Uber And Lyft Accidents: The Dangers Of Ride-Hailing

A new era is arriving in the world of transportation, and the forefront is ride-sharing. In a city where parking can be impossible and public transportation isn’t very accessible, the ease and convenience of ride-sharing has created a boom for companies such as Uber and Lyft.

At Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP, our lawyers know that a significant danger lurks behind this impressive advancement in technology. Ride-sharing accidents cause injuries and take lives every year. As the transportation services keep growing in popularity, these wrecks will become more common.

Uber And Lyft Accident Causes

Before summoning the next car, consider how car accidents are setting legal precedents and helping to define your rights in Austin, Texas, even when they occur all over the country. Reasons for ride-hailing accidents include:

• Distracted driving: An Uber or Lyft driver must stay connected to a network not only to pick up riders, but also to track their trips and receive payment. Drivers may not be familiar with the area they are navigating and often must rely heavily on their phones, which can mean they’re not watching the road.
• Rushing: Ride-sharing drivers get paid for each ride. This provides financial incentive to rush, attempting to fit as many rides as possible in each ride. In the same way that semitruck drivers rush when paid by the mile, ride-sharing drivers take risks to increase their paychecks.
• Self-driving cars: As we have learned from recent events, self-driving cars are not an infallible technology. Though they may appear to be a safer alternative to human drivers, these vehicles have also caused deadly accidents.
• Erratic behavior: When the GPS notifies drivers that they have arrived, many simply stop at the curb and put on their emergency flashers, rather than pulling safely into a parking lot. If a rider is giving directions, drivers may also have a tendency to change lanes quickly and without proper notice, increasing the likelihood of a collision.
• Tired drivers: A driver who stays on the road for too long or works late into the night could suffer from dangerous exhaustion behind the wheel. Since sleep deprivation can have effects on your body similar to those caused by drinking alcohol, accidents caused by tired drivers are always a possibility.

The Complexities Of The Case

Uber and Lyft accidents grow complex quickly. Was another driver involved? As a passenger, you know you were not at fault, but does fault lie with the other driver or your driver? How is fault determined and what impact does that have on your right to seek compensation? These are all questions you’ll ask, perhaps even as you recover in the hospital and your medical bills start coming in, and you must have an experienced legal team to help you sort through all the specifics.

Even when fault is clear, these cases are typically vastly different from other car accidents. Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft carry substantial insurance policies. For instance, Uber has a total liability coverage that reaches at least $1 million.

For you, the key is to work with a high-caliber legal team as early as possible. Protect your rights. Fight for justice. Seek the compensation you deserve. The transportation industry may evolve, but your rights remain the same, and they must be protected when negligence leads to serious injuries.

Call Us Now

Has an accident left you with high medical bills, significant pain and suffering, and budget deficits after lost wages? We have been helping people just like you since 1959. Call us today at or contact us online. We offer consultations with an experienced attorney, and we fight for your rights with honesty, integrity and excellence.