Uber & Lyft Passenger Help: Top Minnesota Injury Lawyer Tips

First Steps After a Rideshare Crash

Your safety comes first. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or traffic is blocked. If it’s safe, move to a secure location. Request medical evaluation even if your symptoms seem minor—concussions and soft-tissue injuries can appear hours or days later.

Exchange information with all drivers involved and any witnesses. Take photos or video of vehicle positions, license plates, damage, roadway conditions, and visible injuries. Save ride details in the Uber or Lyft app (driver name, vehicle, trip receipt, time, and route).

Report the Incident Promptly

Report through the rideshare app as soon as you can and describe injuries. If police respond, ask how to obtain the accident report number. Notify your own auto insurer promptly even if you were a passenger; many policies require timely notice and may provide benefits that coordinate with other coverage.

Medical Care and Documentation

Follow through on medical treatment and keep copies of visit summaries, imaging, prescriptions, and work restrictions. Note all symptoms and how they affect daily activities. Keep a log of missed work and out-of-pocket expenses. Consistent care and documentation help support the injury claim and clarify causation and damages.

Understanding Insurance Layers in Minnesota

Multiple insurance policies may apply in a rideshare crash. In Minnesota, personal injury protection (PIP) is generally the first layer for medical expenses and certain wage loss, regardless of fault (Minn. Stat. § 65B.44). Which policy pays PIP first is governed by priority rules—often your own auto policy first; if none, other priorities may apply (Minn. Stat. § 65B.47).

Coverage beyond PIP can include the rideshare company’s liability policy and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage associated with the trip, and potentially your own UM/UIM (Minn. Stat. § 65B.49; Minn. Stat. § 65B.472). The availability and limits vary with the driver’s status (waiting for a request, en route to pickup, or transporting a passenger). Minnesota sets specific insurance requirements for transportation network companies that change based on these stages (§ 65B.472).

Who May Be Responsible

Fault can involve multiple parties: another at-fault driver, the rideshare driver, or a combination. Minnesota applies a comparative fault system, which can affect recovery if multiple parties share responsibility (Minn. Stat. § 604.01). Evidence such as dashcam footage, electronic trip data, traffic cameras, and witness statements can be critical to apportioning fault.

Preserving Evidence

• Save the ride receipt, in-app messages, and any screenshots. If you have photographs, back them up.
• Keep damaged personal items. If injuries are visible, take dated photos over time.
• Avoid posting details about the crash or injuries on social media.
• If you receive calls from insurers, note the date, company, and adjuster, and consider consulting counsel before providing recorded statements.

Working With Insurance Adjusters

Be accurate and concise. Provide factual information without speculation about fault or medical prognosis. Do not sign blanket medical authorizations without understanding their scope. Coordinate benefits carefully to avoid duplicate payments or gaps. An attorney can help identify all available coverages and sequence claims appropriately.

Common Damages in Passenger Claims

Compensation may include medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services, and, when applicable, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The availability and amount can depend on injury severity, duration of symptoms, impact on daily life, and applicable policy limits.

Note: Minnesota’s no-fault law includes thresholds that often must be met before recovering certain non-economic damages from an at-fault driver (for example, medical expense thresholds or specified disability/permanency criteria). See Minn. Stat. § 65B.51. Your attorney can explain how these thresholds may apply to your situation.

When to Consult a Lawyer

Consider legal counsel if injuries are more than minor, fault is disputed, multiple insurers are involved, benefits are denied or delayed, or a settlement is offered quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries. A Minnesota injury lawyer can preserve evidence, handle insurer communications, and ensure claims are filed within required timeframes.

Practical Tips Specific to Rideshare Passengers

• Use the app to confirm the driver’s identity and vehicle before entering.
• After a crash, avoiding trip cancellation usually helps preserve the in-app record.
• Politely ask your driver to wait for law enforcement if safe to do so.
• If you change phones or emails, update your app account so notices and records aren’t lost.
• Keep mileage or appointment logs related to medical treatment and therapy.

How a Minnesota Injury Lawyer Helps

We evaluate fault, identify all applicable insurance, coordinate PIP, liability, and UM/UIM claims, and pursue fair compensation. We obtain and analyze crash reports, medical records, billing, and carrier communications. We negotiate with insurers and, when appropriate, file suit and litigate your case in Minnesota courts.

Questions about a rideshare injury? Contact us at /contact for a free consultation.

FAQ

Do I use my health insurance or auto PIP first?

In Minnesota, PIP generally applies first for eligible medical expenses after a motor vehicle crash. Health insurance may coordinate after PIP. Specifics depend on your policies.

Should I report the crash in the app even if police came?

Yes. Report in the app and keep confirmations. The in-app record helps link the incident to the trip.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

UM/UIM coverage associated with the rideshare trip and potentially your own UM/UIM may apply, subject to policy terms and limits.

How soon should I talk to a lawyer?

As early as possible if injuries are more than minor or multiple insurers are involved. Early guidance helps protect your claim and preserve evidence.

Will talking to the adjuster hurt my claim?

Provide accurate facts but avoid speculation or recorded statements without understanding the implications. You can ask the adjuster to communicate in writing or through your attorney.

What if symptoms show up days later?

Seek prompt medical evaluation and document the onset and progression. Delayed symptoms are common with certain injuries and should still be reported.

Are there deadlines?

Yes. Reporting and claim deadlines vary by coverage and facts. Act promptly to protect your rights.

Can I recover for pain and suffering?

Possibly, if Minnesota’s tort thresholds are met and fault/liability support such a claim. An attorney can assess your eligibility.

Will my rideshare account be affected if I file a claim?

Filing an injury claim does not typically affect account access, but keep communications professional and factual.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

Many injury lawyers offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee, meaning no fee unless there is a recovery.

Legal sources

• Minn. Stat. § 65B.44 (Basic economic loss benefits)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.47 (Priority of benefits)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.49 (Required coverages, including UM/UIM)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.472 (Transportation network company insurance)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.51 (Tort thresholds and damages)
• Minn. Stat. § 604.01 (Comparative fault)

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information for Minnesota rideshare passengers and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and deadlines can change and may vary by situation—consult a Minnesota attorney about your specific case.