorist is at fault, you go through their insurance for compensation.
These benefits can include your medical bills, your lost wages, out of pocket costs, as well as reimbursement for family members taking care of you. And these benefits can add up to be quite substantial and you are a beneficiary of these benefits even if you don’t have auto insurance of your own.
If you’re involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you can file a claim for Michigan no-fault benefits and our law firm will walk you through that process.
