Short answer: If you're hurt as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft in Michigan, your own auto policy (or your spouse's or a resident relative's) usually pays your medical bills and lost wages first. If no one in your household has auto insurance, the rideshare vehicle's insurer may pay. For pain and suffering, rideshare companies must carry at least $1 million in liability coverage while a ride is in progress.

Rideshare crashes confuse people because there are so many possible insurers: yours, the driver's personal policy, the policy Uber or Lyft carries, and the other driver's if a second car was involved. Here's how Michigan sorts it out.

Your medical bills and lost wages (PIP)

Michigan no-fault benefits (PIP) follow a priority order (MCL 500.3114). For a passenger, the insurers generally line up like this:

Your own auto policy
Your spouse's policy, or a policy of a relative you live with
The insurer covering the rideshare vehicle, if no household policy applies

So even though you were riding in someone else's car, your own policy is usually first in line. How much PIP pays for medical care depends on the coverage level on the policy that pays.

Pain and suffering: the liability side

If your injury meets Michigan's threshold (a "serious impairment of body function," permanent serious disfigurement, or death), you can bring a claim against whoever caused the crash.

If the rideshare driver was at fault: Michigan law requires rideshare coverage of at least $1 million for bodily injury while the driver is carrying a passenger.
If another driver was at fault: the claim goes against that driver and their insurer, and the rideshare coverage may matter if that driver is uninsured or underinsured.
If the driver had the app on but no passenger yet: lower minimums apply, at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.

You may also have claims for medical expenses above your PIP limit and for lost wages beyond what PIP pays.

What to do after a rideshare crash

Screenshot the trip in the app: driver name, car, plate, time and route. Save the receipt email.
Report the crash in the app, but keep it short and factual.
Get the police report number and the other driver's information.
Take photos of the cars, the scene and your injuries.
Get medical care and open a PIP claim with your own insurer.
Don't give a recorded statement to Uber's or Lyft's insurer before talking to a lawyer.

Deadlines still apply. Written notice to the no-fault insurer is generally required within one year of the crash (MCL 500.3145), and injury lawsuits have their own limits. Rideshare claims often involve several insurers, so start early.

Also see who pays your medical bills after a Michigan car accident, or learn about our car accident cases. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee: no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you, as explained in your written fee agreement.

Hurt in an Uber or Lyft?

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Attorney responsible for this content: Ali Moubarak (P81729), Moubarak Law Firm, P.C., 1 Parklane Blvd., Ste 729 E, Dearborn, MI 48126 · (313) 566-4802.

Attorney advertising. This article is general information, not legal advice, and laws change. Every case is different, and results in past cases do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.