Minnesota Rideshare Passenger Crash? Get Legal Help

After a Rideshare Crash: First Steps

Your health comes first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, get medical attention, and cooperate with law enforcement. If you can, record the rideshare driver’s name, license plate, app trip details, and insurance information. Take photos of vehicles, the scene, and your injuries. Save the trip receipt in the app and report the crash to the rideshare platform. Avoid detailed statements to insurers until you understand your rights.

Who Pays? Understanding Rideshare Insurance in Minnesota

Coverage depends on the driver’s status in the app. When a driver is carrying a passenger or is en route to a pickup, the rideshare platform’s policy is often the primary liability coverage. When the app is on and the driver is available but has no passenger, lower contingent coverage may apply. If the app is off, the driver’s personal auto policy typically applies. Minnesota law requires specific auto coverages, including uninsured/underinsured motorist and personal injury protection, for vehicles operating here (Minn. Stat. § 65B.49). Minnesota’s no-fault chapter also includes provisions addressing transportation network company (TNC) driver insurance (Minn. Stat. ch. 65B). The exact layers and primacy can depend on the platform’s current policy terms and the facts of the crash, so review the applicable policies carefully.

Minnesota Is a No-Fault State: What That Means for Passengers

Minnesota’s no-fault system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits for reasonable medical expenses and certain economic losses without regard to fault (Minn. Stat. § 65B.44). As a passenger, PIP may be available through your own policy, a household member’s policy, or the vehicle’s policy, depending on priority rules (Minn. Stat. § 65B.47). You may still pursue a claim against an at-fault driver if you meet Minnesota’s tort thresholds (for example, a minimum level of medical expense, permanent injury, disability for a specified period, disfigurement, or death) (Minn. Stat. § 65B.51).

Fault, Evidence, and the Role of Police Reports

Police crash reports, vehicle damage, witness statements, medical records, and available app data (such as route, timestamps, and speed telemetry) can help establish what happened. Preserve evidence early: keep all correspondence, screenshots, and bills. An attorney can send preservation letters to the rideshare company and insurers to help safeguard data that might otherwise be lost.

Common Injuries and Damages

Passengers often suffer soft-tissue injuries, concussions, fractures, and back or neck injuries. Recoverable damages can include medical bills, wage loss, replacement services, out-of-pocket costs, and, when legally permitted, pain and suffering. Available insurance limits and fault allocation affect recovery.

Dealing With Insurers

Expect multiple insurers to be involved: the rideshare platform’s carrier, the driver’s personal insurer, and policies for any other drivers. Provide basic notice but be cautious with recorded statements or broad medical authorizations. Insurers may quickly request app screenshots or medical releases—consider consulting counsel before signing.

Practical Tips to Protect Your Claim

Passenger Post-Crash Checklist

Why Legal Help Matters

Rideshare cases combine Minnesota no-fault law, third-party liability, and platform-specific insurance tiers. An attorney can identify all available coverages, meet notice requirements, coordinate PIP, pursue bodily injury claims, and negotiate with multiple carriers. If needed, counsel can file suit and work with experts such as accident reconstructionists and medical professionals.

Timing Considerations

Minnesota law sets deadlines for injury claims and no-fault benefit procedures, and notice requirements may vary by policy and claim type. Because timelines can be short and exceptions may apply, consult an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation

• Police report number
• App trip receipt/screenshots
• Photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries
• Medical records and bills
• Health and auto insurance cards
• Employer wage information
• Any communications from insurers or the rideshare platform

FAQ

Does my own PIP apply if I was a rideshare passenger?

Often yes. Minnesota priority rules may route PIP through your policy first, then a household member’s, and then the vehicle’s policy, depending on the facts.

Can I recover if the at-fault driver is uninsured?

You may access UM/UIM coverage through applicable policies, including the rideshare platform’s policy when its coverage is triggered.

Will pursuing PIP hurt my bodily injury claim?

No. PIP addresses basic economic losses regardless of fault. A separate liability claim may be available if you meet tort thresholds.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Deadlines vary by claim type and policy. Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing critical notice and limitation periods.

Should I talk to the rideshare insurer without a lawyer?

Provide basic notice only. Avoid recorded statements and broad authorizations until you obtain legal advice.

Ready to talk?

If you were hurt as a rideshare passenger in Minnesota, we are here to help. Contact us for a free consultation.

Sources

• Minn. Stat. § 65B.44 (Basic economic loss benefits)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.47 (Priority of security for payment of benefits)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.49 (Mandatory coverages, including UM/UIM)
• Minn. Stat. § 65B.51 (Tort thresholds and liability)
• Minn. Stat. ch. 65B (No-Fault Automobile Insurance; includes TNC-related provisions)

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and policy terms change and outcomes depend on specific facts. If you were injured in Minnesota, consult a Minnesota-licensed attorney about your situation.