July 3, 2025 | Wrongful Death

Ridesharing is a popular form of transportation in Oklahoma. However, sadly, serious crashes happen. Fatal Uber accidents and fatal Lyft accidents have been reported in recent years. If your loved one was killed in a crash involving a ridesharing vehicle, it is imperative that you know how to get justice for your family. Here, our Oklahoma City wrongful death attorney explains who can file a civil claim after a fatal rideshare crash in Oklahoma. 

What is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil legal claim. Under Oklahoma law (12 OK Stat § 1053), a wrongful death is one that happened because of negligence or another wrongful act. A wrongful death lawsuit in Oklahoma following a rideshare crash allows surviving family members to seek compensation when a loved one dies due to another’s negligence.  

Who is liable in a rideshare wrongful death lawsuit? In Oklahoma, wrongful death liability involving a rideshare crash largely depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. If the driver was logged into the Uber or Lyft app and actively waiting for a ride request, the company’s contingent liability policy may apply. If the driver had accepted a ride or was transporting a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s full commercial insurance coverage would have applied. Otherwise, their personal insurance may apply. 

An Overview of Wrongful Death Eligibility in Oklahoma 

Who files the wrongful death lawsuit for a fatal rideshare accident? Under Oklahoma law, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate has the legal authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit. No surviving family member files the lawsuit directly. Instead, it is the personal representative who is responsible for bringing the claim. To be clear, the personal representative acts on behalf of the surviving family members and the estate. Here is an overview of the actual beneficiaries of a wrongful death lawsuit for a fatal rideshare crash in Oklahoma, in order: 

  • Surviving spouse; 
  • Surviving children; 
  • Next of kin, and
  • The estate. 

How wrongful death damages are distributed depends, in part, on the specific circumstances of the fatal rideshare accident case. An experienced Oklahoma City wrongful death attorney can review your case and help you take action to get justice and accountability. 

The executor of the estate, as named in the will, generally serves as the personal representative in a wrongful death case. However, if no personal representative is named in a will, the court can appoint one. Often it will be a spouse, parent, or adult child. 

Call Our Oklahoma City Wrongful Death Lawyer Today


At McGuire Law Firm, our Oklahoma City wrongful death attorneys are committed to doing right by grieving families. If your loved one was killed in a ridesharing crash, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free, completely confidential case review. Our firm handles fatal Uber and Lyft accident claims throughout the state of Oklahoma.