Uber & Lyft Crashes: Convenience Over Safety
The demand for ridesharing service is growing quickly. However, many people are becoming more aware of the risks of hiring these “non-taxi” drivers to get us around town.
Uber has been around for more than ten years. During that time, it has effectively has revolutionized the lives of many people across the globe. Hailing a ride is cheaper than ever before, with greater level accessibility which has increased convenience tremendously. Many people have given up owning vehicles entirely due to these services. As Lyft and Uber continue to make in-roads in the industry, more and more consumers are leaving taxis in the past.
However, as the convenience of using a rideshare service over a typical taxi service has become more common, the safety and legal liability still seem to be a gray area. Many people are not sure what would happen in the event of a rideshare collision or who would be responsible for the damages.
Uber & Lyft Are Not Taxis
When you schedule a taxi, you are basically entering into an agreement with a taxi service provider. In the event of a crash, the company’s insurance policy will come into play in order to cover your resulting damages.
When you are involved in a crash while a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may be covered by the driver’s insurance or the company’s insurance policies. This is where the situation can become tricky. Neither of the companies is happy with covering you crash-related expenses, particularly if serious injuries are involved. In most cases, you would need to consult with a New Jersey Uber/Lyft car crash attorney in order to make sure your expenses are settled in a timely and proper fashion.
Ridesharing Services Increased the Number of Accidents
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business found that the rise of ridesharing services has led to an increase in traffic fatalities across the country. Some have said there may have been a 2 to 3% percent increase in roadway deaths related to Uber.
Other issues associated with the growing use of rideshare services are the greater levels of congestion and decreased use of public transportation. Both of these can potentially lead to greater environmental harm while also making life less convenient for those living in the city.
Some cities have already started to deal with the issue. For instance, New York introduced a cap on ridesharing services in 2018 and extended it for one more year in August 2019.
Leading Causes of Rideshare Accidents
The great convenience of using rideshare services is beginning to be offset by real risks. The most common reason for rideshare collisions include:
- Speeding. Rideshare drivers may be mindful about maintaining the speed limit when carrying a passenger in order to get their five-star review, they are likely to speed in order to pick up the next passenger.
- Lack of experience. When you hire a taxi, you are more likely to enjoy a ride with an experienced driver than when you hail an Uber or Lyft. Drivers only have to have a single year of driving experience in order to work for a rideshare company.
- Drowsy driving. In the pursuit to make more money on the job, rideshare drivers will often overwork themselves. Because of this, you could be dealing with a fatigued driver behind the wheel, substantially increasing your likelihood of getting into a crash.
- Distraction. While you are being taken to your destination by your rideshare driver, they may be distracted by the rideshare app while taking on a new order. Drivers will typically look at their smartphones to secure new clients faster than their competition, pulling their focus off the road.
- Improper vehicle maintenance. Rideshare drivers will typically fail to maintain their vehicles as they should due to a lack of time and finances. Because of this, many passengers are injured due to blown tires, poorly maintained brake systems, or defective airbags.
Concluding Thoughts
While ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are a massive convenience to most people, they fail to offer the same promises as taxis, which can complicate the insurance payment process. As the rate of ridesharing collisions is increasing, more and more passengers are finding themselves dealing with unfulfilled injury claims. IN certain cases, proper expense coverage is impossible with the help of a New Jersey rideshare crash attorney.
For more information on injury claims related to rideshare crashes, contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC today to discuss your case.
Uber/Lyft Crash Attorneys in New Jersey
There have been recent studies establishing a link between the creation of Uber and an increase in roadway fatalities in the United States. Across the country, traffic fatalities have increased, with some sources reporting a 2 to 3% rise. This means an additional 1,100 people are dying annually, but why this is the case is not exactly clear at this time. More Uber drivers mean that there are more cars on the road and more miles being driven, and many drivers for Uber and Lyft are not provided the necessary training to make sure that they will not put their passengers in danger.
Those who are injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle should consult with an Uber/Lyft crash lawyer in New Jersey immediately in order to better understand their legal options. The legal team at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC is here to help you make sure that your case is treated fairly and that the liable driver is held accountable for his or her actions. We will fight to make sure that you recover the compensation you deserve so that your life can get back on track. Contact our personal injury law offices today at (201) 997- 0030 if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a crash involving a rideshare driver.
