Tulsa Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers
Helping Oklahoma victims get the compensation they deserve after a rideshare accident
The times are a-changin’. While many Tulsa residents have their own vehicles or rely on public transportation, residents and visitors are switching to Uber and Lyft rideshare services to travel. Uber and Lyft drivers do get into accidents, though, just like every other type of driver. If you are injured, you can make a claim for damages after a rideshare accident. However, Uber and Lyft claims have complexities to them that only an experienced personal injury attorney will know.
The experienced Tulsa Uber and Lyft lawyers at Biby Law Firm understand when and how rideshare companies are responsible for the negligence of their drivers. We also understand that many times Uber and Lyft drivers and their passengers are involved in collisions that are the fault of other vehicles. It is important for the Uber drivers and their passengers to have an attorney that knows how to explore all avenues of UM/UIM insurance when rideshare collisions occur. Biby Law Firm knows how to explore all avenues for you. We will do that and demand compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and your physical pain and emotional suffering. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Did you know?
According to an MIT study, the rise in rideshare services is increasing the fatality accident rate. This rise is due, in part, to rideshare drivers cruising the streets hoping for passengers and decreasing the use of public transportation options.
How do Uber and Lyft rideshare services work?
People who want an Uber or Lyft ride can create an account with the company and then request a ride, providing information about their location, their destination, and the date/time they need the ride. The request is then sent to the drivers who are logged into Uber’s or Lyft’s system.
When a rideshare driver accepts the ride, the app may provide the user with:
- The driver’s name
- A photograph of the driver
- The time for arrival
- The make, model, and color of the car
- The license plate number
The passenger can use this information to help ensure he/she is getting into the correct vehicle and in case there’s an accident. Riders should save their ride information to confirm the ride in case there is a crash.
Hiring practices by Uber and Lyft
In order to drive for a company like Uber or Lyft, potential hires have to meet several requirements. They must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, have a registered vehicle, and carry car insurance in their name. Both companies also require potential drivers to submit to a background check, which looks for a history of accidents, traffic violations, and criminal convictions.
Uber drivers in Tulsa must meet the following additional requirements:
- 15-year-old vehicle or newer
- 4-door vehicle
- Good condition with no cosmetic damage
- No commercial branding
The criteria for more deluxe rides such as UberX, Uber XL, and UberSELECT are even stricter.
What are the insurance requirements for Uber & Lyft drivers?
Since Uber & Lyft drivers use their own vehicles, they are required to meet Oklahoma’s minimum insurance requirements, which are:
- Bodily injury insurance for one person: $25,000
- Bodily injury insurance for multiple people in one accident: $50,000
- Property damage insurance for one accident: $25,000
Uber & Lyft also have insurance coverage for riders and passengers – up to $1 million in coverage – but there are a few conditions that must be met for the coverage to apply. The driver must be logged into the app for this coverage to kick in.
- If the driver is logged in but has not accepted a ride, the coverage is:
- $50,000 for bodily injury
- $100,000 for multiple injuries in one accident
- $25,000 in property damage.
- If the driver has accepted a ride, the coverage is $1 million.
Most drivers of Uber or Lyft vehicles are considered independent contractors and not employees. Generally, employers are liable for the negligence of their employees but not for the negligence of their independent contractors – unless there’s an exception.
Fortunately, there is such an exception. In Oklahoma, Uber and Lyft are required to carry liability insurance for their drivers. The insurance should cover any passengers in the Uber or Lyft vehicle. The insurance should also cover drivers or passengers in other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and bicycle riders.
Again, any eligible coverage applies to both the passengers and anyone else who is injured or killed by the driver.
Experienced Tulsa Uber and Lyft lawyers understand how critical it is to show the driver was logged in and had accepted a ride. We use a passenger’s confirmation of the ride as proof. We also seek all relevant computer records to confirm the ride and direct evidence, too. Direct evidence is the testimony of the victim, any witness, and the police officers called to the scene of the accident.
Can I use my uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in an Uber or Lyft accident case?
Generally, you can. If the driver did not have insurance or didn’t have enough insurance, passengers in the rideshare car and anyone else who is injured (other cars or bystanders) can use their own UM/UIM insurance. If the Uber/Lyft policy applies, then that policy pays first. If the rideshare policy doesn’t apply (or the damages are more than the rideshare policy), victims can use their own UM/UIM policy to claim damages. In addition, we are experienced in determining whether or not uninsured motorist coverage is provided by Uber and Lyft.
Speak with a compassionate Tulsa rideshare accident lawyer today
At Biby Law Firm, our practice focuses on personal injury – and only personal injury. We work with investigators and through discovery with the aim to prove defendants caused an accident. We work with your doctors, therapists, family, and friends to show how physical damaging and emotionally severe your injuries are. Our lawyers file wrongful death claims when a loved one dies. For help in Tulsa, call our distinguished rideshare accident lawyers at 918-505-7662 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment. We handle Uber and Lyft cases on a contingency fee basis. We proudly serve Oklahomans including the communities of Broken Arrow, Grove, Bixby, Claremore, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Wagoner, Muskogee, and the surrounding areas.