Uber gives White Lake residents a convenient and innovative way to travel through town. A few taps on Uber's mobile app, and a driver shows up to take you where you need to go. But what happens when what should be an uneventful ride turns into a terrifying accident? What follows for many car accident victims is a set of new challenges, such as mounting medical bills, missed work, and severe injuries. If you or someone is dealing with the fallout of an Uber accident, a White Lake Uber accident lawyer can stand with you during this trying time.
At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we have decades of experience fighting for injury victims. Our legal team doesn't back down from holding negligent parties to task for the harm they cause. We have a relentless commitment to securing fair compensation for our clients. Furthermore, we won't charge you a single dime unless and until we win your case. Contact our law firm for a free consultation at 248-886-8650 or email us now. Let us know what happened, and we'll tell you how we can help you.
Uber accident cases often involve more complexities than typical car accidents because of the varying ways that insurance companies may be responsible for paying for your losses. There are different ways Uber’s insurance policies apply, depending on at what stage the Uber driver is in when the accident happens. Most of the time, when you get injured as a passenger in an Uber vehicle, you will fall under Period 3, as outlined below. However, other times, you may be in a different vehicle that gets into a collision caused by an Uber driver, in which case any of the following Periods may apply.
The rider is available for a ride request. The minimum coverage is $50,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $100,000 for total bodily injury or death for each accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
The rider accepts the request and heads to their destination. Michigan law mandates rideshare companies to provide at least $1 million in commercial insurance for death, bodily injury, and property damage per incident.
Passenger is in the vehicle and arrive at their location. The same policy coverage required for period 2 applies to this period.
Additionally, Uber drivers must have the following forms of coverage based on Michigan's no-fault insurance benefits system:
The Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has more detailed information about no-fault insurance. Make sure you stay updated so you can remain compliant with the law.
Are Uber rides more dangerous than any other vehicle crash? Not necessarily. According to a 2020 Uber Safety Report, 99.9% of rides were free of safety incidents. Still, ridesharing services face the same potential traffic hazards as other motorists. One primary threat, particularly with rideshare vehicles, is distractions.
Ridesharing networks require drivers to keep their smartphones close at hand. Often, they receive pick-up requests while driving through the streets of White Lakes. Even the slightest glance at a mobile device can result in an accident. Aside from distracted driving, other common causes of Uber crashes include the following:
A car crash can happen at any moment. Whether you're an Uber driver, rideshare passenger, another motorist, or pedestrian, make road safety your top priority. Every little precaution you take helps decrease these risks.
Here is a fictional scenario that can serve as an example of an Uber accident causing injury. Susan is a 28-year-old bank teller going out of town to attend her friend's wedding. She took an Uber to the Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT). Susan was excited one minute, chatting with her best friend about wedding details; the next moment, the unthinkable happened. Screeching wheels, crushed medals, and screaming sirens drowned out her giggles. Sarah woke up in the hospital, bruised, hurting, and disoriented. These types of jarring Uber accident events occur far too often. Now, Susan is left wondering how she will be able to pay her medical bills and when she will be able to return to work at the bank.
Passengers, drivers, and pedestrians can suffer injuries ranging from minor to severe. These often include:
Even worse than this, some people do not survive Uber accidents. While Uber-related deaths are rare, they do happen. Based on data from 2019 and 2020, The Uber U.S. Safety Report cited 20 deaths during that time. But no matter how low the number, we can't ignore the fact that family and friends have been heartbroken by their loved ones's death. Each of those 20 people had families, friends, and visions for their futures.
In 2013, Uber made its debut in The Great Lakes State. In 2016, Michigan was one of the first states to establish statewide laws regulating Transport Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber. Governor Rick Snyder signed bills setting standards for insurance coverage, driver background checks, and vehicle safety. Unfortunately, even the best effort to keep us safe on the road can't entirely prevent Uber accidents from taking place. The silver lining is, injury victims can pursue a personal injury claim against the insurance companies involved. Still, these cases pose specific challenges.
Who's at fault for an Uber wreck? That all depends on the surrounding circumstances and the results of an investigation. One factor that can make these claims complex is that more than one party may be at fault, such as:
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule. This legal concept describes the extent to which each party contributed to the crash. Specifically, a victim must be less than 50% responsible to be eligible to receive any compensation (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2959).
What if a trucker runs a stop sign and hits an Uber driver, but the rideshare driver looked at the navigation system at the point of contact, not noticing the oncoming semi-truck? In this scenario, the Uber driver may be found to be 10% at fault. Their total damages would then be reduced by their percentage of liability.
Rideshare accident victims have the right to recover damages (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.6304). Damages describe the losses you experienced as a result of the accident, including bills, lost wages, and even your suffering. This compensation can help you cover accident-related expenses. State law allows victims to pursue economic and non-economic damages. Here are a few examples:
These damages cover financial losses and help compensate for the negative impact the crash has had on a victim's life. Victims can recover some degree of compensation by filing an insurance claim, but in some cases, particularly where there was a severe injury, pursuing a lawsuit may be the best course of action.
You're coping with severe injuries, the medical bills are coming non-stop, and the insurance company may be giving you the runaround. There's no need to struggle through this experience on your own. Legal representation allows you to get the best results for your claim. A White Lake Uber accident attorney can manage all the legalities while you focus on recovery. Here are the benefits of partnering with an experienced attorney:
Uber and Lyft accident injury claims can get complex. Various issues arise that differ from typical motor vehicle accidents. Factors complicating Uber crashes involve multiple insurance policies, different coverage levels, and identifying who's at fault. It takes a highly trained lawyer to sort through this legal maze.
First, check to see that you and others are safe. Move to a safer spot nearby. Call 911 to report the incident. Take photos or video images of the scene. Get contact details from eyewitnesses, Uber, and others involved in the crash. Visit a doctor to get examined for any injuries. Report the accident to Uber through its mobile app. Finally, consider speaking to an Uber accident lawyer to protect your rights as soon as you can after the accident.
You can sue Uber if you were injured in an Uber vehicle accident. An attorney must resolve various issues for your suit to be successful. For instance, was the rideshare driver at fault and actively engaged in a ride or on the way to pick up a passenger? If yes, Uber's commercial insurance might cover your losses. A personal injury lawyer can review your case at no charge and tell you the best avenue for legal action.
Michigan has a three-year deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit involving an Uber. The date of the accident starts the countdown (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805).
At the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates, you have access to a team of legal professionals who fight to win. Our lawyers and staff have served White Lakes for decades and we have plenty of experience successfully settlement White Lake Uber accident cases. Our aggressive representation has resulted in compensation for our clients exceeding $250 million. As one of the premier law firms in the state, we're ready to fight for you. It's time to take the next step in your ride-share accident claim.
You deserve the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us now at 248-886-8650 or email us for your free consultation.
