What to Do If You Are in an Accident While Ridesharing with Uber or Lyft

In a paper titled “The cost of convenience”, a researcher at the University of Chicago was able to conclude that there was a rise in accidents in around 1100 locations whose data was analyzed, and in these areas, Rideshare, Uber and Lyft ride-hailing services were available. This rise in accidents can be attributed to these ridesharing services, and roughly cost over $10 billion in losses to the economies annually.

The common assumption was that with the ride-hailing services present, there would be a decrease in car accidents since there would be less drunk driving, driving while tired or any other form of distracted driving. However, in the areas surveyed, an increase of 2-4% in car accidents was observed. The reason for this increase in car accidents is that there is a vast number of vehicles on the roads.

The ride-hailing services require many vehicles so as to satisfy the demand of customers traversing the territories, which in itself increases the chances of accident occurrence. Although there are merits to having ridesharing services, these advantages are canceled out by the disadvantages of having many vehicles on the road.

Rideshare & Safety

Further, the ridesharing services are not entirely safe; the drivers rely on GPS and mobile phone applications so as to operate, which involves taking their eyes off the road every now and then. These drivers are always on the rush to their next destination, and also stop abruptly on roads to pick and drop off passengers, and this may also contribute to the occurrence of the increased accidents.

Around the United States, there have been many accidents that involve ride share, Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services. For instance, a woman was struck and killed by an Uber driver in North Philadelphia in the wee hours of the morning.  In another incident in Florida, an Uber passenger was killed when the car he was riding in ran a red light and struck a police car that was speeding through the intersection. In an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, a passenger was killed in Sacramento, California, after the vehicle veered off the road and hitting a tree.

With the incidence of accident on the rise, it is therefore important for passengers, pedestrians and other road users to know what to do in the event they are involved in an accident. The Rideshare, Uber and Lyft apps do not explicitly give instructions on what passengers should do when an accident occurs, other than giving the basics to their drivers; calling 911 and ensuring that the passengers are okay.

Rideshare Companies And You as a Passenger

As a passenger, it is important to gather as much information about the crash as possible. First, it is important to get the Rideshare, Lyft or Uber driver’s name, their address and phone number, which may already be available on the app. Second, it is important to get the other driver’s name, address, and phone number as well. Third, one should collect insurance information from both drivers, and their vehicle information-car license plate numbers, car make, color and so forth. It is also important to collect the names, phone numbers, and addresses of any witnesses.

If possible, the passenger should take pictures and notes regarding any car damage, injuries and any other relevant aspect of the accident. Having this information goes a long way in resolving the accident and ensuring that adequate compensation is received.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you are injured in a Tampa car accident. Then contact Vanguard Attorneys to ensure that all your rights and options are protected moving forward. Vanguard Attorneys is a local Tampa, FL law firm that has been serving the community for years. Call now for your free consultation with an attorney.