Louisville, Kentucky
Hurt as a taxi passenger, or hit by a cab? How taxi accident claims work under Kentucky’s motor carrier and insurance rules.
Reviewed by Larry Forman, Attorney.
Taxis carry visitors from the airport, fans to Churchill Downs and residents who don’t drive. When a cab crashes, passengers are almost never at fault, but figuring out which policy pays can still be complicated. Forman & Associates represents taxi passengers and people hit by taxis across Kentucky.
Key takeaways
A person may not act as a motor carrier in Kentucky without a certificate, and the state issues taxicab certificates as a separate category (KRS 281.630). Before a certificate is issued or renewed, the holder must file approved bonds or insurance policies (KRS 281.655). Taxi companies must also run criminal background checks on drivers under state law. Local ordinances may add more rules.
As a passenger, you didn’t control either vehicle. Your claim may be against the taxi driver and company, another driver who caused the crash, or both. PIP questions for passengers can be complicated; the answer depends on the policies on the cab and in your household. We sort that out. See passenger injury claims.
Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists hit by a cab can claim against the driver and, depending on the driver’s relationship with the company, the taxi company. Some cab drivers are employees; others lease vehicles or operate independently under a company’s certificate. That affects who is responsible.
Rideshare companies hold separate transportation network company certificates and follow different insurance rules. If your crash involved Uber or Lyft, see our rideshare injury lawyer page.
Your own PIP coverage pays first, up to $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault, unless you rejected no-fault limits in writing (KRS 304.39-020). To claim pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, you generally need more than $1,000 in medical expenses or a qualifying injury (KRS 304.39-060). Kentucky’s pure comparative fault rule reduces, but doesn’t bar, recovery if you share some fault (KRS 411.182).
Most Kentucky motor vehicle injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash or the last PIP payment, whichever is later (KRS 304.39-230). Wrongful death and claims against government entities can follow different rules. Estimate your dates with our statute of limitations calculator, then confirm them with a lawyer.
Often, yes, depending on the driver’s relationship with the company and the facts of the crash.
As a passenger, you can claim against whichever driver was at fault, or both. Fault is compared under Kentucky law.
Possibly. Seat belt use can be raised to reduce damages in some cases. Talk with us about your facts.
Yes. We handle claims for out-of-state visitors hurt in Kentucky. See out-of-state drivers and Kentucky crashes.
We find the right policy and handle the insurers. Free consultation.
Get a free case evaluation or call 502-931-6788.
This page is general information about Kentucky law as of October 2026, not legal advice. Every case is different.
