Question 1

What insurance must Uber and Lyft drivers have in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

While a rideshare (TNC) driver is logged on to the app but not providing service, primary auto liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for death or bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage is required, plus combined uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage meeting G.S. 20-279.21(b)(3) and (b)(4). While engaged in a prearranged ride, primary liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for death, bodily injury and property damage is required, plus combined UM/UIM coverage meeting the same statute. Coverage may come from the driver's policy, the company's policy or both.

Question 2

What is the minimum car insurance required in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle may not be registered unless the owner provides proof of financial responsibility, which must be maintained continuously. The required amounts are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage.

Question 3

Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

Contributory negligence. North Carolina has not adopted comparative fault; under its common law, a plaintiff whose own negligence contributed to the injury generally cannot recover. By statute, the defendant has the burden of proving contributory negligence. For tort claims against the state, the Industrial Commission may award damages only if there was no contributory negligence by the claimant.

Question 4

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

Three years. For personal injury, the claim does not accrue until bodily harm becomes apparent or reasonably should have become apparent, but no claim may accrue more than 10 years after the defendant's last act or omission (with limited exceptions).

Uber and Lyft insurance	While a rideshare (TNC) driver is logged on to the app but not providing service, primary auto liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for death or bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage is required, plus combined uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage meeting G.S. 20-279.21(b)(3) and (b)(4). While engaged in a prearranged ride, primary liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for death, bodily injury and property damage is required, plus combined UM/UIM coverage meeting the same statute. Coverage may come from the driver's policy, the company's policy or both. Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-280.4
Minimum car insurance	A vehicle may not be registered unless the owner provides proof of financial responsibility, which must be maintained continuously. The required amounts are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage. Registration requirement: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-309.html Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-309(a), 20-279.1(11)
Fault rule (comparative negligence)	Contributory negligence. North Carolina has not adopted comparative fault; under its common law, a plaintiff whose own negligence contributed to the injury generally cannot recover. By statute, the defendant has the burden of proving contributory negligence. For tort claims against the state, the Industrial Commission may award damages only if there was no contributory negligence by the claimant. Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-139, 143-291(a)
Deadline to sue for an injury	Three years. For personal injury, the claim does not accrue until bodily harm becomes apparent or reasonably should have become apparent, but no claim may accrue more than 10 years after the defendant's last act or omission (with limited exceptions). Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(5), (16)

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