Ten Facts About Uber Accidents

Posted on 12/19/22

in Uber Accidents

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have become a top form of transportation in every state, completely changing the way people navigate their own communities as well as during their travel. A significant 17% of people use rideshare apps daily, 26% use them at least monthly, and 56% of people use them less than monthly in the United States. 

With the increased number of vehicles on the road functioning as rideshares, accidents involving rideshare vehicles are also rising. Before you get into your next Uber or Lyft vehicle to get to the airport, commute to work, or ride home from the club, it’s important to know ten key facts about Uber accidents.

1. Understanding Rideshare Accident Insurance Coverage

Both Uber and Lyft have a complex system for accident claims that involves three different stages of driver activity to determine insurance coverage. 

  • When a rideshare driver is using his vehicle for personal reasons with the rideshare app turned off his/her own personal insurance policy provides coverage. 
  • When the app is on and the driver is seeking a passenger, the rideshare insurance policy covers accidents with $50,000 in bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident. 
  • While the driver is on the way to a scheduled pickup or actively transporting passengers their rideshare coverage provides up to $1 million dollars in personal injury protection and property damage.

2. Crashes Aren’t the Only Kinds of Uber Accidents and Incidents

Besides motor vehicle accidents, Uber drivers have been involved in pedestrian accidents, assaults, sexual assaults, and robberies. In other cases, Uber drivers have been the victims of assaults and robberies themselves, targeted by drunk, unruly, or criminal passengers.

3. Always Wear a Seatbelt in an Uber or Lyft Vehicle

Not wearing a seatbelt not only risks your life but also puts your ability to recover damages at risk since you could be considered partly at fault for any injuries you receive in an accident.

4. Rideshares Are Good for Transportation but Bad for the Environment

More and more people now use rideshare vehicles rather than public transportation but each rideshare vehicle runs a gas-powered engine while carrying far fewer passengers per trip, increasing emissions that are damaging to the environment. The fact that rideshare vehicles often cruise the streets while awaiting passengers contributes to carbon emissions as well as increases in pedestrian and bike accidents with Uber and Lyft vehicles.

5. The Rideshare Industry is on the Rise

The rideshare industry reported making $117 billion in sales as of 2021 and $10 billion in 2021 alone, rising over 50% since 2020. With rideshare use on the rise, public transport use in rail and bus systems is on the decline, decreasing from 1.2% to 1.7% per year since the rideshare industry began. Unfortunately, more rideshares on the roads also mean more accidents and typically more casualties than those associated with bus accidents.

6. Uber Use Outpaces Lyft in Accident Claims

Uber outpaces Lyft with 93 million active app users compared to Lyft’s 18.6 million users. While Lyft only operates in North America, Uber is global and also offers food delivery and executive services. There are more accident claims against Uber than Lyft but this may simply reflect the fact that there are more Uber drivers on the roads than Lyft drivers, especially in urban areas.

7. You Can Take Steps to Protect Yourself After an Uber Accident

If you experience an accident while in an Uber vehicle, you should immediately call 911 to report the accident. Then, if well enough, use your phone to photograph the scene, the involved vehicles, and the damage. Collect contact information for drivers and witnesses, and seek medical help immediately. Always ask for detailed copies of your medical notes and the police report.

8. Uber Is Protected Against Lawsuits

Both Uber and Lyft protect themselves from lawsuits through an app-sales-only business model. Their drivers are independent contractors and not employees. Therefore, accident claims focus on the driver’s insurance for compensation. In some cases, Uber has settled accident claims out of court.

9. Uber May Be Lowering DUI Arrests

Statistics show a steady decrease in DUI arrests corresponding to the popularity of Uber and other rideshare services, especially for transporting intoxicated passengers. While more cars on the road equal more accidents, the statistics suggest there may be fewer DUI-related accidents as a result of rideshare availability.

10. Uber and Lift Use the Same Background Check Service

Both leading rideshare companies use the background check service, Checkr. Checkr is an industry leader in background check technology and continues to update and improve its service with new technologies.

An experienced Florida Uber accident lawyer can help you with questions about your personal injury claim if you’ve experienced an Uber accident.