This makes rideshare accidents unique in Florida where most drivers are only required to carry the base level of no-fault PIP coverage. In other words, you may have far more money available to you if you’re injured in a crash caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, but only if they’re on the app or actively in the process of picking up or transporting a passenger.

Leading Causes of Rideshare Accidents

There are a handful of additional risks rideshares add to Boca Raton roads. While these drivers are vulnerable to the same types of distracted or negligent driving as any other motorists, the nature of their work and the policies of rideshare companies themselves can increase the likelihood of crashes.

Driver Distractions

Rideshare drivers are often required to navigate unfamiliar streets or routes. They’re not professional taxi or delivery drivers, and they may have a large geographic area of service. These drivers typically don’t have the same knowledge of the areas in which they operate as someone who drives professionally as a full-time job.

As a result, rideshare drivers often spend a lot of time looking at their phones for directions on where to go. They may also be distracted by the app itself, like notifications for available passengers, receiving a tip or updates to their rating. There’s also an incentive for drivers to check their performance stats while they are logged into the app, even when actively operating their vehicle.

All of these distractions make it more likely a rideshare driver will be looking at their phone rather than the road.

Fatigue

For most Uber and Lyft drivers, transporting passengers via a rideshare app is not their primary source of income. It’s not uncommon for these drivers to work a full eight-hour day and then get on the road for another four or more hours as a rideshare driver. They may also drive during irregular hours, meaning they only get a few hours of sleep before getting back on the road.

Both of these scenarios can contribute to driver fatigue. Fatigued drivers are far more prone to lapses in attention, slower reaction times and impaired decision-making. Some studies have suggested that driving while being awake for 18 hours is comparable to driving with a .05 BAC, and driving after being awake for 24 hours is equivalent to driving with a .08 BAC – or essentially just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Inexperienced or Inadequately Trained Drivers

Rideshare drivers may vary widely in their experience and training. Inexperienced or inadequately trained drivers may struggle to handle challenging driving conditions, which could lead to a higher likelihood of accidents.

Traffic and Parking Violations

Rideshare drivers may be involved in accidents due to common traffic violations such as speeding, running red lights or failure to yield. These are more common if they’re trying to get more passengers or want to meet performance benchmarks set by the rideshare company. There’s an incentive built into the system, whether intentional or not, to cut corners on safe driving in order to make more money.

Unsafe stops for picking up or dropping off passengers are also common for rideshare drivers, especially if they’re not sure where they’re going or suddenly see their passenger and slam on their brakes while in the street. They might also stop in a lane of active traffic to let people in or drop them off.

These types of parking or stopping infractions aren’t just traffic law violations – they greatly increase the chance of rear-end collisions.

Vehicle Maintenance Issues

Rideshare drivers are responsible for the maintenance of their vehicles to prevent accidents. Neglecting routine maintenance checks can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts. While taxi or bus companies often handle maintenance and hold vehicles to certain standards, rideshare companies may not offer the same assurances.

Acceptance Rates

Rideshare drivers are often given bonuses or other incentives to maximize their acceptance rate. They may stay on the road longer than they should or drive recklessly to fit in more rides in order to keep their performance stats high and make more money.