Why Do Rideshare Drivers Cause Accidents?
Rideshare drivers get into accidents, just like other drivers. But if their negligence is at least part of the cause, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Recent research involved a survey of rideshare drivers and the possible causes of their accidents.
What are Rideshare Companies?
There are two rideshare companies in the United States — Uber and Lyft. They work through smartphone apps, though those with disabilities can call the companies to arrange rides. After downloading the app, you can seek drivers to reach your destination. You pay the driver through the app. You can rate the driver on the app to tell others about your experience, and drivers can rate you, too.
Uber started in 2009 and, by 2022, had $31.8 billion in revenue. Worldwide that year, the company, according to Ride Share Guy:
- Provided 64 billion trips
- Had 131 million active monthly users
- Had 5.4 million drivers
- Operated in 72 countries and more than 100,000 cities
Lyft launched in 2012 and is Uber’s main competitor. It has about a quarter of the rideshare market, while Uber has the rest.
Who Drives for Ridesharing Companies?
Both companies attract drivers by stating they would work for themselves (they’re not employees of these companies, but independent contractors), full or part-time. They should screen drivers before they start and take dangerous ones off their systems.
Gridwise reports the results of a 2020 survey of 750 rideshare drivers are as follows:
- They are mostly older than 30, with the biggest share (28%) in their 50s
- 77% are male
- 48% are married, and 17% are divorced
- 63% have children
- 62% drive full time
- 55% have college degrees (bachelors and or graduate degrees)
- 66% drive for Uber and Lyft
To drive for Uber, you must pass a background check, have at least one year of driving experience, and have insurance if you drive your car. Drivers may be removed from their system for poor passenger ratings, reports of unsafe driving, or an accident.
Is a Trip with a Rideshare Company Dangerous?
The study, published this year in the Journal of Safety Research, found that they don’t always drive with the safest habits or under the best conditions. However, they may be a safer option than driving if:
- You’re intoxicated or under the influence of drugs (illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter)
- Your vehicle is unsafe to drive
- Your physical or mental health makes you unsafe to drive
The research is based on a survey of 277 rideshare drivers. Ninety-one, or about a third, reported being in a work-related accident. Researchers found the following risk factors for these accidents:
- The driver is older
- Driving ten or more trips daily
- Driving on unfamiliar roads
- Driving while tired
Other issues that can increase the risk of an accident include the following:
- Smartphone use while driving
- Risky passenger behavior
- The need to work longer and take more trips to earn more causes driver fatigue
If your driver is not acting responsibly, if it’s safe, ask to be let out of the vehicle and get a ride with another driver. You can also report their driving to the company whose app you use.
Do Rideshare Drivers Carry Enough Insurance?
While their apps are on and drivers seek customers or drive them to their destination, each company offers passengers up to $1 million in accident insurance. Otherwise, drivers are covered by their insurance. Smart drivers will buy commercial insurance (personal vehicle coverage won’t cover you if driving is part of a job or business) with high coverage, but others may skimp on that to save money.
One million dollars is enough to cover most accidents, though it may not if catastrophic injuries or death are involved.
Depending on the circumstances, parties other than the driver may be partially responsible for the accident and provide additional financial recoveries. Other drivers may be at fault. Uber or Lyft may be accountable if your driver has a record of dangerous driving, but they failed to prevent them from using their system or didn’t remove them after getting unsafe driving complaints.
Speak To a Louisville Rideshare Accident Attorney Near You
We are your boots on the ground if you have been injured in a severe accident involving a rideshare driver in Kentucky. Call Satterley & Kelley PLLC to speak with a skilled accident injury lawyer today. Call our office in Louisville toll-free at 855-385-9532 or complete our contact form to get started.