Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Ohio

Each Uber/Lyft-type driver must be covered by a primary auto policy that recognizes the driver's TNC use. While logged on and available but not providing rides: at least $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $100,000 for two or more persons, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. While providing rides (from accepting a ride until the last rider leaves the car): at least $1 million for bodily injury, death or property damage per accident. The coverage may come from the driver, the company or both; the company's insurer must pay from the first dollar if the driver's coverage falls short. The statute read does not require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in these periods.

Ohio requires proof of financial responsibility of at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Ohio is not a no-fault state: the Department of Insurance describes liability coverage as paying when you are at fault, and medical payments coverage, which pays regardless of fault, is optional.

Modified comparative fault (51% bar). An injured person can recover as long as their own fault was not greater than the combined fault of all other persons; damages are reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. A person found more than 50% at fault recovers nothing.

An action for bodily injury must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues, which is generally when the injury occurs. For injuries from exposure to certain substances (such as hazardous chemicals, prescription drugs or medical devices, or asbestos), the clock starts when the person learns, or reasonably should have learned, that the injury is related to the exposure.