About Plantation Rideshare Accidents
Ridesharing has increased in popularity since its advent in 2009 when Uber came onto the scene. Three years later, Lyft followed. Today, Uber and Lyft dominate the rideshare market, with Lyft slowly creeping up on Uber’s share. According to Statista, Uber’s share of the rideshare market in 2017 was 74 percent, dropping to 69 percent in July 2021. Lyft’s market share stood at 31 percent in the same time period, as the two rideshare giants have effectively squeezed all their competitors out. If you are involved in a rideshare accident, it can be extremely helpful to have the assistance of a Plantation rideshare accident attorney from The Law Offices of Nerina Smart, P.A. in your corner. It can be more difficult to secure compensation for your injuries and damages in ride-share accidents and having a strong advocate fighting for your rights can make all the difference.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?
Although Uber and Lyft are popular ways to get from one place to another without the typical stresses and responsibilities of driving yourself, accidents do happen. Like any driver, a rideshare driver can become distracted while driving—and may actually have more distractions. A rideshare driver has an app running that provides passenger information as well as pick-up and drop-off points. The driver is focused on the map displayed on their navigation system and may also be engaged in conversation with the passenger. These multiple distractions can significantly increase the likelihood of a car accident.
Rideshare drivers are often navigating unfamiliar roads in busy cities, increasing the chances of unexpected stops and sudden turns, and resulting in generally unsettling driving. Because many rideshare drivers use their Uber or Lyft job as a second paycheck, they are more likely to be driving while fatigued and driving early in the morning or late at night.
When an Uber or Lyft driver picks up passengers, they usually don’t bother to find an actual parking spot. This “improvised” parking can lead to auto accidents. Similarly, excessive speed as rideshare drivers rush to collect as many fares as possible also lead to high rate of accidents. Finally, while Lyft and Uber have initial vehicle maintenance requirements, there is no guarantee the driver will keep up the maintenance. Vehicle maintenance problems can often lead to breakdowns and car accidents.
Uber Accidents
According to the Uber U.S. Safety Report, while you are less likely to be involved in a fatal accident with an Uber driver than in your own vehicle, Uber crashes do occur. In 2017, there were 49 Uber-related crash fatalities, and in 2018, that number increased to 58. This comes out to 0.59 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, compared to a national average of 1.17 fatalities per vehicle miles traveled. Although these numbers sound good, the periods of time when an Uber driver has no passengers are not included. The majority of the fatal Uber collisions were the result of a crash with another vehicle, while 31 percent involved an Uber driver and a pedestrian or bicyclist. If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, contact a Plantation Uber accident attorney.
Lyft Accidents
The Lyft Safety Report stated there were 22 fatalities in 2017, 34 in 2018, and 49 in 2019. These numbers equal 0.78, 0.72, and 0.79 (2017, 2018, and 2019) Lyft-related crash fatalities per 100 million miles traveled. Compare these numbers to Uber’s 0.59 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, the United States average of 1.17 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled. These numbers would seem to suggest that you are less likely to die in a rideshare vehicle than in your own vehicle—and that Uber drivers are at least marginally safer drivers than Lyft drivers. Like Uber, Lyft has no readily available statistics regarding accidents with injuries. If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, contact a compassionate Plantation Lyft accident lawyer.
How Do I Handle My Plantation Rideshare Accident?
While assigning responsibility for a rideshare accident can be much more complex than for an accident in your own vehicle, the process following the accident is essentially the same:
- Call 911 for the police and medical assistance
- Seek medical attention for your injuries
- Take photos of the scene of the accident with your phone
- Make sure to save your ride receipt on your phone
- Contact a Plantation rideshare accident attorney as quickly as possible
Who Can Be Compensated After a Rideshare Accident?
When determining whether you can be compensated for your rideshare accident injuries, there are many facts that will contribute. If the rideshare accident was the fault of another driver, then the passengers and driver in the rideshare vehicle can hold that driver liable for their injuries. If the rideshare driver was at fault for the accident, as a passenger or a driver of the other vehicle, you would first turn to the driver’s insurance policy. The driver’s insurance might not cover the accident because the driver does not carry additional insurance to cover using the vehicle for business.
The driver might not have sufficient insurance—or could have no insurance at all, even though Uber and Lyft both require minimum liability coverage. Rideshare companies are not necessarily considered employers of the driver. This can limit exposure, however, both companies do carry liability insurance that could potentially cover your damages. When a driver has picked up a paying passenger, both Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in liability coverage to the passengers.
When the driver is actively seeking a fare, both Uber and Lyft may offer up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage. This coverage can be pursued by the rideshare driver as well as third parties injured by the driver. When the driver is not logged in to the rideshare app, they are not covered by Uber or Lyft. Therefore, if you—as a driver—are involved in an accident with an off-duty Uber or Lyft driver, you can only pursue compensation through the driver’s own insurance.
Contact a Plantation Rideshare Accident Attorney from The Law Offices of Nerina Smart, P.A.
To ensure that you are fully compensated for injuries and damages sustained during a rideshare accident, attorney Nerina Smart is ready to help. With highly personalized client attention, we pursue justice on behalf of every client. When you’ve suffered an injury in a Lyft or Uber accident it is imperative that your rights are properly protected.
Lyft and Uber are mega-corporations—meaning they have the resources to squash your claim if you are not properly represented. At The Law Offices of Nerina Smart, P.A., we are skilled negotiators who know how to handle big insurance companies. Nerina Smart is also an accomplished, determined litigation lawyer who will fight for you in court. Level the playing field by contacting The Law Offices of Nerina Smart, P.A., today.