If you’ve suffered a serious injury in an accident with a Grand Rapids Uber or Lyft driver, you might be facing growing medical bills and wondering if no-fault insurance will cover them—or what to do if personal injury protection (PIP) benefits aren’t enough. A skilled Grand Rapids rideshare accident lawyer can help. With decades of experience, our personal injury law firm has helped injured rideshare clients recover fair compensation—and we can help you too.
What Is a Rideshare Under Michigan Law?
Rideshares—transportation network companies (TNCs)—by Michigan law refer to transporting passengers for payment through platforms like Uber or Lyft. Using personal vehicles, independent contractors (not employees) provide rideshare services by connecting with passengers via digital apps, offering an alternative to taxis and public transportation.
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 several PIP coverage levels from a choice of many insurance companies, which pay for medical expenses up to the selected amount, along with lost wages, attendant care, and some funeral expenses. For severe injuries, such as those from rideshare crashes, victims may seek compensation in personal injury cases for additional damages (if they are less than 50% at fault).
If I’m a Rideshare Passenger in an Accident in Michigan, Whose PIP Covers Me?
In Michigan, if you’re injured in an auto accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, your PIP insurance covers your rideshare accident injuries. If you don’t have auto insurance, then the no-fault benefits that cover you come from other insurance companies in the following order of priority:
- The passenger’s own auto policy
- The passenger’s spouse’s auto policy
- The no-fault policy of a family member that resides with the injured passenger
- The no-fault policy from the insurance company that covers the rideshare vehicle
Do I Need a Lawyer in Michigan’s No-Fault System?
When you suffer serious injuries in a no-fault insurance system like Michigan’s, you may be able to pursue fair compensation beyond your own PIP insurance coverage and no-fault benefits. An experienced attorney with in-depth knowledge of no-fault insurance can help determine if you have a valid rideshare accident claim.
Serious Injuries in Grand Rapids Rideshare Vehicle Accident Cases
MCL – Section 257.58c defines injuries that qualify as a serious impairment of a body function that may be grounds for pursuing additional damages beyond benefits from no-fault insurance benefits after a rideshare car accident and may include:
- Severe physical injuries, including the loss or loss of use of limbs (such as hands, feet, fingers, or thumbs)
- Vision or hearing loss, as well as impairments to bodily functions
- Conditions like comas lasting more than 3 days or measurable brain or mental impairments
- Serious physical trauma, including visible disfigurement, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and substantial bone fractures
- Loss of organs or internal injuries like subdural hemorrhages or hematomas
Compensation for Seriously Injured Rideshare Accident Victims
In a personal injury lawsuit following a rideshare accident that results in serious impairment of a body function, additional damages beyond those provided in no-fault insurance claims may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering compensation, and more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Case in Grand Rapids, MI?
Under Michigan personal injury law, the statute of limitations for a motor vehicle accident is three years—starting from the date of your accident.
Contact Our Grand Rapids Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident in Grand Rapids due to an at-fault party’s distracted driving or reckless driving, we’re here to help you recover compensation. Reach out to our personal injury law firm today for a free consultation with a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer.
(312) 223-1700