Rideshare Accident Attorney in St. Clair County

Your Local Team for Lyft & Uber Accident Claims in St. Clair County

An Uber or Lyft crash can upend your life in minutes. Medical visits, missed paychecks, and pushy insurance calls tend to arrive faster than answers. If your collision happened in St. Clair County, whether along I-94 or I-69, on M-29 near the river, or through downtown Port Huron, local rules and Michigan’s no-fault system make these cases different from ordinary fender benders.

Rowling, Partipilo & Winston helps injured passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and rideshare drivers pursue the compensation they need after an Uber or Lyft accident. Our team knows the local roads, insurers, and courts and understands how rideshare insurance and Michigan no-fault coverage interact in real cases.

Call (810) 676-9447 now for a free rideshare crash consultation.

Uber and Lyft crashes in St. Clair County: how claims work

Rideshare collisions involve multiple insurance layers and overlapping rules. The coverage that applies depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash.

When the rideshare app is off, the driver’s personal auto policy generally applies. When the app is on and the driver is available for rides, rideshare-sponsored liability coverage is typically in place, though limits may be lower than during an active trip. Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft ordinarily provide higher-limit liability coverage. This is separate from Michigan no-fault benefits, which may come from your own policy or another source, depending on your situation.

Michigan no-fault basics in a rideshare case

After any motor vehicle crash in Michigan, many injured people first look to no-fault benefits for medical bills, limited wage loss, and related costs. Where those benefits come from can vary based on your policy selections, your household, and the role you had in the crash. If you were a rideshare passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist, your own no-fault coverage or another policy in the legal order of priority may apply. If you were driving for a rideshare platform, there may be coordination questions between your policy and the company’s coverage. Because the rules are technical and deadlines are strict, it is smart to have a rideshare accident attorney review your documents early.

Pain and suffering and other damages

If another party negligently caused the crash and your injuries meet Michigan’s legal threshold, you may bring a liability claim for pain and suffering and other losses against the at-fault party, which can include a rideshare driver, another motorist, or additional responsible parties. Property damage and mini-tort issues are handled separately. A lawyer can help identify all potential sources of recovery and keep each claim on track.

Who may be responsible in a rideshare accident

Determining fault is fact-intensive. Potentially responsible parties can include:

• The rideshare driver, for unsafe maneuvers, distraction, or speeding
• Another negligent motorist who struck the rideshare vehicle or caused a chain reaction
• A commercial vehicle operator with unique safety obligations
• A parts or maintenance provider, if a defect or negligent repair contributed
• In limited circumstances, a public entity for dangerous roadway conditions, subject to notice and immunity rules

Evidence that strengthens your case

Robust documentation can shorten negotiations and improve outcomes. Useful items include:

• App screenshots, ride receipts, and timestamps showing driver status and trip details
• The police report, bodycam or dashcam video when available, and scene photographs
• Medical records linking the collision to your injuries and treatment plan
• Witness names and contact information
• Employment records showing missed work and job-duty limitations
• Vehicle damage photos and data from event recorders in qualifying vehicles

What to do after an Uber or Lyft crash in St. Clair County

Taking a few deliberate steps can protect your health and your claim.

1. Call 911 and get medical care
   Report the crash and accept evaluation. If symptoms develop later, schedule a same-day visit with urgent care or your physician. Keep all discharge papers and referrals.
2. Photograph the scene
   Take wide and close-up shots of the vehicles, intersection, traffic signals, skid marks, and visible injuries. Capture weather and lighting conditions.
3. Save rideshare information
   Screenshot your trip details, driver name, and plate, and messages in the app. Email yourself the ride receipt.
4. Identify witnesses
   Get names and phone numbers for anyone who saw the impact or events immediately before it.
5. Notify insurers, carefully
   Report the collision to your insurer and, if you were a passenger, through the app. Provide facts, not assumptions about speed or fault. Decline recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer until you have legal guidance.
6. Speak with a rideshare accident lawyer in St. Clair County
   An attorney can coordinate no-fault benefits, preserve evidence, and communicate with multiple insurers so you can focus on healing.

Common scenarios we handle

Rideshare cases come in many forms. Our team routinely helps with:

Injured rideshare passengers

Passengers often face questions about which policy pays medical bills and how to pursue pain and suffering. We identify coverage efficiently and push for full compensation.

Other motorists struck by a rideshare vehicle

If an Uber or Lyft driver hit you, we analyze driver status to access the appropriate insurance layer and build liability through scene evidence and professional review.

Pedestrian or cyclist hit by a rideshare car

We move quickly to secure video, witness statements, and medical documentation, then coordinate no-fault benefits and liability claims.

Rideshare drivers injured on the job

When you are logged into the app, coverage can change by the minute. We help drivers navigate medical bills, wage loss, and third-party claims against at-fault drivers.

How Rowling, Partipilo & Winston builds your rideshare claim

We apply a disciplined approach designed for rideshare cases in St. Clair County, including Port Huron, Marysville, Fort Gratiot, St. Clair, Richmond, Marine City, and Algonac.

Early investigation

We request the police report, obtain or preserve video, secure app data and ride receipts, and inspect vehicles where helpful. We document the precise driver status to trigger the correct insurance coverage.

Medical and benefits coordination

We guide you on documenting symptoms, following treatment, and maintaining a clean paper trail. We help you apply for no-fault benefits, avoid common form pitfalls, and track all out-of-pocket expenses.

Liability strategy and negotiation

We evaluate road design, traffic control, and driver behavior using maps, photographs, and, when needed, deep analysis. We prepare a demand package that speaks the insurer’s language and details the full impact on your life and work.

Litigation when necessary

If negotiations stall or an insurer undervalues your claim, we are prepared to file suit, conduct discovery, and try your case. Our objective is the right result for your situation.

Damages available in a rideshare accident case

Every case is unique, but recoverable damages in a liability claim can include:

• Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
• Wage loss and loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses not covered elsewhere and future care costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the crash
• Damage to personal property

No-fault benefits may also provide medical expense coverage, limited wage loss, replacement services, and mileage for treatment, subject to policy terms and legal rules. We help you coordinate both tracks so nothing is left on the table.

Timelines and deadlines

Strict notice and filing deadlines apply to no-fault benefits and to liability claims for pain and suffering. The timelines differ, and missing one can jeopardize your recovery. Contacting a rideshare accident attorney in St. Clair County promptly helps protect your rights and preserves critical evidence.

Local insight for St. Clair County crashes

Local conditions matter. Heavy traffic near the Blue Water Bridge, merging on I-94 and I-69, seasonal construction zones, lake-effect weather, and busy corridors along M-25 and M-29 can all play a role in how collisions occur and how liability is argued. We tailor investigations to the intersection, time of day, and weather involved in your crash.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the rideshare driver refuses to call the police?

Make the call yourself. A police report documents parties, insurance, and the basic facts. It often becomes the backbone of an insurance claim.

Does Uber or Lyft automatically pay my medical bills?

Not automatically. Your medical bills may be handled first through Michigan no-fault benefits, depending on your coverage and the legal order of priority. Liability coverage through Uber or Lyft can apply to other losses when the driver is on a trip or en route.

I was a passenger. Do I have a case even if my driver was not at fault?

Yes. If another motorist caused the crash and your injuries meet Michigan’s threshold, you can pursue a claim against that at-fault driver. Your no-fault benefits may still address medical and wage loss regardless of fault.

Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer?

Not before speaking with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that limit claims. Share basic facts only and decline recordings until you have counsel.

How is a rideshare claim different from an ordinary car accident?

Multiple insurance layers depend on the driver’s app status, and there are added data sources like app logs, GPS, and digital receipts. Coordinating no-fault benefits with rideshare liability coverage requires careful handling.

How long will my case take?

Timelines vary based on medical recovery, liability disputes, and insurer responsiveness. Early documentation and a focused strategy often speed resolution.

What does it cost to hire your firm?

We handle rideshare injury cases on a contingency fee. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. We explain fee percentages and case costs during your consultation.

Your next step toward recovery in St. Clair County

If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash anywhere in St. Clair County, fast action protects your health, your benefits, and your right to compensation. Our local team can take over insurer communications and start building your claim today.

Schedule your free case evaluation with Rowling, Partipilo & Winston.