Detroit, Michigan, is one of the 30 largest cities in the country by population, which means a lot of vehicles are on the road at all hours of the day. Many of those vehicles are driven by people who work for Uber, the popular ridesharing service. Unfortunately, Uber drivers and passengers are just as likely to be involved in collisions as others, and those accidents can result in serious injuries.
If you are hurt in a Detroit Uber accident and you want to recover compensation for legal damages, you need the expert legal guidance of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. These claims are challenging, especially since establishing liability and the involvement of multiple insurance companies complicate the process.
How Our Detroit Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help
The goal of your claim is to receive maximum compensation so that all your damages are covered. However, this requires winning your case, and your best chance of doing so is with a Detroit Uber accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.
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We offer a free initial consultation so you can make an informed decision about your claim. Then, a Detroit Uber auto accident lawyer from our team will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to establish liability. This will involve consulting experts, gathering evidence, and even speaking to witnesses of the collision.
From there, we will negotiate with the relevant insurance company to ensure fair compensation that addresses all your losses. Though it is rarely needed, your Detroit Uber car accident lawyer will also represent you in court if necessary.
What to Do If You’ve Been in an Uber Car Accident in Detroit, MI
Preparing for a successful claim, whether it is just an insurance policy claim or a personal injury lawsuit, begins the moment the collision occurs. From that point, the actions you take will impact the viability of your claim, as well as your physical health and financial security.
Here are the steps you should take after an accident involving an Uber driver:
- Do NOT leave the scene – Under Michigan law, leaving an accident scene could be a felony if there are injuries or property damage.
- Call 911 – The authorities can alert medical personnel of the accident, investigate the collision, and keep everyone involved safe from other traffic.
- Receive medical care – You should be examined and treated at the scene if needed, but it is also worth scheduling a check-up soon after to look for internal injuries.
- Exchange information – You and the other drivers involved should trade insurance company information and valid driver’s license information.
- Collect evidence – Take photos, speak to witnesses and record their statements, and ask for a copy of the police report.
- Call your insurance carrier – Some insurance carriers require policyholders to notify them within 24 hours of an accident, so consider calling them before you leave the scene.
- Consult one of our Michigan Uber crash lawyers – Schedule your free initial consultation to ask questions about your case.
In 2017, Michigan imposed new regulations on rideshare companies, like Uber, to help regulate these services as they rose in popularity, especially in big cities like Detroit. Some of the provisions under this new law include the following:
- Drivers must have $50,000 of coverage for bodily injury when they are logged into the Uber app;
- If a driver is en route to pick up passengers or already transporting passengers, Uber must provide $1,000,000 of liability coverage per accident;
- Every driver must pass a criminal background check;
- Cars older than 5 years old must pass regular inspections;
- There is a zero-tolerance policy for drivers who operate vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol [1].
Identifying the Faulty Party in Uber Accidents
Receiving fair compensation for damages will depend on your ability to prove negligence in your personal injury case. This requires identifying the at-fault party for your accident. There are several parties that may be liable for your legal damages, including:
- Uber – The rideshare company is rarely liable for accidents since drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. But if it fails to vet a driver properly or reneges on insurance obligations, it could be held liable.
- Negligent Uber driver – The driver could be at fault if they were distracted, impaired, or engaged in reckless driving practices, leading to the accident.
- Other drivers – Drivers in other vehicles can also cause accidents involving Uber vehicles, with disobeying traffic laws and speeding being common causes.
- Pedestrians – People who are standing, walking, or running nearby could be at fault for an Uber crash if they step into the road illegally or throw an object at a vehicle.
- Uber passengers – When drivers transport passengers, those passengers could behave disruptively or inappropriately and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Product manufacturers – Malfunctioning vehicle parts can cause accidents, and injured victims have the right to sue the companies responsible for the defects.
Compensation a Detroit Uber Accident Attorney Can Recover
There is a difference between insurance claims and personal injury claims. Insurance claims only cover a few types of damages, like medical bills and property damage. However, personal injury cases can take into account other damages like non-economic and punitive. Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant behaves with malicious intent.
Economic damages include medical expenses, cost of future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and funeral costs or loss of financial support in a wrongful death claim. Non-economic damages include emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship in a wrongful death claim.
A Detroit Uber rideshare accident lawyer from our team will help you assess damages and determine a fair settlement.
Uber’s Insurance Coverage
Since many insurance companies may be involved in settling your case, it makes the process even more complicated. Rideshare companies do provide additional insurance coverage to their drivers, but only in certain situations.
Which Auto Insurance Company Provides Coverage?
Here is a breakdown of how driver status in the app impacts liability insurance:
- If the driver is offline and not accepting rides – The driver’s personal auto insurance company will provide coverage up to the driver’s policy limits, which includes no-fault benefits. Remember that in Michigan, all drivers must maintain no-fault insurance.
- If the driver is online and waiting for ride requests – Uber provides a supplemental insurance policy of $50,000 for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage liability coverage, which matches the minimum coverage requirements for the state.
- If the driver is en route to a passenger or with a passenger – Uber provides at least $1,000,000 in total liability coverage as mandated by Michigan law.
Is It Better to Settle or Go to Trial?
Most motor vehicle accident cases settle before going to trial. Settlement has advantages, including a shorter legal process, receiving compensation more quickly, and avoiding the stress of lengthy litigation.
Going to trial also has its advantages. It allows you to present evidence, with the help of our Detroit Uber car accident lawyers, before a judge and/or jury for an impartial evaluation of the facts. It is also a promising avenue for pursuing the most compensation for your damages and holding the defendant accountable for their actions.
In either scenario, A Detroit Uber accident injury lawyer from our law firm will significantly increase your chances of success.
The Time It Takes to Settle an Uber Accident Case
The timeline to settle your case will depend on numerous factors but often takes about three months. However, it can also last for a year or more if you have a very complicated claim, a stubborn defendant, or a case that goes to trial. Hiring a representative quickly from our team to provide legal analysis and guidance is the best way to strengthen your claim and reach a settlement as soon as possible.
Contact Our Detroit Uber Accident Attorneys Today!
Protecting your legal rights and pursuing compensation are top priorities after an accident involving an Uber vehicle. You have the right to recover damages, and a strong claim is the key to doing so. Our Detroit car accident lawyers are ready to stand by your side in your fight against the defendant, their lawyers, and even the insurance adjusters to ensure compensation covers all of your damages. Our team has recovered millions for past clients, and we also work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if and when we win your case.
Call our law firm today at 888-424-5757 for your free consultation. You can also fill out the online form, and someone from our team will get back to you promptly.
Resources: [1] Michigan.gov