What to Do When Your Lyft Driver Causes an Accident

• October 8, 2025

The moment the ride you ordered goes wrong is jarring and deeply unsettling. One minute you are a passenger, trusting a driver to get you to your destination safely, and the next you are caught in the chaos of a collision.

If your Lyft driver causes an accident, the confusion that follows can be overwhelming. You may be dealing with injuries, emotional shock, and a sudden flood of questions about who is responsible for your medical bills and other losses. The path forward can seem incredibly complicated, but there are clear steps you can take to protect your well-being.

Key Takeaways for When Your Lyft Driver Causes an Accident

• A passenger injured when a Lyft driver causes an accident may have claims against multiple insurance policies.


• Lyft provides significant insurance coverage for passengers, but its application depends on when the accident occurred during the ride process.


• Michigan’s No-Fault insurance laws play a critical role in how medical expenses and other benefits are paid after a rideshare crash.


• Documenting injuries, expenses, and communication with all parties involved is vital for protecting a person's rights.


• Understanding the different types of compensation, known as damages, is important for a personal injury claim.

Michigan's No-Fault Insurance and How It Applies to Lyft Accidents

Michigan has a unique system for handling car accident injuries called No-Fault insurance. At its core, this system is designed to make sure that people injured in a car crash get their medical bills and other essential expenses paid promptly, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This is handled through Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, benefits.

PIP is a part of every auto insurance policy in the state and covers allowable expenses like medical care, a portion of lost wages, and replacement services for tasks you can no longer perform due to your injuries.

When you are injured as a passenger in any vehicle, including a Lyft, the question becomes: which insurance company is responsible for paying your PIP benefits? Michigan law sets out a specific "order of priority" to determine this. This order is a sequence that dictates which insurer is first in line to cover your costs.

The general priority for an injured passenger is typically as follows:

• Your own No-Fault auto insurance policy, if you have one.


• The No-Fault policy of a spouse or a relative you live with.


• The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan, a state-run entity that assigns an insurance company to handle your claim if you do not have coverage through any other source.

It is important to understand that your own auto insurance is generally the primary source for your PIP benefits, even though you were a passenger in someone else’s car when the Lyft driver caused an accident. This can be confusing for many people, but it is a fundamental part of how the state’s system works. Following these rules is essential for getting your initial medical bills covered.

When Your Lyft Driver Causes an Accident: Unpacking Liability

While your PIP benefits cover your initial economic losses, they do not cover everything. For pain and suffering and any medical costs that exceed your PIP coverage limits, you must turn to the at-fault party's liability insurance. When your Lyft driver is at fault, this is where Lyft's own insurance policy becomes critically important.

Rideshare companies like Lyft are required by law to carry substantial insurance policies to protect passengers and the public. However, the amount of coverage available depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Insurance companies see a Lyft trip in distinct phases, and the coverage changes with each one.

Here is a simple breakdown of how Lyft’s insurance works:

• Driver is Offline: When the driver’s app is off, they are considered a private citizen. Only their personal auto insurance policy would apply in an accident.


• App is On, Waiting for a Request: Once a driver turns the app on and is available to accept rides, a lower level of liability coverage from Lyft becomes active. This typically covers injuries or damage the driver causes to others if their personal insurance denies the claim.


• On the Way to Pick Up a Passenger or During a Ride: This is the phase with the highest level of coverage. From the moment your driver accepts your ride request until the moment you are dropped off, you are covered by Lyft’s full policy. This includes at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage.

This $1 million policy is what would be accessed to compensate you for damages beyond what PIP covers if your Lyft driver causes an accident. This includes non-economic damages, which is a legal term for the human losses you suffer, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life. This coverage is specifically in place for the protection of passengers like you.

Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident to Protect Your Rights

After you have left the scene of the accident and received immediate medical attention, the process of recovery begins. From the comfort of your home, there are several important steps you can take to organize your information and protect your ability to receive fair compensation. The days and weeks following a crash can be a blur, so keeping careful records is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Whether you were heading to see a performance at the Fox Theatre in Detroit or just commuting home to your neighborhood in Sterling Heights, the shock of an accident can make it hard to think clearly. Taking a structured approach to documentation can bring a sense of control back.

Consider gathering and preserving the following information:

• Your Ride Details: Take screenshots from the Lyft app showing the driver’s name, vehicle information, the date and time of the trip, and the route.


• Medical Records: Keep a dedicated folder for all medical documentation. This includes hospital discharge papers, bills from doctors and therapists, and receipts for any prescription medications or medical devices.


• A Personal Journal: Start a daily journal to track your physical symptoms, pain levels, and emotional state. Note how your injuries affect your daily activities, from your ability to work to your ability to enjoy hobbies. This provides a detailed account of your pain and suffering.


• Proof of Lost Income: If you have to miss work, get a letter from your employer confirming your rate of pay and the dates you were absent. Keep copies of your pay stubs to show your earnings before the accident.

Once you have gathered your initial records, you should also report the accident to Lyft through their app. Stick to the basic facts of what happened without speculating on fault or minimizing your injuries. This formal report creates an official record of the incident with the company.

Common Injuries and Damages in a Rideshare Accident

The compensation you may be entitled to after a Lyft accident is meant to cover the full scope of your losses. In legal terms, this compensation is called "damages." The goal of seeking damages is to help restore you to the position you were in before the accident occurred, at least financially. These damages are generally broken down into two main categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are the tangible financial losses that can be calculated with bills and receipts. Non-economic damages are more personal and cover the intangible, human cost of the crash. A thorough claim will account for all the ways the accident has impacted your life.

Your potential compensation may cover a variety of losses, such as:

• Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit and any surgeries to ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical care you may need.


• Lost Wages or Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can be compensated for the income you have lost. This also includes loss of future earning capacity if you are left with a long-term disability.


• Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and trauma caused by the accident and your injuries.


• Other Out-of-Pocket Costs: Any other expenses you incurred because of the accident, like transportation to medical appointments, could also be included.

Putting a dollar value on something like pain and suffering can be difficult, but it is a real and significant part of any serious injury claim. Your story and the detailed records you keep are essential for demonstrating the true impact the accident has had on your quality of life.

Why Dealing with a Claim After Your Lyft Driver Causes an Accident Can Be Difficult

Even when it seems clear that the Lyft driver was at fault, getting the compensation you deserve is rarely simple. Rideshare accident claims involve large insurance policies and corporate legal teams whose primary goal is often to minimize the amount they have to pay. An insurance adjuster from Lyft’s provider may contact you quickly, seeming helpful and concerned. However, their job is to protect their company’s financial interests.

The complex roads in Michigan, from the busy I-96 corridor near Grand Rapids to the Lodge Freeway in the Tri-County area, are the scene of many accidents. When one involves a commercial entity like Lyft, the process can become much more adversarial.

You may face several common challenges during the claims process:

• Dealing with Multiple Insurers: You may have to coordinate between your own PIP insurer, the driver’s personal insurer, and Lyft’s corporate insurer, all of whom may try to shift responsibility to one another.


• Proving the Extent of Your Damages: The insurance company may question the severity of your injuries or argue that a pre-existing condition is the real cause of your pain. This is why detailed medical records are so crucial.


• Lowball Settlement Offers: The first offer an insurance company makes is often far less than what your claim is actually worth. They may pressure you to accept it quickly, before you know the full extent of your injuries and future needs.

These hurdles can be frustrating and intimidating, especially when you should be focused on your physical and emotional recovery. Understanding that these challenges are a normal part of the process can help you prepare for what lies ahead and reinforce the importance of proceeding carefully.

FAQs: What to Do When Your Lyft Driver Causes an Accident

Here are answers to some common questions that arise after a passenger is injured in a rideshare accident.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Michigan?

In Michigan, the time limit for filing a lawsuit for personal injuries from a car accident is generally three years from the date of the crash. This is known as the statute of limitations. There are some exceptions, and it is very important to act well before this deadline expires. For No-Fault PIP benefits, you typically have only one year to file a claim.

Should I give a recorded statement to any insurance company?

It is usually wise to be cautious about giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, especially one representing the at-fault party, without first seeking legal guidance. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in a way that might lead you to unintentionally say something that could be used to weaken your claim later.

What if my injuries don't seem serious right away?

It is very common for injuries from a car accident, like whiplash or internal injuries, to not become fully apparent for hours or even days after the crash. This is why it is essential to seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. This creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident. If you develop new symptoms later, continue to document them and see your doctor.

Charting a Path Forward with Trusted Legal Representation

After suffering injuries in an accident caused by a Lyft driver, you don’t have to face powerful insurance companies on your own. Having a dedicated advocate on your side can make all the difference in protecting your rights and securing the resources you need to recover fully.

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we help people across Michigan, including Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Sterling Heights, who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Our team is committed to providing compassionate and knowledgeable guidance to every client we serve. We understand what you are going through and are here to help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

If you were injured while riding in a Lyft, please contact us today at (248) 831-1507 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. Let our team listen to your story and explain your options, so you can focus on what matters most: your health and recovery.