Rideshare Car Accidents

This makes rideshare vehicle accidents unique, since 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 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. 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.

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

Fatigue

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, such as the middle of the night or early morning.

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.

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.

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.