*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
Uber and Lyft provide a highly convenient means of transportation at a moment’s notice. However, Uber and Lyft accidents can cause serious injuries to both rideshare passengers and others on the road. Evidence suggests that ridesharing services cause an increased volume of vehicles in Minneapolis, as well as an increased likelihood of crashes, injuries, and deaths.
Minnesota state laws protect Uber and Lyft accident victims, just like any other type of traffic accident victims. Therefore, you may be entitled to compensation if you are injured in a crash involving a ridesharing vehicle.
Consult a trusted Uber and Lyft accident attorney in Minneapolis, MN, to understand your rights and how to pursue compensation for your losses. The legal team of Schmidt & Salita Law Firm is ready to help.
A rideshare company is an entity that connects drivers with vehicles for hire with passengers using mobile and web applications. The service allows people to use their personal vehicles to drive others around the city for money, similar to a taxi service, but with several important differences.
*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
There are six licensed ridesharing companies in Minneapolis:
Here’s the typical experience during ridesharing:
Minnesota laws do not consider Uber and Lyft commercial vehicles. Even so, the legislature has enacted laws that regulate the insurance and activities of application-based ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft.
However, it’s unlike standard taxis, which operate under a different set of regulations prescribed by the state. The rules of ridesharing companies are more lenient because the system was designed to circumvent taxi regulations by connecting private drivers with others for rides.
The Minnesota ridesharing program sets out uniform insurance requirements for all drivers, regardless of their ridesharing company. When a driver is logged into the ridesharing app and available to accept a passenger, they are under the insurance protection of the ridesharing company, at least partially. However, the insurance protection doesn’t take full effect until a driver accepts a ride through the app.
Therefore, Lyft and Uber drivers must maintain their own insurance coverage to cover accident-related losses when they are not actively engaged in ridesharing.
Here is the minimum auto insurance coverage for individual drivers in Minnesota:
This insurance coverage can be minimal, so knowing when the rideshare company’s insurance applies is critical.
You should take specific steps after a ridesharing accident to prevent further injuries and protect your right to compensation.
If safe, move yourself and the vehicle involved in the crash to the side of the road. In addition, contact 911 if anyone else has sustained an injury. Take caution to prevent further injuries and to minimize additional damage.
A motorist or driver should report a crash to a law enforcement officer if involved in a collision with the following:
Regardless of the above requirements, informing the police about a crash is helpful to your claim. When a law enforcement officer arrives at the scene, they will generate an accident report that can be helpful in filing a personal injury claim.
If you’re injured in an Uber and Lyft accident, that’s not your fault; make sure you have evidence of how the crash occurred. Information on how the collision occurred can be evidence to help obtain compensation from the at-fault party.
Take steps to obtain the following information when possible:
Collect as much information as possible because most sources of information disappear soon after the crash.
Always seek immediate medical attention if you feel anything unusual following a collision. You might have serious and obvious injuries, or you might feel pain and stiffness, and wonder whether you need to see a medical professional. The answer is yes, as they can diagnose injuries that are not immediately apparent to you.
Additionally, a healthcare provider will document your injuries by creating medical records you can rely on to file a claim against the at-fault party. These records will help prove your injuries and the compensation you deserve.
You might get calls soon after the accident from insurance or rideshare company representatives. Do not provide detailed information or agree to settle for any amount of money before you have a rideshare accident lawyer evaluate your case. These companies want you to settle for much less than you deserve before you have a chance to hire a lawyer. Instead, politely decline the conversation and advise them you will refer all communications to your Minneapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.
Many injured victims have the right to seek compensation from the insurer of the at-fault party. However, this process is usually challenging and frustrating, to say the least, as rideshare companies and insurers do not want to easily pay what you deserve. It’s no secret that working with an Uber and Lyft accident attorney can increase the chances of a positive outcome.
Therefore, you should seek an attorney’s advice immediately after the crash. Working with a car attorney from Schmidt & Salita Law Firm can bring the following benefits to your case:
An injured victim must prove the other party’s fault to obtain compensation for their losses. You must also demonstrate that the actions or inactions of another party caused the crash and the collision contributed to actual harm and losses.
An Uber and Lyft attorney will work with investigators to collect crash footage, compile eyewitness statements, and analyze vehicle damage. Based on their findings, an attorney can establish the extent of your loss and file an insurance claim.
Crashes involving ridesharing companies are complicated. An attorney understands the applicable ridesharing laws and the instances when the ridesharing companies are liable for your losses. Without the legal advice of an attorney, you may not realize your full right to compensation.
When you enlist the services of an attorney who fully understands ridesharing laws, you increase the odds of obtaining maximum compensation for your losses.
Insurers often take advantage of injured victims by making low settlement offers and implying they are acceptable. They may also deny or delay legitimate insurance claims. An attorney will evaluate the facts of your case and calculate the value of your claim.
Based on the estimated value of your damages, an attorney can evaluate any settlement offered by the insurer. Most importantly, they will use their skills and knowledge to negotiate a settlement offer that addresses the full extent of your losses.
While many injured victims obtain fair compensation from insurance companies after negotiations, some are forced to litigate their matters in court. If the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to acknowledge liability, you may need to file a lawsuit.
You can also file a personal injury lawsuit if the at-fault party only offers a low settlement that doesn’t cover your losses. A personal injury lawsuit is an opportunity for a fair hearing before a judge or jury.
You need a skilled litigator handling your claim in case it leads to a lawsuit.
Like all vehicle crashes, different parties may be responsible for the crash. Some of the parties who may contribute to an Uber or Lyft accident include:
Minnesota is a no-fault state, so you can pursue a claim with your own PIP coverage no matter who was to blame. However, in the case of serious injuries, liability will play a critical role in seeking the additional compensation you need.
An injured victim can initiate a personal injury claim against the negligent driver’s insurer when their expenses exceed their no-fault coverage. Different people can suffer injuries in Uber and Lyft accidents, including:
Sometimes, injuries in Uber and Lyft happen for other reasons, such as assault by the rideshare drivers. No matter how your injuries occur, always discuss your rights with our firm today.
I understand how overwhelming this can be. Let me handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery and getting back to normal.
You may seek the following types of damages if injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, depending on your circumstances:
Economic damages refer to the financial losses you incurred due to your injuries. You can put a specific value on economic damages because they represent a tangible loss. Examples of losses covered by economic damages include:
In addition to monetary damages, there are still extensive losses without an inherent dollar value. Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible losses an injured victim sustains from the accident. There are various non-economic damages you can obtain in an Uber or Lyft accident, including:
Since non-economic damages lack a direct dollar value, insurers use various methods to calculate how much compensation to offer. The multiplier method is a typical example, involving a factor ranging between 1.5 and 5, based on the nature and severity of the injury.
Suppose a victim of an Uber accident sustained a spinal cord injury that caused permanent paralysis. In that case, they may qualify for a higher multiplier for pain and suffering damages associated with their injury than someone with a fracture that healed in a few months.
A judge or jury may award you punitive damages if the defendant’s actions showed an extreme disregard for your safety. As its name suggests, the role of punitive damages is to punish the defendant for their negligence. It also serves as a deterrent to prevent the defendant and others from engaging in the misconduct that led to the injury.
After a rideshare accident, you might be struggling with injuries and financial concerns. You do not have to add the legal process to your list of stresses, as you can put that in the hands of a Minneapolis rideshare lawyer from Schmidt & Salita Law Firm.
Contact us online or at (952) 234-8540 to schedule a free consultation. We are ready to help.
Dean Salita is a seasoned Personal Injury lawyer with over 30 years of experience, specializing in workplace injuries and occupational diseases like asbestos-related illnesses. He’s the chair of the Minnesota Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation section and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer with an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Dean is dedicated to providing personal, compassionate legal support to his clients, guiding them through trials and the legal process.
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Google Review Schmidt Law Firm is so much more than the usual out for their back pocket firm they are a group of truly caring people. I was hit by a car & have memory loss. I don’t know how many times they all had to go over and over the same thing with me. They even gave me reminder calls for my doctors appointments. When things were so overwhelming I would call and all I could do is cry and they listened and never once complained or cut me short. Doug and Vanessa were all very helpful so was the rest of the staff. God Bless them all. By the way they got me a lot more than I had hoped for. You really don’t want to be on the opposing side of the table of Doug, he will rip you before you know he did it and he does it in such a nice way.
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When you schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Minnesota, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address. Some of the common questions clients ask us are:
Yes, in almost all cases, having an attorney is crucial to protect your rights and secure the settlement you deserve. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team is here to guide you through the entire process, from collecting evidence to handling medical bills and lost wages. We’ll help you gather medical records and reports to support your claim, determine the value of your case, and negotiate a fair settlement. If needed, we’re prepared to file suit and take your case to court to ensure the best possible outcome.
It’s very important to start collecting evidence right away to support your case. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team will help obtain accident reports, interview witnesses, and work with treating doctors to ensure you get the proper medical care. We’ll also handle communication with insurance adjusters. Delaying the decision to hire an attorney can lead to lost time and missed opportunities. We’re here to guide you through the process from the start, ensuring you have the best chance for a successful outcome.
Many people worry about the cost of legal fees, but with Schmidt & Salita Law Team, your first consultation is free. We handle most Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you won’t pay attorney fees unless there’s a settlement. If we win, you’ll only pay a percentage of the settlement for fees and costs, ensuring you never end up “in the hole.” This system is often called “No fees until you recover” and works like a real estate agent’s commission—paid only when you win.
It’s crucial to hire an attorney with experience in Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Wrongful Death claims. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team brings over 160 years of combined experience, handling thousands of cases, including auto accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and more. Our team is dedicated to providing personal service and treating you like more than just a case number. We believe in a team approach to ensure the best possible outcome and your satisfaction every step of the way.
Most Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation cases typically take at least a year or more to settle, and some can take even longer. This is mainly due to medical reasons, as it takes time to determine the permanent nature of an injury. Doctors or Chiropractors are often better equipped to assess the permanency of your injury. Once we have medical evidence, we compile all necessary documents and submit a settlement demand to the insurance company. The negotiation process can take several months, and if an agreement isn’t reached, we may need to file a lawsuit.
The value of a Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation case depends on several factors. These include the degree of fault of the responsible party, the severity of your injuries, pain, and permanent disability, as well as medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The financial ability of the at-fault party, often determined by insurance coverage, also plays a role. Schmidt & Salita Law Team, with over 160 years of combined experience, is here to help you evaluate the worth of your case and guide you through the process.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (952) 473-4530
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Dean M. Salita, with more than 30 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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1600 Hopkins Crossroad
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Phone (952) 473-4530
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