Oklahoma Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney
Representing People Injured in Rideshare Car Accidents
Rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar are popping up in cities across the globe. They're giving taxi and limousine drivers a lot of competition. Of course, taxi and limo drivers aren’t too happy about this, but customers seem to be. A rideshare car can be summoned at any time of day through an application (app) on a Smartphone. A nearby driver will pick you up and drive you to your desired location. Customers like using a rideshare to get around town because it’s more convenient and quite a bit cheaper than taxis or limos.
Though rideshare companies have been around for years, they’re still controversial. Questions concerning safety and liability have been raised.
Consult an Experienced Attorney at (405) 883-4487
If you're in an accident while in a rideshare vehicle, or in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, it's important to consult an experienced Oklahoma City vehicle accident attorney. Attorney Ray Maples has represented drivers and passengers for over a decade. He's won clients hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements. Call his office today at (405) 883-4487 for a free consultation.
Issues About Ridesharing
Since the launch of Uber, rideshare companies have faced a rash of opposition, and unanswered questions about their legality and liability. While rideshare drivers must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and pass a vehicle inspection and background check, they aren’t trained drivers. They don’t have commercial driver’s licenses. In fact, most ride share drivers don’t have commercial vehicle insurance.
This creates many gray areas about liability. While Uber and Lyft do carry $1 million liability insurance policies for drivers, in most states those policies are only in effect while the driver is transporting the passenger. While the driver has the app activated and is waiting for a ride request or driving to pick up a rider, the driver’s personal auto insurance is in effect. This gray area gives the driver’s personal auto insurance company a loophole to avoid liability.
Since the driver doesn’t have commercial insurance, but is using their vehicle for commercial purposes at the time, the insurer could try to deny coverage.
New Year’s Eve, San Francisco, 2013
The rideshare insurance gap was tragically illustrated on December 31st, 2013 in San Francisco. That night, an Uber driver logged onto the app but not carrying a passenger struck a family of three in a crosswalk. A six year old girl was killed. The Uber driver was charged with misdemeanor manslaughter. It was later learned that he had been convicted of reckless driving 10 years before. Uber denied liability because the driver was not carrying a passenger at the time of the accident. The little girl’s family later sued Uber for wrongful death, claiming that the driver had been distracted by the Uber app when the accident happened.
Changes in Policies and New Laws Passed
Since the horrific San Francisco accident, Uber has extended its liability coverage. California and Colorado passed laws requiring ride shares to cover drivers during these gray areas. But, laws vary by state. With ride sharing being an emerging technology, it hasn't yet been tested in court.
The important thing is to protect yourself.
If you’ve been in an accident involving a rideshare driver, you need to consult a skilled attorney. Insurance companies are always looking for a way to avoid paying out money. You need an experienced advocate on your side. Call the Oklahoma offices of Attorney Ray Maples at (405) 883-4487. He will fight for you.