Rideshare services have made lives easier and more convenient for everyone, even those who own and drive cars. While it brings a host of advantages, such as enjoyable and reliable trips, lower carbon emissions, and reduced traffic congestion, ridesharing can also be quite risky. Car accidents can take place at any time, and unfortunately, that includes rideshares like Lyft and Uber. Below are 5 important accident statistics you need to be aware of.
- Ever since the introduction of rideshare services in 2010, there has been a spike in the general rate of accidents. In 2018, a research report published by the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business compared the rate of accidents before and after the introduction of rideshare apps throughout various cities. The research suggested that the number of car accidents per 100,000 jumped from 2 to 3.5 after Lyft and Uber overtook the market.
- As per the same study, the number of fatalities has also increased by 3% per year since the introduction of rideshare services. This number largely includes pedestrians and reaches an average of around 987 people per year. Besides endangering lives, the Department of Transportation estimates additional costs for these accidents, which total around $10 billion annually.
- The primary cause of rideshare accidents is distracted driving. Rideshare companies aren’t above human error, and unfortunately, distracted driving remains the most common cause of accidents among them, too. Moreover, around 69% of Uber drivers work two jobs, which means they are largely overworked and exhausted. The CDC states that reading or sending a text can be extremely dangerous when driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour. Other common reasons for rideshare accidents include driving under the influence, traffic violations, driving fatigue, and risky driving in poor weather conditions.
- Another scary aspect of using a rideshare service is that you could be trapping yourself with a dangerous criminal. Assault is one of the common reasons behind rideshare accidents. As per a safety report published in 2018 by Uber, there were 19 fatal physical assaults, out of which 8 were committed by riders, 7 by drivers, and 4 by third parties. In 2019, the company’s safety report showed that over 1500 Uber users were victims of sexual harassment of some type, and 247 users reported being raped while on a trip.
- Going in and out of a rideshare motor vehicle is becoming more dangerous. For example, in 2021, a Chicago man lost his life, and another individual was seriously injured during a rear-end rideshare collision on North Dusable Lake Drive. Moreover, Uber’s report related to accidents showed that from 2017 to 2018, 30% of accident fatalities were pedestrians. Moreover, 25% of these pedestrians were riders or drivers getting in or getting out of the vehicle.
Rideshare Safety Tips
- Proceed with caution. Research the driver before you step into the vehicle, and be aware of what is and what isn’t normal driver behavior.
- Sit in the back seat, as this will allow you to put some distance between yourself and the driver. It also makes it easier to quickly exit the car if the need arises.
- Verify the license plate and ensure the plate number is the same as the one on the app.
- Share your information with friends and family about the ride and provide them with your tracking information so they can look you up.
When to Call a Lawyer?
Rideshare services are designed to make your life easier. If your driver has endangered your safety in any way, contact a personal injury lawyer for more details. These professionals can take care of all the legal work and offer you any financial compensation you may be eligible for.
