Columbus Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Uber and Lyft Accidents in Columbus, Ohio

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are popular in Columbus, especially around hotspots like OSU, the Short North, and downtown. However, with increased rideshare traffic comes a higher risk of accidents involving passengers, drivers, and pedestrians. Unlike other Columbus car accidents, these cases often involve complex liability issues and multiple insurance layers, making it critical to work with a Columbus rideshare accident lawyer who understands local roads, Ohio law, and how to pursue full compensation.

How Do Lyft and Uber Accidents Happen?

Lyft and Uber rideshares have complexities that make them prone to accidents. Lyft and Uber both require drivers to operate software during transportation: they navigate with GPS and communicate with passengers via phone apps.

Although Ohio is a hands-free state and has laws against distracted driving, these requirements add to a driver’s propensity for distracted driving. This, combined with meeting unknown passengers in unfamiliar areas, increases Uber and Lyft liabilities.

Common Uber and Lyft Accident Injuries

Whether your Uber was rear-ended on I-270 or someone sideswipes you on High Street – as an Uber or Lyft passenger or driver – you run the same risk as any Columbus car wreck.

• Spine and neck injury
• Whiplash
• Broken or fractured bones
• Internal Injuries
• Death
• Emotional trauma or psychological scarring

These may require varying degrees of medical care and create a financial strain on victims. However, KNR can help you seek treatment and compensation for the losses associated with Lyft and Uber accidents.

With considerable experience helping local injury victims, our Columbus lawyers will guide and assist you with documenting the medical care and costs associated with a serious car accident. We have strong relationships with many of the excellent hospitals and trauma centers in Columbus, including:

• Ohio State University Hospital
• Mount Carmel
• OhioHealth
• Other local ERs

Types of Uber & Lyft Accidents in Columbus

Uber and Lyft accidents in Columbus can occur in a variety of ways, each with different insurance rules and liability implications.

If you’re a passenger in a rideshare hit by another vehicle on I‑270 or High Street, the at-fault driver’s insurance typically applies—but Uber or Lyft’s coverage may step in if that driver is uninsured.

If your rideshare driver caused the crash, the company’s commercial policy may cover your injuries. Rideshare drivers themselves can also seek compensation if struck while working, depending on the app’s status.

Even pedestrians hit by an active rideshare vehicle—such as near the Arena District or OSU—may be covered under Uber or Lyft’s $1 million policy.

Identifying who’s responsible and which policy applies is critical to building a successful claim.

Who’s To Blame in a Columbus Uber or Lyft Accident?

Liability in rideshare accidents depends on who caused the crash and what the rideshare driver was doing at the time.

If the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault—due to speeding, distraction, or reckless driving—they and their company’s insurance may be liable. If another motorist hit the rideshare vehicle, their personal insurance generally applies.

Insurance coverage also depends on app status: if the app was off, only personal insurance is active; if waiting for a ride request, limited contingent coverage applies; and if transporting a passenger or en route, the full $1 million Uber/Lyft policy is triggered.

In some cases, vehicle defects or poorly maintained Columbus roadways could make third parties liable as well.

Uber & Lyft Insurance in Columbus, Ohio

Uber and Lyft drivers in Ohio must have personal car insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum state requirements. These vary by state, but Uber and Lyft have contingent coverage when their drivers have passengers.

When Lyft and Uber drivers are “off the clock” with the apps off, their personal auto insurance covers them. When drivers are on their way to pick up a passenger but do not have anyone in their car, the driver’s personal insurance covers them. The driver has additional liability of up to $100,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property if the driver’s insurance is not sufficient.

Drivers who have a passenger in their car during an accident have $1 million in liability coverage and $1 million in underinsured/uninsured coverage.

What to Expect if You’re Hurt by an Uber?

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Columbus, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The value of your claim depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, medical bills from local hospitals like OSU Wexner or Mount Carmel, lost wages, and how the crash has affected your life. Because multiple insurance layers can apply, determining liability and calculating your damages requires experience with Ohio rideshare claims.

At KNR, our Columbus Uber & Lyft accident attorneys understand what it takes to build a strong case, negotiate with insurers, and secure the compensation you need to move forward.

Damages You Can Recover After a Columbus Uber or Lyft Accident

If you’re hurt in a rideshare crash, a personal injury claim may help you recover:

• Medical Expenses: Including ER visits, surgeries, follow-up care, rehab, and ongoing treatment in Columbus-area facilities.
• Lost Wages & Future Income: Compensation for time off work and long-term earning limitations.
• Pain & Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional toll caused by your injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Including anxiety, depression, or PTSD after a traumatic crash.
• Loss of Consortium: For spouses or family affected by the loss of companionship or support.

If the accident was fatal, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost income, and more.

How to Maximize Your Columbus Uber or Lyft Accident Claim

Uber and Lyft both carry large insurance policies, but those insurers often try to minimize payouts. KNR’s legal team levels the playing field by:

• Conducting a full investigation and securing witness statements, videos, and police reports
• Working with medical experts to document your injuries and future needs
• Negotiating directly with Uber/Lyft and third-party insurers
• Preparing your case for trial, if needed, to fight for the compensation you deserve

Let KNR assess your case and help you pursue maximum recovery—whether your Uber crash happened on I‑70, near Polaris, or in Downtown Columbus.

KNR has helped numerous injury victims in Franklin County get compensation for their long-term needs. For example, we represented a client, struck head-on by a driver that lost control and went left of center on Hines Road in Columbus. We reached a $145,000 settlement.

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