Beat Insurers: Minnesota Rideshare and Pickup Passenger Injury Claims
If you were injured as a passenger in Minnesota, you may have multiple insurance paths: no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP), the rideshare company’s primary liability coverage when the app is on and during a trip, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This guide outlines coverage stages, key evidence, and how attorneys position claims under Minnesota law.
Who’s Covered After a Passenger Injury in Minnesota
Minnesota is a no-fault state. Most injured passengers first access PIP for medical bills and certain wage loss without proving fault. Eligibility and benefits are set by statute, including basic economic loss benefits and who pays first. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.44 and § 65B.46, with priority rules at § 65B.47.
As a rideshare passenger, the transportation network company (TNC) must ensure primary liability insurance is in place when the driver is logged in and during a prearranged ride. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.472. If you were riding in a privately owned pickup, your PIP and the at-fault driver’s liability coverage may apply. After PIP, fault-based claims against the responsible driver (or TNC coverage during an active ride) may be pursued where Minnesota’s tort thresholds are met. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.51. Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can fill gaps if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.49.
Rideshare Coverage Stages (App Off, Waiting, En Route)
- App off: Only the driver’s personal auto policy is generally in play.
- App on, waiting for a ride: Primary liability coverage meeting statutory minimums must be in place while the driver is logged in and available. See § 65B.472.
- Ride accepted through drop-off: The TNC must provide substantially higher primary liability limits for a prearranged ride (including when a passenger is on board). See § 65B.472.
- Proving status: Your lawyer can obtain app status logs and telematics to trigger the correct policy layer.
Pickup Truck Passenger Claims
Pickup trucks are often used for both work and personal tasks, which can affect insurance. If the pickup was used for business, a commercial auto policy may apply. If it was towing, carrying equipment, or modified, specialized coverages or exclusions may be implicated. Evidence about ownership, permitted use, and any employer connection helps identify the right insurer and policy limits.
No-Fault PIP Benefits: What They Typically Cover
PIP generally pays reasonable medical expenses, a portion of wage loss, and certain replacement services up to policy limits, regardless of fault. The amounts, caps, and eligibility are set by statute and your specific policy. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.44 (basic economic loss benefits) and priority rules at § 65B.47. Your attorney coordinates PIP to keep bills paid while developing any fault-based claim.
Meeting Minnesota’s Threshold for Pain and Suffering
To recover non-economic damages in a motor vehicle case, Minnesota law requires meeting statutory injury thresholds, which may include a minimum amount of medical expenses, permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, disability for a qualifying duration, or death. Because thresholds are fact-specific, early legal review helps preserve your rights. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.51.
Key Evidence That Moves the Needle
- App status and trip data from the TNC (ride acceptance, pickup/drop times)
- Police report, 911 audio, traffic or dash cam footage
- Photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and rideshare in-app screens
- Medical records linking symptoms to the crash and documenting functional limits
- Employment and wage records, gig platform statements, or tax documents for lost income
- Vehicle ownership, business use, and employer information for pickup trucks
- Insurance declarations pages (PIP, liability, UM/UIM) and any denial letters
Practical Tips
- Request the rideshare trip log and driver status history early to lock in the correct coverage layer.
- Keep all treatment consistent and attend follow-ups; gaps in care invite insurer challenges.
- Photograph app screens, vehicles, and injuries the same day if possible.
- Route medical billing through PIP first to avoid collections and preserve negotiations.
What To Do Right Away
- Get medical evaluation and follow the treatment plan
- Report the crash in the rideshare app (if applicable) and to your insurer
- Save ride receipts, app screenshots, and communications
- Do not give recorded statements to adverse insurers without counsel
- Track out-of-pocket costs and missed work
- Contact a Minnesota injury attorney to coordinate PIP and any liability claims
Common Insurer Tactics—and How We Respond
- Early low offers before full diagnosis: We document the full course of care and future needs.
- Disputes over app status: We demand TNC telematics and driver logs.
- Minimizing crash forces: We use photos, repair estimates, and medically grounded opinions.
- Blaming preexisting conditions: We obtain comparative histories and treating physician causation letters.
- Arguing threshold not met: We marshal evidence on medical complexity, duration, and functional impact.
How an Attorney Helps You Beat Insurers
We identify all coverage layers (PIP, TNC liability, UM/UIM, and any employer or commercial policies), secure time-sensitive digital evidence, protect you from insurer statement traps, and present a damages package that satisfies Minnesota’s legal thresholds. If an insurer will not pay fair value, we are prepared to litigate and, when appropriate, use experts in crash reconstruction, vocational loss, and future medical care to prove your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which insurance pays first?
Typically, PIP pays first for medical bills and certain economic losses, based on statutory priority rules. Fault-based claims proceed against the responsible driver or applicable TNC coverage after. See § 65B.44 and § 65B.47.
What if multiple drivers share fault?
Minnesota’s comparative fault statute can apportion responsibility among drivers; your recovery may be adjusted accordingly. See Minn. Stat. § 604.01.
Are rideshare drivers considered employees?
Driver classification can affect some legal theories, but Minnesota’s TNC statute imposes mandatory insurance duties for logged-in periods and prearranged rides regardless. See § 65B.472.
What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or flees?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply, and underinsured motorist (UIM) can address low policy limits. Prompt notice and proof of hit-and-run circumstances are important. See § 65B.49.
Do deadlines vary?
Yes. Insurance notice requirements and legal filing deadlines vary by facts, coverages, and parties involved. Speak with Minnesota counsel promptly to preserve your rights.
Next Steps
If you were injured as a rideshare or pickup passenger in Minnesota, get a focused review of your coverage and evidence. Contact us to start your claim strategy today.
Sources
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.44 (Basic economic loss benefits) (accessed 2025-08-19)
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.46 (Persons entitled to basic economic loss benefits) (accessed 2025-08-19)
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.47 (Priority of security for payment of basic economic loss benefits) (accessed 2025-08-19)
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.49 (Required coverages; UM/UIM) (accessed 2025-08-19)
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.472 (Transportation network company; insurance) (accessed 2025-08-19)
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.51 (Damages; tort thresholds in auto cases) (accessed 2025-08-19)
- Minn. Stat. § 604.01 (Comparative fault) (accessed 2025-08-19)
Disclaimer
This blog is for general information only and is not legal advice. Minnesota laws and deadlines change and depend on specific facts. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a Minnesota attorney about your situation.