Car accidents can happen to anyone at any time—and unfortunately, that includes rideshares like Uber and Lyft. Here are the rideshare accident stats you need to know before you ride.
None of us like to think about things going wrong when we get into a car. But the reality is that car accidents can happen to anyone at any time—and unfortunately, that includes rideshares like Uber and Lyft.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident or if you’re curious about your risk of being harmed when you ride Uber or Lyft, this article will give you the rideshare accident stats and information you need to make an informed decision about your next move.
The convenience of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft is undeniable. They’re affordable options for personal transportation, and they’re as easy as tapping a button on your phone.
In an ideal world, this kind of service would mean fewer drunk drivers, more carpooling, and an overall safer road for everyone.
And although, in theory, rideshares should help prevent accidents, the data from a recent rideshare accident study reveals that rideshares may actually have an adverse effect on road safety.
In 2018, The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business published a research brief titled “The Cost of Convenience: Rideshare and Traffic Fatalities.” The study compared data before and after the introduction of rideshare apps across several cities.
Researchers found that the number of accidents per 100,000 people increased from 2 to 3.5 after Uber and Lyft took the market by storm. The study surmises that the increase is attributable to the increased number of vehicles on the road as a result of rideshare services.
So even though rideshares may make getting around more accessible, they also increase the risk of accidents and accident-related injuries.
Perhaps the most concerning of the latest rideshare accident stats, The Booth study found that accident-related fatalities increased by 3% annually since the rideshare services were introduced. This number includes pedestrians and totals an average of 987 people per year.
These deaths pose a devastating cost to society. In addition to the pain and suffering caused by surviving loved ones, the Department of Transportation estimates that these additional accidents come at a $10 billion cost.
Like any other driver on the road, Uber and Lyft drivers aren’t immune to human error. Unfortunately, distracted driving is common among rideshare drivers, who often look at their GPS systems and use their smartphones to manage fares.
Additionally, 69% of Uber drivers have a full-time second job, meaning there are likely to be more overworked, sleepy, and stressed drivers on the road.
But is it really that big of a deal if your driver glances down to send or read a quick text?
According to the CDC, “At 55 miles per hour, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.”
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be willing to risk it.
Other common reasons for Uber and Lyft accidents include the following:
The truth is that you never know who you’re getting into the car with.
For instance, the LAPD tallied a total of 500 Uber and Lyft driver-committed crimes between 2016 and 2019. 100+ crimes included sexual assault, and almost 90% of those victims were women.
In a safety report published by Uber in 2018, Uber reported 19 fatal physical assaults, 8 of which were riders, 7 of which were drivers, and 4 were third parties.
And in 2019, Uber’s 2020 safety report showed that more than 1500 Uber users experienced non-consensual touching of a sexual body part, and 247 users reported being raped on a trip.
Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries aren’t an uncommon occurrence when it comes to rideshares. For instance, in 2021, tragedy struck when a Chicago man died, and another person was severely injured in a rear-end rideshare accident on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Uber’s 2018 rideshare accident stats report revealed that of the 107 total accident fatalities between 2017 and 2018, 30% were pedestrians. Additionally, 25% of these pedestrians were drivers or riders entering or exiting the vehicle.
So next time you decide to ride, use common sense and pay attention to your surroundings—especially if you’re getting in or out of the vehicle.
Now that we’ve covered the most shocking of the latest rideshare accident stats, here are a few of the most commonly asked questions we get about rideshare accidents.
While most victims will walk away from a rideshare accident with a few bumps and bruises, some may sustain more severe injuries.
Common rideshare accident injuries include:
1. Whiplash
2. Soft-tissue damage
3. Broken bones
4. Spinal cord damage
5. Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
If the rideshare driver is found to be at fault while logged into the app, Uber and Lyft will offer anywhere between $50,000 to $1 million in liability coverage. If the driver wasn’t logged in at the time of the incident, you’ll have to file your claim with the driver’s personal insurance.
If another driver is found to be at fault, the other driver will be responsible for paying for any accident-related losses.
Things get complicated if you’re injured by a driver who is under or uninsured, or worse if you’re the victim of a hit and run.
If you were in an Uber or Lyft accident in Illinois, you have two years to file any car accident injury claims. The clock starts ticking on the date of the incident, and if you risk missing your opportunity to recover financial losses.
Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents can be extremely complicated, as competing insurance companies represent opposing interests. Therefore, it’s best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the legal complexities and maximize your settlement.
A rideshare accident lawyer can help you recover damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and more. If you’re the surviving family member or dependent of someone involved in a rideshare fatality, you may be entitled to damages as well, including funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and medical expenses.
The best way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve is to speak with a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible.
If the rideshare driver is found to be at fault, Uber and Lyft may provide up to $1 million in liability coverage. But you’ll need to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance company if you’re injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver who wasn’t logged into the app.
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, it’s important to seek medical attention and speak with an experienced rideshare accident injury lawyer as soon as possible. A rideshare accident attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Chicago personal injury attorney Jordan Marsh for a free consultation at (224) 220-9000 or at jordan@jmarshlaw.com.
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