Understanding Car Accidents and Ridesharing Services
Victims of car accidents are entitled to compensation for their injuries. In most car accident cases, compensation is provided by the at-fault driver's insurance company.
When a car accident happens with a ridesharing vehicle, obtaining compensation for injuries can be more complex. The attorneys at Tawwater Law Firm understand the complexities of car accidents and ridesharing services in and around Oklahoma City, OK and can help you in your time of need.
Ridesharing Drivers May Be More or Less Skilled
Ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft, allow people to hire others to drive them whenever and wherever they need. The convenience and availability on demand has made ridesharing services increasingly popular over recent years.
Although ridesharing services offer many benefits, a lack of driver oversight can put passengers and other motorists at risk of being injured in a car accident. Consider the following:
- Rideshare drivers are not specially trained: Because passengers pay for ridesharing services, many forget that the people who are being paid to drive aren't professional drivers and aren't trained by the service they work under.
- Driver oversight is often limited: When it comes to oversight of their drivers, most ridesharing services only perform background checks and a review of driver's records, which does not actually evaluate a person's skill in driving. A clean driving record doesn't guarantee someone is a good driver. After all, a person's driving record doesn't include close calls.
- Drivers may be inexperienced: The requirements for how long a driver needs to be licensed before driving for a rideshare company varies by company. Some require three years and some as little as one year.
Causes of Ridesharing Car Accidents
Ridesharing car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Sometimes the rideshare driver is at fault, other times an accident may be caused by someone else.
When it comes to ridesharing drivers, distracted driving may be one of the biggest causes of car accidents. It's not uncommon for ridesharing drivers to rely on GPS to get passengers around town, which means some drivers may spend a lot of time looking at their GPS screen instead of the road.
Drivers may also become distracted and lose focus by trying to make conversation with passengers. When drivers lose focus, they put themselves and their passengers at risk of an accident.
Here are several other possible causes of ridesharing car accidents:
- Driving above the speed limit
- Inexperienced driving
- Driving too fast for weather or road conditions
- Disobeying traffic signals and laws
- Not yielding the right of way
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while fatigued
Seeking Damages in Accidents Caused by a Rideshare Driver
Those who have been injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Recovering damages can be complicated when ridesharing vehicles are involved. In some cases, the rideshare driver's insurance will need to pay out damages while in other cases the rideshare company's insurance may need to be involved.
Knowing which insurance company is responsible and will pay a fair settlement can be confusing, especially when recovering from the injuries and trauma of a car accident. Because of this, it is important to consult an experienced car accident attorney.
Speaking with a car accident attorney can help hold at-fault parties liable and ensure victims obtain the maximum settlement for their injuries.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been injured in a ridesharing car accident, you are encouraged to call (405) 607-1400 to schedule a consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. Our team is standing by to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
