Whether you’re the passenger, the driver, or the other motor vehicle involved in an accident involving a ridesharing company there is a whole batch of unique concerns that will come up as opposed to a normal Minnesota auto accident.
Rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, and their insurance companies are trying to evolve policies that can create appropriate coverage options for riders, drivers, and passengers. If you are injured in any way involving a rideshare vehicle, you should absolutely hire a rideshare attorney who is experienced in handling claims against Uber and Lyft.
Liability issues in rideshare claims can cause delays or diminish your settlement without the guidance of an attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident or a Lyft accident, call the Sand Law Office for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. You can reach us at (651) 362-4143 or through an online contact form.
Minnesota Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Representing Passengers and Drivers
At Sand Law, we have successfully handled numerous Uber and Lyft cases and gained maximum compensation. Their insurance carriers are well aware of our reputation for aggressively handling Uber car accidents and Lyft accident injury claims.
“We offer representation to people injured in Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare accidents throughout Minnesota.”
Everyday Minnesotans entrust their safety and the safety of loved ones to ride sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. Although these companies offer convenient means of travel, they are not always the safest means of travel. Uber and Lyft drivers are constantly focusing on information being relayed from their cell phones, which often distracts their driving.
Unfortunately, these distractions can result in painful and sometimes fatal consequences. Texting and driving is illegal in Minnesota, however, the technology used by rideshare drivers like Uber drivers and Lyft drivers can create a similar distraction as texting.
Our team of Minnesota rideshare accident lawyers can guide you through what to do after an Uber accident to protect your rights.
What is a Rideshare Company?
Rideshare companies (aka Peer-to-peer ridesharing) are driver-for-hire services that use smartphone apps to connect freelance drivers who use their personal vehicles to transport passengers. The growing popularity of companies like Uber and Lyft is mostly due to the simplicity of use convenience, and price.
One simply pulls out their phone, requests a ride, and within minutes they’re on their way. The app handles everything: requesting rides, directions, payment, tips, concerns, sharing your location, etc. The convenience knows no bounds.
But, like all new technology, there are also some serious concerns about how these rideshare services operate, how they hire and vet their drivers, and how they protect their customers if there’s an accident.
Do I Have the Right to Sue if I Have Been Injured in a Minnesota Rideshare Accident?
Minnesota law affords people who have been injured by the wrongdoing of others to be compensated for their injuries. If you have been injured by the wrongdoing of another, you must protect your right to compensation and must act within the applicable statute of limitations.
Do not allow insurance companies to bully you into settling a claim without the assistance of an experienced attorney. Ensure your right to seek compensation by contacting our experienced Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident attorneys today. We have a history of getting results for our clients.
Does Minnesota Consider Uber or Lyft Commercial Vehicles?
No. Over the last few years, laws have been created that regulate the way app-based rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft operate and are insured. Commercial transportation vehicles, like standard taxis, must be covered through strict policies governed by their state.
Since Uber and Lyft are not considered commercial taxi companies, they are not subjected to the same requirements and oversight. When the rideshare app model was invented, it basically circumvented taxi regulations by claiming they were just a smartphone app that connects people with other people willing to give them a ride.
With pressure mounting due to numerous rideshare accidents across the US, Uber and Lyft adopted insurance coverage for drivers that kicks in once they have accepted and picked up a passenger.
Are Uber or Lyft Drivers Required to Carry Insurance?
Minneapolis, St. Paul, and many other cities and states across America, have passed ordinances requiring rideshare companies to have $1 million in commercial insurance policies for Uber and Lyft drivers who exclusively use these smartphone apps to get fares. However, that coverage does not take effect until the rideshare driver accepts a ride request through the app.
Click here for more information on Minnesota’s laws regarding rideshare companies.
What Type Of Compensation Can I Recover For My Minnesota Uber Accident Claim?
When pursuing a Minnesota Uber accident claim, it is essential to understand the various types of compensation that may be recoverable. These can include:
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering accounts for physical and emotional distress caused by the accident. This can encompass pain, anxiety, and trauma. The aim is to alleviate the non-economic toll of the injuries the victim sustained.
Disabilities Created as a Result of an Injury: Compensates for any long-term disabilities or impairments resulting from the accident that may impact the victim’s ability to work or lead a normal life.
Disfigurement: Covers compensation for any visible scarring, disfigurement, or physical alterations resulting from the accident that may have a lasting impact on the victim’s physical appearance and self-esteem.
Embarrassment: This type of compensation addresses the emotional distress and embarrassment caused by physical changes or limitations resulting from the rideshare car accident. These challenges can influence the victim’s quality of life and mental well-being.
Emotional Distress: Accounts for the psychological impact of the accident. This may include depression, anxiety, fear, and other emotional challenges stemming from the trauma and aftermath of the incident.
Loss of Consortium (Comfort, Care, or Companionship of a Loved One): This type of compensation extends to the spouse or family members of the victim. It accounts for the loss of companionship, care, and emotional support due to the injuries suffered.
Economic Damages in Rideshare Accident Claims
Medical Expenses: Covers the costs of medical treatment. This may include hospital bills, rehabilitation, medications, surgery, and any other necessary medical care resulting from the accident.
Past Lost Wages: Addresses compensation for any income lost due to the inability to work during recovery from the accident. It includes wages the injured party didn’t earn while they recuperated.
Future Lost Wages: Accounts for the potential earnings that the victim may have received had the accident not occurred. It compensates for the impact on their future earning capacity due to the injuries they sustained.
Funeral Costs: If the accident resulted in a fatality, this compensation covers the expenses for funeral arrangements and related costs.
Loss of Future Economic Support: Compensates for the financial contribution that the victim would have provided to their family or dependents had they not been injured in the accident. This recognizes the impact of their injuries on their future financial support.
By examining the range of potential compensation available, you can navigate the claims process with greater clarity. Additionally, you can make informed decisions regarding your legal recourse.
The Benefits of Having a Minnesota Rideshare Accident Lawyer Represent You
After being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, it is essential to enlist the help of a qualified attorney to protect your rights and pursue compensation for the damages incurred. Here are some ways that a Sand Law LLC Lyft and Uber accident attorney can help:
- Provide knowledgeable legal guidance: A qualified rideshare accident attorney can assess the facts of your case and help you understand your options. Additionally, they can provide knowledgeable legal guidance tailored to your precise needs and circumstances.
- Conduct a thorough investigation: An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate the Uber or Lyft accident thoroughly. Then, they will gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. Their goal is to help you receive the maximum compensation possible.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies may try to offer a lowball settlement to minimize their payout. However, an expert attorney can handle the negotiations for you. They will work to secure a fair settlement that adequately reflects the financial and emotional damage you incurred.
- Represent your interests in court: If your claim requires litigation, your attorney can expertly represent your interests in court. They will argue persuasively on your behalf, and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you genuinely deserve.
Working with a proficient Minnesota Lyft and Uber accident attorney at Sand Law LLC can alleviate the burden of dealing with complex insurance and legal matters. That way, you can focus on your recovery and get your life back on track.
Book a Free Consultation With a Skilled Minnesota Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Our office handles rideshare injury cases throughout Minnesota. Call us at 651-291-SAND or email us for your free consultation with our Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident attorneys. Let us meet with you for free to review your case. We can offer you sound legal advice about your Uber or Lyft injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Minnesota Uber accident lawyer cost?
At the Sand Law Office, we offer representation on a contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee. You would literally pay nothing. However, that is not the desired outcome for anybody except the negligent party’s insurance company.
If we recover financial compensation for your Minnesota personal injury case, Sand Law charges the same fee that every personal injury firm in Minnesota charges: 33 to 40% of your settlement amount. We charge 33% if we settle your case before trial, most often through negotiations. Alternatively, we charge 40% if the case goes to trial, meaning a lawsuit is filed with the Minnesota courts.
Is hiring a Minnesota Uber and Lyft accident attorney worth it?
Although insurance companies would have you believe that a personal injury attorney is not necessary and just ends up taking some of your well-deserved money, they only say this because it is in their best interest. A study by an insurance research group IRC found that, on average, injury victims who did retain a lawyer won 3.5 times more money than injured parties who faced the insurance companies alone.
Let’s do some simple math.
If you got a settlement for:
- $10,000 on your own, or
- $35,000 by using an attorney,
then you would end up with–after 33% in attorney fees–about $25,000.
$35,000 x 66% = $23,100
Even after paying the attorney, you still made out with more than twice what you would have on your own. Insurance companies want you to represent yourself for one simple reason: You know nothing about personal injury law and they work on personal injury cases everyday. It is that simple.
Can I still drive for Uber or Lyft if I make a claim?
Uber and Lyft drivers often worry about bringing a claim against the rideshare company they work for. many are afraid of losing their means of income. These drivers rely upon Uber or Lyft for income to take of their themselves and their families. However, there is good news.
If you bring a valid injury claim under the insurance policy from Uber or Lyft, you will not be penalized. Both Uber and Lyft pay their insurance companies for the expressed purpose of covering these incidents. Therefore, they have no reason to take this out on their drivers.