Why Tulsa’s Growing Rideshare Usage Is Causing More Injury Cases

Many Tulsa residents use rideshares to get around, and it’s easy to see why – they’re convenient, accessible, and reliable. Even so, rideshare accidents are always a possibility.

Understanding why Tulsa’s growing rideshare usage is causing more injury cases, and speaking with a Tulsa car accident lawyer, may help you better understand your legal options after an accident.

Why is Tulsa’s growing rideshare usage causing more injury cases?

Tulsa’s growing rideshare usage is causing more injury cases for a multitude of different reasons, some of which include:

• More people are driving for rideshare companies, which increases Tulsa’s overall road traffic and makes accidents more likely.
• Some rideshare drivers are inexperienced and unfamiliar with Tulsa’s traffic laws and, as such, less capable of navigating the road in a safe manner.
• Operating a rideshare often means driving on unfamiliar roads and routes, which can increase the risk of accidents.
• Some of the vehicles used by certain rideshare drivers are poorly maintained.
• Rideshare drivers can operate their vehicles for long periods, even when fatigued, which increases the risk of errors.

Using a rideshare can be very useful. However, the factors outlined above, along with others, can increase the likelihood of accidents. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may be able to obtain compensation.

How do rideshare accident claims differ from standard auto accidents?

The presence of a third party

Rideshare claims differ from standard auto accidents for one major reason: the presence of a third-party rideshare app, such as Uber or Lyft.

In many cases, the at-fault driver is primarily liable, but other parties can share liability, depending on the facts. The rideshare company may direct you to the driver’s insurance, depending on the driver’s status in the app, though the required insurance coverage may still apply regardless of liability disputes.

A good example is a case in which the rideshare driver, the rideshare app, and a distracted commercial driver share responsibility for the accident. In that situation, the amount of liability assigned to each party must be determined. This process is inherently challenging and can become even more complex when each party attempts to shift blame.

The driver’s status

The status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident can greatly affect your claim. Depending on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger, different insurance coverage may apply. For example:

• If you were hit by a rideshare driver who was not logged in or using their rideshare app to pick up/deliver a passenger, it is likely that the driver’s personal auto insurance may be the primary coverage available.
• If you were injured by a rideshare driver who is logged into the app and waiting for someone to request a ride, but had yet to accept a ride or pick up a passenger, limited primary liability coverage is generally required and may be maintained by the driver, the rideshare company, or both.
• If you were hit by a rideshare driver who was driving a passenger to their destination on a prearranged ride on behalf of a rideshare company, Oklahoma law applies, including a requirement of at least $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage, which may be maintained by the rideshare company, the driver, or both.

The ease of deniability

Drivers for rideshare companies are typically contractors. This means they lack many of the policies that commercial drivers often possess.

If you are injured by a rideshare driver, a rideshare company may argue that the driver’s conduct or app status affects responsibility, though coverage and liability depend on statutory requirements and the facts of the case. Common arguments in rideshare cases can complicate and prolong the claims process.

What should you do after a rideshare accident?

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may want to do the following:

• Call 911 and report the accident.
• Seek medical attention as soon as you can.
• Undergo the necessary medical treatment.
• Take photos and videos of the accident, vehicles, and scene.
• Gather witness information, such as names and phone numbers.
• Obtain a copy of the police report.
• Hold onto your medical records and accident report.
• Keep pay stubs that demonstrate the wages you lost due to your injury.
• Create a symptom journal documenting your day-to-day experience with the injury.
• Contact an experienced car accident lawyer.

Doing the above as soon as possible can make it easier for you to pursue compensation.

Is it a good idea to pursue damages after a rideshare accident?

In many cases, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation, though your ability to recover will depend on the specifics of your case. If you file a claim against the parties responsible for your rideshare accident, you may be able to seek compensation for reasonable medical care, pain and suffering, and lost wages due to your injury.

Dealing with rideshare companies is not easy. It can be helpful to work with a car accident lawyer.

Contact a Tulsa car accident lawyer today

At Biby Law Firm, we can help you pursue compensation for injuries sustained in a rideshare accident. Use this contact form to speak with one of our Tulsa car accident lawyers today. We can review the facts of your case and help you through every step of a complicated legal process.