Bikeshare programs have transformed how some Oklahoma residents get around their cities. These convenient, affordable bikes offer a quick way to run errands or enjoy the outdoors. However, bikeshare accidents happen more often than many people realize.
When defective equipment, inadequate maintenance, or unsafe conditions cause you to crash, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Abel Law Firm helps injured bikeshare riders in Tulsa recover the money they need to heal and move forward. Our team has spent over 50 years fighting for injured Oklahomans, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Why Choose Abel Law Firm for Your Bikeshare Accident Claim
When you’re injured in a bikeshare accident, you need a law firm with the experience and resources to take on rental companies and their insurance carriers. Abel Law Firm brings decades of proven success to your case.
Our firm has recovered over $550 million for injured clients throughout Oklahoma. We have five attorneys on staff, including multiple Super Lawyers recognized by their peers as among the top 5% of attorneys in the state. T. Luke Abel, our managing partner, earned the title of Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability from Best Lawyers in America in both 2023 and 2025. Kelly Bishop has been named a Super Lawyer for 13 consecutive years. Matthew Wade holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating available.
Our lawyers handle bikeshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. We offer free consultations 24/7, and our Tulsa office is ready to help you right now. We’ve earned a 5.0 rating on Google with over 220 client reviews, and our firm has been recognized for excellence in personal injury law for three consecutive years.
Common Causes of Bikeshare Accidents in Tulsa
Bikeshare accidents occur for many reasons, but most involve either defective equipment or unsafe conditions. Understanding what caused your accident is the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable. Our Tulsa personal injury lawyers have handled hundreds of cases involving equipment defects and negligent maintenance.
Defective Equipment and Maintenance Issues
Bikeshare companies have a legal duty to maintain their bikes in safe, working condition. When they fail to do this, riders get hurt. Common equipment defects include faulty brakes that don’t stop the bike, broken chains that slip or snap, bent frames that affect handling, and damaged tires that cause blowouts. Many bikeshare accidents result from inadequate maintenance by the rental company. Bikes sit in the sun and rain, get used multiple times per day, and sometimes don’t receive proper inspections between riders. Poor quality control means defective bikes stay in circulation longer than they should.
This type of negligence falls under product liability law, which holds manufacturers and rental companies responsible for injuries caused by defective or poorly maintained equipment. When bikeshare companies fail to maintain their fleets, injured riders can pursue claims for premises liability and equipment defects. Defective equipment claims require proving the company knew or should have known about the hazard.
Unsafe Operating Conditions
Even a well-maintained bike can cause an accident if the riding environment is unsafe. Poorly maintained bike lanes with potholes, cracks, or debris force riders to swerve into traffic. Hazardous road conditions like loose gravel, standing water, or debris create dangerous situations. Inadequate signage or warnings about road hazards leave riders unprepared for obstacles ahead. These conditions often overlap with slip and fall hazards that create premises liability for property owners and municipalities.
Road defects and hazardous conditions are a common cause of bicycle accidents in Tulsa. When municipalities or property owners fail to maintain safe riding surfaces, they may be held liable under government tort law for injuries that result.
Rider Negligence vs. Company Liability
Oklahoma follows comparative fault rules, which means more than one party can share responsibility for an accident. However, bikeshare companies often bear the primary responsibility because they control the equipment and maintain the bikes. Even if you made a mistake while riding, the rental company may still be liable if their equipment was defective or their maintenance was inadequate. User agreements that riders sign when they rent a bike often try to limit the company’s liability, but Oklahoma courts don’t always enforce these limitations, especially when the company’s negligence caused serious injuries.
Understanding comparative negligence in Oklahoma is critical to your case. Even a partial fault on your part doesn’t eliminate the company’s responsibility for maintaining safe equipment.
Injuries from Bikeshare Accidents
Bikeshare accidents can cause serious, life-altering injuries. The most common injuries from bikeshare accidents can include:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are among the most serious injuries from bikeshare accidents. Even crashes at low speeds can cause concussions, bleeding in the brain, or permanent cognitive damage. Traumatic brain injuries require immediate medical attention and can have lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, and personality.
- Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care and assistance. Spinal cord injuries often require specialized rehabilitation and ongoing medical care that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
- Broken bones and fractures are common, including broken arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones.
- Road rash and soft tissue injuries cause painful abrasions and scarring.
- Internal injuries like organ damage or internal bleeding may not be immediately obvious, but can be life-threatening. In the most severe cases, bikeshare accidents result in wrongful death.
Riders have no protection like car passengers do, so they absorb the full impact of a crash. The severity of injuries often determines the value of your claim and the compensation you can recover.
What to Do After a Bikeshare Accident in Tulsa
The steps you take immediately after a bikeshare accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Act quickly to protect your rights and preserve evidence. Contacting a Tulsa bikeshare accident attorney within days of your accident is critical.
Immediate Steps
Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Document the scene by taking photos of the damaged bike, the accident location, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. File a police report if the accident occurred on a public road or involved another vehicle. Report the accident to the bikeshare company through their app or website.
Proper documentation is essential for personal injury claims. The more evidence you gather at the scene, the stronger your case will be.
Preserve Evidence
Keep the defective bike and don’t let the rental company take it back. The bike itself is crucial evidence of what went wrong. Obtain maintenance records from the bikeshare company if possible. Gather written statements from witnesses while their memories are fresh. Document all medical treatment, including hospital visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy, and any ongoing care. Keep receipts for all medical expenses, medications, and related costs.
Evidence preservation is one of the most important steps in building a strong bikeshare accident claim. The defective bike, maintenance records, and medical documentation all support your case.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover
Oklahoma law allows injured bikeshare riders to recover several types of compensation from the responsible party. Understanding what damages you can claim helps you evaluate settlement offers and negotiate with insurance companies.
- Medical expenses cover all bills and costs related to your injury, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and future medical care you’ll need.
- Lost wages compensate you for the income you missed while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries prevent you from working in the future, you can recover lost earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement damages account for lasting changes to your body or abilities.
- In cases where the bikeshare company’s conduct was grossly negligent, you may recover punitive damages designed to punish the company and deter similar behavior in the future.
Economic and non-economic damages both play important roles in calculating your total recovery. Our attorneys work to maximize both categories to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Bikeshare Company Liability in Oklahoma
Bikeshare companies operate under specific legal duties in Oklahoma. Understanding these duties helps explain why you may have a valid claim.
Rental companies have a duty to maintain their equipment in a safe, working condition. This duty extends to regular inspections, prompt repairs, and removal of defective bikes from circulation. User agreements that riders sign when they rent a bike attempt to limit the company’s liability, but Oklahoma courts have limits on how much liability companies can waive, especially when gross negligence is involved.
Insurance coverage considerations matter because bikeshare companies typically carry liability insurance that covers injuries caused by defective equipment or negligent maintenance. If another party caused your accident—such as a driver who hit you while you were riding a bikeshare bike—you may have an insurance dispute claim against that driver’s insurance as well.
Understanding the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Oklahoma is essential. Oklahoma’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. Acting quickly preserves evidence and protects your legal rights. The two-year deadline is firm, and missing it means losing your right to compensation forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I've been injured in a bikeshare accident?
Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Document the scene with photos and gather witness information. Report the accident to the bikeshare company and file a police report if necessary. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering full compensation.
Can I sue the bikeshare company for a defective bike?
Yes. Bikeshare companies have a legal duty to maintain their equipment in a safe condition. If a defect caused your accident and injuries, you have a claim for product liability or negligence against the rental company. This is true even if you signed a user agreement, because Oklahoma courts limit how much liability companies can waive through these agreements.
How long do I have to file a bikeshare accident lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of your injury. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit or settle your claim. If you wait longer, you lose your right to recover compensation. Don’t delay—contact a Tulsa personal injury lawyer immediately to protect your rights.
What if I were partially at fault for the bikeshare accident?
Oklahoma follows comparative fault rules. You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you would recover 80% of the total amount of compensation. This makes it even more important to have an experienced attorney who can minimize your percentage of fault and maximize your recovery.
Contact Abel Law Firm for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a bikeshare accident in Tulsa, don’t wait to get help. Abel Law Firm offers free consultations 24/7 with no obligation. Our firm handles bikeshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Learn more about bicycle accidents in Tulsa and how Abel Law Firm can help you recover. Visit our results and case outcomes to see how we’ve helped injured clients throughout Oklahoma. For more information about our firm, visit our Tulsa office page. You can also view T. Luke Abel’s profile on Avvo for additional attorney information.
Call (918) 777-7046 today to speak with an experienced bikeshare accident attorney. We are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Let us handle the legal work while you focus on healing.
