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Minnesota Uber And Lyft Accidents

Rideshare Uber Lyft Accident Attorneys in St Paul Minnesota - Sand Law LLC

Minnesota Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Representing Passengers and Drivers

Whether you’re the passenger, the driver, or the other motor vehicle involved in an accident involving a ridesharing company there is 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 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 ridershare vehicle, you should absolutely hire a rideshare attorney who is experienced handling claims against Uber and Lyft. 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 accident 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.

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.

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 ride, directions, payment, tips, concerns, sharing your location, etc. The convenience know no bounds. But, like all new technology, there are also some serious concerns about how these 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 that 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.

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; or we charge 40% if the case goes to trial, meaning a lawsuit is filed with the Minnesota courts.

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 the best interest. A study by an insurance research group IRC found that, on average, injury victims that 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.

Are Uber or Lyft considered commercial vehicles?

No. Over the last few year, 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 requirement and oversight.

When the rideshare app model was invented, it basically circumvented taxi regulations by claiming they were just a smartphone app the connects people with other people willing to give them a ride.

With pressure mounting due to numerous 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 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 that exclusively uses 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?

  • Pain and Suffering
  • Disabilities Created as a Result of an Injury
  • Disfigurement
  • Embarrassment
  • Emotional Distress
  • Medical Expenses
  • Past Lost Wages
  • Future Lost Wages
  • Funeral Costs
  • Loss of Consortium (Care, comfort, or companionship of a loved one)
  • Loss of Future Economic Support

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, for fear 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 and have now reason to take this out on their drivers.

Where Does The Minnesota Uber Accident Lawyer Practice?

Our office handles rideshare injury cases throughout Minnesota. Call us at 651-291-SAND or email us for your free consultation. Let us meet with you for free to go over your case and give you legal advice about your Uber or Lyft injury claim.