Rideshare Accidents: Who is Liable?

Rideshare services are becoming very popular in the United States and around the globe. For the most part, that is a good thing. People opting to use rideshare services to get around as opposed to driving themselves if they have had a couple of alcoholic drinks reduces drunk driving accidents. However, simply because a rideshare driver operates an automobile for a living, that doesn’t translate into complete safety for passengers or others on the road. If a rideshare accident happens, a common question is how passengers recoup compensation for their losses. Who would be liable?

Car accidents between private vehicles can be complicated, especially when figuring out who is responsible. For rideshare accidents, unraveling everything can be much more complex. When determining liability in a rideshare accident, not only does it matter who caused the accident, but it also matters if the driver was on the job or not.

For assistance with a car accident injury claim in Oklahoma, you are welcome to reach out to an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney at the Putnam Law Office.

Filing a Rideshare Accident Injury Claim

To file a claim, there must be a defendant to file against. This means there must be at least one party or entity that is responsible for causing the accident and who is liable to pay a victim for their damages.

Popular rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have insurance coverage for their drivers. So, when an accident happens by a rideshare driver, it could be possible to obtain money from the insurance policies that the rideshare company has for its drivers.

When a rideshare driver can be considered actively working and on the job, and an accident happens, a victim would typically look to the rideshare company’s insurance coverage to file a claim. However, simply because a rideshare driver is operating an automobile does not automatically mean that they are working. If a driver is not logged into their app and the driver is off-duty, then if they cause an accident, it is their own personal car insurance where a victim would file their claim.

Still, even if the circumstances of your rideshare accident mean that you would file a claim against the rideshare company, that does not mean that the process is going to be easy. The company may claim that you were wholly or partly responsible for the accident, and this is especially true if you had a crash with your own car and a rideshare driver’s automobile.

To obtain compensation after a rideshare accident, liability must be determined. Knowing who is responsible helps you figure out who you can file a claim against. Due to the complexity that is involved in such legal actions, working with an attorney can be advantageous.

Speak to an Attorney at the Putnam Law Office Today

A rideshare accident can leave you with severe injuries and emotional trauma. You deserve the most compensation possible from your claim. 

For help after a rideshare accident in Oklahoma, and to take legal action, please call the Putnam Law Office to schedule a free consultation at 405-724-7701.