Rideshare services are a daily convenience for many individuals across Minnesota. Behind that convenience, however, is a complex legal framework that makes accidents involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle very different from a typical car accident.
If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, knowing how digital evidence works in your favor is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your claim.
It identifies the applicable insurance coverage limit
Digital evidence can be app logs, GPS telemetry and ride receipts. It objectively proves the driver’s exact status at the moment of the crash. This is critical because under Minnesota law, the coverage that applies to your case depends on which phase of the ride the driver was in:
- Period one: The driver is logged into the application but has not yet accepted a ride request. During this phase, state law requires primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- Period two: The driver has accepted a trip request but has not yet picked up the passenger.
- Period three: The driver is actively transporting a passenger from the pickup location to the destination.
During periods two and three, Minnesota law requires at least $1.5 million in commercial liability coverage. Digital evidence is what locks in that higher limit because without it, insurers can argue for less.
Securing your digital evidence
Digital evidence overcomes human error, such as bias or memory uncertainty. It is why it can often be the deciding factor for a successful claim. However, rideshare companies often overwrite digital data quickly. Fortunately, you can send a legal notice to preserve the evidence and prevent the company from deleting it.
Gathering evidence on your own after a rideshare accident is hard. A legal counsel who knows how to draft data preservation letters and obtain official app logs can help. This ensures you get the full coverage you deserve.