Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Statistics: Your Legal Rights

Researchers analyzed the safety implications of the rise of rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar. They found that the increased use of these services could lead to a 3% increase in overall car accident fatalities. In addition, the researchers discovered that nearly 1,000 people die each day in the United States because of cars driven by drivers who work for rideshares. This represents about one out of every 10 auto fatalities nationwide.

The researchers reviewed data from the eight quarters leading up to the launch date of the app and looked at the percentage of trips taken via rideshare versus traditional taxi cabs. They also examined how the number of rideshare trips changed over time, and compared those figures against the number of vehicle miles traveled per capita in different cities around the world.

The researchers concluded that the rise of rideshare apps has led to a significant increase in the number of vehicles on the roads and that the vast majority of those vehicles are operated by individuals who do not hold commercial licenses.

The world of ride-sharing is filled with stories about drivers committing crimes while behind the wheel. One such case involves a man named Justin Dalton who shot up a car full of passengers during a deadly shooting spree in 2016. He killed six people and wounded two others.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and one count of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm. At his sentencing hearing in April, he received a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the chance of parole.

Motorists involved in car accidents caused by commercial vehicles such as taxis, limousines, buses, trucks, etc., are generally held liable for injuries or deaths sustained by passengers or pedestrians injured in the crash. However, the law does provide some exceptions for those who operate commercial vehicles under contract with another entity. For example, drivers working for ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are considered independent contractors rather than employees of the company. This means that they do not fall within the scope of employment laws governing employer responsibilities.

However, there are still many questions about how liability for rideshare crashes falls upon the parties involved. Here are key points to consider:

When it comes to determining responsibility for injuries or death resulting from a commercial vehicle accident, the law holds both the driver and the owner of the vehicle responsible. In cases where the driver is operating his or her own vehicle, the driver's personal auto insurance policy usually covers any injuries or deaths incurred in the crash. When the driver is employed by a rideshare company, however, the rideshare company's insurance policy typically takes over.

As mentioned above, rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Therefore, they don't fall under the same rules regarding worker benefits and compensation. Instead, they're required to purchase their own personal automobile insurance policy. Drivers must also maintain at least $1 million worth of third-party liability insurance coverage. Third-party liability coverage provides protection against claims filed by people who suffer bodily injury or property damage due to the negligence of others.

An experienced accident lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, can help you with your rideshare accident case. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.