Zanesville Ride-Share Accident Attorneys

As ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft increase in popularity across the state of Ohio, so does the instance of ride-share-related accidents. As with any car accident in Ohio, the potential impacts of a ride-share collision can be life-altering.

Whether you are a passenger or driver, you may be wondering what support may be available to you following a ride-share accident. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible for compensation to help cover the costs of medical treatments, rehabilitative care, lost wages, and more.

At Graham Law, our ride-share accident attorneys are dedicated to helping you through your personal injury claim, every step of the way. Our team serves injured people in Zanesville, Cambridge, Muskingum County, Guernsey County, and communities across Ohio. Contact us today to book a free case review and learn how we may be of service to you.

Understanding Ride-Share Accident Claims in Ohio

Ride-share accident claims in Ohio can be more complicated than ordinary car accident claims because Uber, Lyft, or another transportation network company may have different insurance coverage depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.

Under Ohio transportation network company insurance law, coverage may depend on whether the driver was offline, logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, or actively providing transportation network company services.

In many Ohio personal injury cases, the deadline to file a lawsuit is generally two years from the date the injury claim accrues under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, but certain claims may involve different timing rules.

Passengers, ride-share drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and people in other vehicles may all have legal options after a ride-share accident, depending on fault, injury severity, and available insurance coverage.

Graham Law helps injured people in Zanesville, Cambridge, Muskingum County, Guernsey County, and throughout Ohio understand their options after serious ride-share crashes.

Ride-Share Insurance Policies: What To Know

In the state of Ohio, every ride-share driver is required to carry a mandated minimum in ride-share insurance coverage, in addition to regular auto insurance. Ride-share claims often turn on one important question: what was the driver doing at the exact time of the accident?

Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3942, transportation network company coverage may apply during different app periods. If the driver is logged into the app and available to receive transportation requests but has not yet accepted a ride, primary automobile insurance must generally provide at least:

• $50,000 in bodily injury or death coverage for one person in one accident
• $100,000 in bodily injury or death coverage for two or more people in one accident
• $25,000 in property damage coverage in one accident

If the driver is engaged in transportation network company services, meaning the driver has accepted a ride and is transporting or going through the ride process, Ohio law requires at least $1 million in primary automobile insurance coverage for bodily injury, death, or property damage in one accident.

If a driver is involved in an accident while off the clock, they are typically covered only by their regular auto insurance. If the driver is logged into the app or actively transporting a passenger, additional ride-share insurance may apply. In either case, an injured accident survivor may be required to provide proof as to the severity and cause of their injuries.

Ohio personal injury claims use an at-fault system, meaning the individual or party at fault for the injury-causing accident may be liable for the resulting damages. Ohio also follows a comparative negligence rule under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, which means a claimant’s recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault and may be barred if their fault is greater than the combined fault of the other responsible parties.

What If The Driver Was Logged Into The App But Had No Passenger?

This is one of the most important insurance questions in an Uber or Lyft accident claim.

If the driver was logged into the app and available for ride requests, but had not accepted a ride, Ohio’s lower transportation network company coverage period may apply. If the driver had accepted a ride or was transporting a passenger, the $1 million coverage period may apply. Graham Law can help request and review app activity, insurance information, police reports, and other records to determine which policy may be available.

Visit our blog to learn more about rideshare and delivery accidents, insurance requirements, and liability issues, or contact our Ohio ride-share accident attorneys today to learn more about your options.

Why Ride-Share Accident Claims Can Be More Complicated In Ohio

Ride-share accidents can involve more than one possible insurance policy. A typical Zanesville car accident claim may involve two personal auto policies. A ride-share collision may involve the ride-share driver’s personal policy, a transportation network company policy, another driver’s policy, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, or other available insurance.

This complexity can create confusion for injured passengers and other accident survivors. Insurance companies may dispute whether the driver was logged into the app, whether the driver had accepted a ride, whether the ride-share company’s policy applies, or whether another driver caused the collision.

Ohio law also allows personal auto insurers to exclude certain coverage while a driver is using a vehicle for transportation network company services. That is one reason these claims should be investigated early. Graham Law can help determine whether coverage may exist through the ride-share company, the driver, another motorist, or an uninsured and underinsured accident claim in Ohio.

Can Uber Or Lyft Be Held Responsible For A Crash?

In many cases, the claim begins with the insurance coverage available for the ride-share driver or another at-fault driver. However, responsibility may depend on the facts.

Important questions may include whether the ride-share driver was actively working, whether another motorist caused or contributed to the crash, whether the driver was distracted by the app, and whether the company’s required insurance applies. Our ride-share accident attorneys in Cambridge and Zanesville can review the facts and explain which parties and policies may be involved.

Common Causes Of Ride-Share Accidents In Zanesville And Across Ohio

Ride-share accidents can happen for many of the same reasons as other motor vehicle collisions. However, ride-share drivers may also face unique distractions and pressures because they rely on app-based directions, ride requests, passenger communication, and timing.

Common causes of ride-share accidents may include distracted driving, speeding, unsafe turns, following too closely, failure to yield, impaired driving, driver fatigue, unsafe pick-ups or drop-offs, sudden stops, poor weather, and unfamiliarity with local roads.

In Zanesville and Muskingum County, ride-share collisions may happen on city streets, near restaurants and bars, around hotels, near Ohio University Zanesville, along Maple Avenue, on I-70, on State Route 60, or on other busy roads where local and out-of-town drivers interact. In Cambridge and Guernsey County, ride-share crashes may also happen near I-70, I-77, downtown businesses, and event locations.

If the accident involved a ride-share vehicle being used for business purposes, the claim may overlap with issues common in commercial vehicle accident claims in Zanesville or Ohio.

Common Injuries In Ride-Share Accidents

Injuries associated with ride-share accidents can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Common injuries include:

• Fractured bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Whiplash
• Concussions
• Sprains and strains
• Back and neck injuries
• Shoulder, knee, and hip injuries
• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• And more

The repercussions of an auto accident may reach beyond the physical. Injured accident survivors may develop mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD as a result of the incident.

Medical bills, rehabilitative treatments, medications, therapy, and other forms of essential care can add up to substantial debt, which can in turn add stress for the injured accident survivor and their close ones.

Working with ride-share accident attorneys, you may be able to recover the costs of these damages, as well as income you have lost as a result of being unable to work while recovering, and more. If the crash caused a life-changing injury, our team can also evaluate whether your case may also involve catastrophic injuries. Contact us today to discuss your particular case.

What If My Symptoms Started After I Left The Accident Scene?

It is common for pain to become more noticeable hours or days after a crash. Adrenaline, shock, and inflammation can mask injuries at the scene. If you develop headaches, neck pain, back pain, dizziness, numbness, confusion, weakness, or worsening soreness after a ride-share accident, seek medical attention promptly. A medical record can help protect your health and may also help connect your injuries to the collision.

Who Is Eligible to File A Ride-Share Accident Claim?

Ride-share drivers are generally treated as independent contractors. This means ride-share insurance covers them, as well as anyone affected by a ride-share accident, only during certain work-related app periods.

Car accident claims are typically evaluated based on the severity of the injuries and who was at fault for the accident. Depending on the circumstances, any of the following people may be eligible to file a ride-share accident claim:

• Passengers of a ride-share
• Ride-share drivers
• Pedestrians
• Cyclists
• Passengers in other vehicles
• Drivers of other vehicles
• Other road users

If a ride-share driver’s reckless driving behavior led to an accident that caused you injury, contact us today to book a free case review with our ride-share accident attorneys and learn what financial compensation may be available to you.

What Compensation May Be Available After A Ride-Share Accident?

Depending on the facts of the case, compensation after a ride-share accident may include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, and other losses.

In serious cases, compensation may also need to account for long-term disability, in-home care, mobility equipment, modifications to a home or vehicle, and loss of independence. If a ride-share crash causes fatal injuries, surviving family members may need to explore whether a wrongful death claim may be available under Ohio law.

No attorney can guarantee a result. The value of a ride-share accident claim depends on liability, available insurance coverage, the severity of the injuries, medical documentation, lost income, long-term prognosis, and the evidence available to prove the claim. Our Zanesville ride-share accident attorneys will work hard to establish your losses and pursue the compensation you need to recover.

What If The Insurance Company Offers A Quick Settlement After a Ride-Share Accident?

A quick settlement may not reflect the full cost of your medical care, lost income, future treatment, or long-term pain. Once a release is signed, you may give up the right to seek additional compensation later.

Before accepting an offer from a ride-share insurer, personal auto insurer, or another insurance company, it is wise to speak with Graham Law so our attorneys can review the facts and help you understand your options.

First Steps to Take After A Ride-Share Accident

The most important thing to do after a personal injury accident is to seek the medical attention you need. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, while the body is in shock. Having a licensed medical professional assess you may be vital not only to your health but also for a potential ride-share accident claim.

If the accident has caused bodily harm and/or significant property damage, call the police. Having a detailed police report on file can be of immense importance in a potential personal injury claim.

If you are able to do so safely, document as much as you can at the scene of the accident. This may include photos and videos, contact information for any witnesses, screenshots from the ride-share app, the driver’s name, the license plate, the ride receipt, the trip route, and insurance information.

You should also contact ride-share accident attorneys as soon as possible. Navigating insurance claims can be challenging, particularly in accidents involving ride-shares, where different insurance policies may come into play. At Graham Law, we prioritize efficient, compassionate service dedicated to supporting your best interests.

How Graham Law Helps With Ride-Share Accident Claims in Ohio

Graham Law can help investigate how the crash happened, identify available insurance coverage, communicate with insurance companies, gather medical records, review police reports, preserve evidence, evaluate damages, and pursue compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation when necessary.

Because ride-share claims often involve app data, policy exclusions, and coverage disputes, early investigation matters. Our attorneys can request information about whether the driver was logged on, whether a ride had been accepted, and which insurance limits may apply.

Graham Law’s Zanesville attorneys represent injured people across Muskingum County and throughout Ohio. We also serve clients from Cambridge, Guernsey County, and nearby communities who need help after serious crashes.

Contact Graham Law And Book A Free Case Review With Our Ride-Share Accident Attorneys Today

Individuals injured in ride-share accidents may be eligible to receive financial compensation to help recover the costs of damages incurred as a result of a collision. Contact us today to speak with the ride-share accident attorneys at Graham Law and learn what support may be available for you.

Call (740) 454-8585 or contact Graham Law to schedule a free case review with our Zanesville ride-share accident attorneys.

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