Many Ohio residents trust rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft to get them safely from one place to another. You may rely on these services for their convenience and accessibility. But if you end up injured in a rideshare crash, figuring out who pays can be more complicated than in a typical car accident.
You may find yourself dealing with multiple insurance policies. The coverage available often depends on the rideshare driver’s app status when the crash happened. Understanding how Ohio law and rideshare insurance work can help you move forward with your claim.
The basics: Driver’s personal policy
When a rideshare driver causes a crash with the app turned off, their own policy covers the damages up to Ohio’s minimum limits. If you sustained injuries in the accident, you can pursue compensation through this path. However, personal insurance policies almost always deny coverage if the driver was logged in and working, as standard plans exclude commercial use.
During the wait period: Uber and Lyft provide limited coverage
When a driver logs into the app but has not accepted a ride, the insurance situation shifts. Ohio driving law typically requires rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to step in with their own commercial insurance as soon as a driver turns on the app.
This coverage offers much higher liability limits while the driver is waiting for a request and during trips. The protection typically includes the following minimum payments:
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death sustained by one individual
- $100,000 for bodily injuries or deaths sustained by two or more individuals
- $25,000 for property damage resulting from a single crash
This contingent tier exists to fill the gap if the driver’s personal policy refuses to pay because the app was active.
The active trip: The million-dollar policy
Once a driver takes a request or has a passenger in the seat, the highest insurance level applies to this situation. Both Uber and Lyft generally carry a minimum of $1 million in third-party liability insurance. This high limit exists because rideshare accidents often involve multiple victims and severe injuries.
Helping you secure just compensation
Pursuing compensation after a rideshare accident requires a deep understanding of Ohio’s specific statutes and the tiered coverage systems used by tech giants. You should not have to manage this process alone while you are trying to recover from your injuries. The legal team at Leeseberg Tuttle can help ensure the correct insurance tier is applied to your claim so you can regain your physical and financial stability.