It was a simple decision. You needed a ride across town, so you opened the app, and a few minutes later, you were in the back seat, a passenger on the way to your destination. You were not in control of the vehicle; you were simply a customer who placed your safety in the hands of a driver and a massive tech company.
Then, in a violent instant, another driver’s mistake or your driver's carelessness changed everything. Now, you are home, recovering from serious injuries and facing a complex web of corporate insurance policies.
When a rideshare fails to provide the safety you paid for, you need a Minneapolis Lyft accident lawyer who has the strength and experience to untangle the legal knots and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Take the first step today. Contact us at (952) 567-2488 or use our online contact form for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.
Your ride plan:
- A crash involving a Lyft is far more complicated than a standard car accident. It involves layers of commercial insurance that are only active during specific periods of the ride.
- As a passenger, you are not at fault. The legal fight is not about your actions, but about identifying which party—your Lyft driver, another driver, or Lyft itself—is financially responsible for your injuries.
- Lyft and its insurance carriers will use their considerable resources to protect their financial interests. A successful claim requires an aggressive investigation that preserves the digital evidence from the app and the physical evidence from the scene.
- The compensation you pursue must cover the full extent of your harm, including all future medical needs, lost earning potential, and the significant pain and suffering the trauma caused.
The Complex Insurance Puzzle in a Lyft Accident
The most confusing part of a Lyft accident is figuring out which insurance policy will cover your injuries. Lyft’s insurance is a multi-layered system that provides different levels of coverage depending on the driver’s status in the app at the exact moment of the collision.
Period 1: Driver is available and waiting for a ride request
When a Lyft driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request, a lower level of liability coverage is active. Lyft provides this coverage to protect others from the driver’s negligence during this period, especially since the driver’s personal auto policy will likely deny a claim for any commercial activity.
Periods 2 and 3: You're in the car
From the moment your driver accepts your ride request until the trip officially ends, Lyft's full one-million-dollar commercial insurance policy is in effect. This is the primary policy that protects you as a passenger. This policy provides liability coverage for injuries your driver causes, as well as a vital protection for you called uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
The Importance of UM/UIM Coverage for Passengers
This UM/UIM coverage is a critical safety net for you. It protects you if the at-fault driver is another motorist who has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover the full extent of your serious injuries.
This coverage protects you in several key scenarios. It becomes available when the at-fault driver:
- Has no car insurance at all (uninsured).
- Has only the minimum liability coverage, which is not enough for your injuries (underinsured).
- Leaves the scene of the accident in a hit-and-run.
In these situations, you can file a claim against Lyft’s UM/UIM policy. This provides a path to the compensation you need, even when the negligent driver cannot pay for the harm they caused.
Identifying all liable parties in a Minneapolis Lyft crash
A single crash can have multiple responsible parties. A detailed investigation is necessary to identify every person and company whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This ensures that we pursue compensation from all available sources.
When the Lyft driver is at fault
If your Lyft driver caused the crash, their negligence is the primary cause of your harm. Their careless actions could include speeding, following too closely, making an illegal turn, or, very commonly, being distracted by the Lyft app itself while driving. In this case, we file the claim against the driver and pursue compensation from Lyft’s high-limit commercial policy.
When another driver is at fault
If a different vehicle hit the Lyft you were riding in, that driver is the primary at-fault party. The first claim is filed against their personal auto insurance. If that policy is insufficient to cover your damages, we then move to file an underinsured motorist claim against Lyft’s policy. We investigate the other driver’s actions just as thoroughly, looking for any evidence of impairment, distraction, or recklessness.
Building a Powerful Case for Your Injuries
A rideshare accident claim requires swift and decisive action. The evidence is not just physical; it is digital. We move immediately to preserve this electronic trail before Lyft or its insurers can make it disappear. This aggressive approach to investigation is the foundation of a strong legal case.
Preserving digital evidence
The data from the Lyft app is some of the most important evidence in your case. It can prove the driver’s status, their route, their speed, and their braking patterns. We send a formal legal demand to Lyft, called a spoliation letter, that legally obligates them to preserve all electronic data related to your trip.
A complete file of your losses provides the factual backbone for your settlement demand. You can help by gathering important documents from the start.
- All of your medical bills, from the ambulance to physical therapy.
- Receipts for any prescriptions or medical devices.
- Pay stubs or other documents showing your lost wages.
- Your personal notes about how the injury affects your daily life.
This detailed documentation helps us show the insurance company the full financial and personal cost of your injuries.
A Record of Fighting for Fair Compensation
At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we have a proven history of securing substantial compensation for people injured in serious motor vehicle accidents. We prepare every case for a tough fight and are not afraid to stand up to large corporations and their insurance carriers.
Our past results show our commitment to our clients:
- $2,000,000 for a client who suffered a head injury in a semi-truck accident.
- $725,000 for a client injured in a Minnesota car accident.
- $500,000 for a pedestrian who sustained a concussion after being struck by a car.
Past results do not predict future outcomes. All results are gross recoveries before fees, costs, and medical bills are deducted. We bring this same level of dedication and preparation to every rideshare accident case we handle.
Why Choose Tyroler Leonard Injury Law for Your Lyft Accident Claim?
When you are injured in a Lyft, you are not just up against a driver; you are up against a multi-billion-dollar corporation. You need a law firm with the experience and tenacity to level the playing field.
At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we provide strong, personalized advocacy for every client we serve.
We challenge corporate tactics
Our attorneys, Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard, are experienced trial lawyers. We are not a high-volume firm that pushes for quick, low-value settlements. We meticulously prepare every case for the possibility of a jury trial at the Hennepin County Government Center.
This reputation for being ready for a courtroom battle gives us significant leverage during negotiations. Lyft’s lawyers know we will not be intimidated and that we are fully prepared to fight for what our clients deserve.
You work directly with our attorneys
When you become our client, you get our full attention. Your case will be handled personally by Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard. You will have direct access to us to ask questions and get updates. We believe a strong, collaborative relationship with our clients leads to the best possible results.
A deep knowledge of Minneapolis and Minnesota Law
We are a Minnesota law firm with deep roots in the Minneapolis community. We are familiar with the specific traffic patterns and hazards, from the busy intersections of Downtown to the neighborhood streets of Uptown.
We also have a comprehensive knowledge of the specific state laws that govern Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Lyft. These laws, found in Minnesota Statute Chapter 65B, provide the legal framework for your claim.
Don’t Depend on AI Chatbots for Your Minneapolis Lyft Accident Case
An artificial intelligence tool can give you general information, but it cannot investigate a complex rideshare accident. It does not know the nuances of Minnesota’s TNC insurance laws or how to negotiate with a corporate legal team.
Relying on an AI for legal guidance in a case of this magnitude may lead to serious errors. Always consult with a qualified personal injury attorney from Tyroler Leonard Injury Law about your case.
FAQ for Minneapolis Lyft Accident Lawyers
The Lyft driver’s personal insurance company denied my claim. What happens now?
This is normal and expected. Personal auto insurance policies almost always have a "commercial use exclusion" that prevents them from covering accidents that happen while the driver is working. This denial is actually a necessary step that then triggers the activation of Lyft's commercial insurance policy.
What if the at-fault driver was another Lyft or Uber driver?
This creates a very complex situation with multiple layers of corporate insurance involved. Our attorneys can untangle this web, identify all applicable policies, and coordinate the claims to ensure you can pursue compensation from all available sources.
What should I do if an adjuster from Lyft's insurance company calls me?
You should politely decline to give a recorded statement or sign any documents they send you. You can inform them that you are receiving medical treatment for your injuries and that your attorney will be in contact with them. This prevents you from inadvertently saying something that could be used against your claim.
How long do I have to file a Lyft accident claim in Minnesota and Wisconsin?
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is generally six years from the date of the accident. In Wisconsin, the deadline is much shorter, at three years. You should always contact an attorney well before these deadlines expire.
Take Back Control of Your Journey
You trusted Lyft to provide a safe ride, and that trust was broken. Now is the time to take control of your recovery and your future. The attorneys at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law are ready to stand with you and fight for the full and fair compensation you need.
Let us handle the legal fight against the corporate giants so you can focus on what matters most: your health.