Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
Posted in: Ohio Personal Injury
KNR Legal Blog
Uber and Lyft make it easy to get around Ohio—whether you’re heading to the airport, commuting downtown, or getting home after a night out. But when a rideshare crash happens, injured passengers are left with urgent questions: Who pays my medical bills? Do I file a claim with Uber or another insurer? Am I covered if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt? If you were hurt in a rideshare crash, our experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR) can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you.
As a passenger, you didn’t cause the crash. Ohio law allows you to recover from the at-fault party (or parties) for:
More about Damages & Compensation in Ohio Car Accident Cases
Even if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, you may still recover damages. Insurers may argue your injuries were worse due to no seatbelt; Ohio’s comparative negligence rules can reduce (not bar) recovery in some cases. Legal advocacy helps counter unfair blame-shifting.
Read You Can Still Sue After a Car Accident If You Weren’t Wearing a Seat Belt
Liability turns on who acted negligently and whether the Uber driver was “on the app.” Common scenarios include:
Uber uses tiered coverage based on driver status at the time of the crash:
Insurers often dispute whether the driver was “on the clock,” who had the green light, or whether a pickup/drop-off zone created unusual hazards. KNR investigates quickly pulling trip data, dashcam footage when available, and witness statements to enforce the right coverage.
Based on our casework and common traffic patterns across Ohio cities, frequent causes include:
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries, whiplash and spinal injuries, fractures, shoulder and knee trauma (from seatbelt and bracing forces), internal injuries, and lacerations. Early diagnostics and follow-up care are crucial.
Not every injured person is riding in the Uber. If you were an occupant of another vehicle struck by an Uber driver, your claim typically proceeds against the at-fault driver (which may be the Uber driver), with Uber coverage applying when the driver was on the app. If the Uber driver was off-app, their personal insurance is primary. KNR evaluates app status, pulls the trip record, and identifies all available coverages so you’re not left paying out of pocket.
KNR has successfully represented Uber accident victims across the state, from busy downtown areas to suburban roads and interstate highways. We understand the unique challenges injured passengers face and the tactics insurers use to minimize claims. Our Uber accident lawyers are proud to serve clients in:
There’s no single Ohio-only dataset for Uber crashes, but rideshare collisions occur for many of the same reasons as other car crashes—fatigue, distraction, speeding, and poor maintenance—compounded by frequent pickups and drop-offs in busy zones. What matters for your case is proving negligence and connecting your injuries to the crash. KNR gathers police reports, trip records, and medical documentation to build a strong claim.
This tongue-in-cheek question pops up in search results, but real-world crashes rarely hinge on quirky facts. In Uber cases, liability typically turns on driver behavior (who had right-of-way, speeding, distraction) and whether the rideshare driver was on the app. Evidence—scene photos, dashcams, event data recorders, and witness statements—clarifies fault.
There isn’t a reliable “average” Uber settlement because every case is unique. Settlement value depends on medical treatment, lasting limitations, lost income, pain and suffering, disputed liability, insurance limits (including Uber’s tiers), and the strength of your evidence. KNR calculates full damages, identifies all coverages, and negotiates aggressively to maximize recovery—without promising results or using misleading averages.
No. Ohio follows a fault-based system. The negligent driver (or drivers) and their insurers are responsible for damages. For Uber crashes, that may include the Uber driver’s policy, Uber’s tiered coverage, a third-party driver’s insurer, and sometimes your own uninsured/underinsured coverage.
Start with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If you were a passenger and the Uber driver was at fault (and on the app), Uber’s policy is implicated. If another motorist is at fault and underinsured, Uber’s policy may supplement. Your health insurance may pay initial medical bills subject to reimbursement. KNR coordinates these layers so bills don’t pile up unnecessarily.
Yes. If another driver caused the crash, you can pursue that driver’s insurer. If they lack adequate coverage, Uber’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may help if you are a passenger in the Uber. We identify the order of coverage and protect your rights against each carrier.
You can still bring a claim. Insurers may argue your injuries were worse because of no seatbelt and try to reduce your payout. We push back with medical evidence and crash mechanics to show the true drivers of your injury profile.
App-related distraction is common in rideshare cases. If your driver’s distraction caused the crash while you were an active passenger, Uber’s $1M policy generally applies. Trip logs and phone records can help prove distraction and coverage status.
Ohio’s general statute of limitations for personal injury is often two years from the crash date. Evidence fades quickly, so starting right away helps preserve proof, confirm app status, and secure medical documentation.
Multi-vehicle (chain-reaction) crashes often involve split liability. We pursue each negligent driver’s insurer and, when applicable, Uber’s coverage. Comparative negligence does not prevent recovery; it apportions it based on fault percentages.
Yes. If an on-app Uber driver hits your vehicle, Uber’s policy may apply. If off-app, the driver’s personal policy applies. We confirm status, demand the right carrier, and pursue all damages you’re entitled to recover.
We commonly see concussions, cervical/lumbar strains, herniated discs, fractures, shoulder/knee trauma, and internal injuries. Medical imaging, ER records, specialist notes, and therapy logs help quantify damages and support pain-and-suffering claims.
Police reports, scene photos, vehicle damage angles, ride receipts, in-app timelines, driver communications, dashcam and phone data (when available), and consistent medical documentation. Keep a symptom journal and save out-of-pocket receipts.
Early, low offers are common—especially before full diagnosis or rehab. Don’t sign a release until you understand the scope of your injuries and future care. KNR values the claim properly and negotiates from documented evidence.
Many cases settle, but we prepare every claim as if it will go to trial. Strong preparation (liability proof, medical support, expert input) drives better settlements and positions your case if litigation becomes necessary.
KNR works on a contingency fee—no upfront fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation. We advance case costs and explain repayment from the settlement as part of a transparent fee agreement.
If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or struck by an Uber driver, put a proven Ohio legal team on your side. Kisling, Nestico & Redick handles the insurers, proves liability, and fights to recover what you need to move forward.
Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation with an experienced rideshare car accident lawyer or contact KNR online. We’ll discuss what happened, your rights, and how we can help you recover.
There are no upfront costs, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you.