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In the United States, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft elevated the customer experience and gave consumers access to low-cost taxi services. While driving for these companies can be a great source of money in your free time, they’re also responsible for more car accidents.
5 Concerning Rideshare Accident Statistics in the US
It’s no doubt that rideshare is more convenient, inexpensive, and user-friendly than taxis, but that doesn’t translate to it being safer.
Here are 5 concerning rideshare accident stats
1. Car Accidents Have Increased Since the Emergence of Rideshare
You’d think that more taxis or rideshare vehicles on the road would lead to fewer accidents, as it minimizes the number of drunk, drowsy, or distracted drivers. In reality, passengers are consulting a rideshare accident lawyer more often because of the high increase in crashes.
In the most comprehensive rideshare traffic study to date, the University of Chicago found that the number of accidents per 100,00 people nearly doubled from 2 to 3.5 since 2010. This is likely because more people are on the road, leading to an increase in risky driving behaviors.
2. The Number of Fatalities Increased Since the Emergence of Rideshare
That same University of Chicago study also concluded that accident-related fatalities increased by 3% annually since 2010. This number includes pedestrians. Since 2010, 987 people, on average, have been killed due to a collision with a vehicle that was driving a customer.
Since rideshare drivers aren’t trained, there’s no guarantee that the person behind the wheel is a great driver. Rideshare companies have admitted that they don’t vet their drivers, which can pose a massive risk to the people inside the vehicle as well as other drivers on the road.
3. Rideshare Accidents Include Sexual and Violent Assaults on Passengers
No one wants to believe that a rideshare driver would sexually or violently assault them after entering the vehicle, but it happens. According to Uber’s 2020 safety report, 1500 Uber users experienced non-consensual touching of a sexual body part, and 247 users were raped.
In the previous year’s Uber safety report, there were 19 physical assaults. Granted, 7 of them were crimes against drivers, but 8 of them were on riders, while the last 4 were on third parties, like pedestrians. Women were 9 times more likely to be violently assaulted than men.
4. It’s Incredibly Dangerous to Get in and Out of a Rideshare Vehicle
Pedestrians often get hurt due to a collision with a rideshare vehicle, but not always in the way you’d think. The Uber safety report stated that of the 107 total accident fatalities, 30% were pedestrians, and many of them were drivers previously but were later hit by rideshare drivers.
In fact, up to 25% of pedestrian fatalities are due to a rideshare driver not paying attention when they start driving or backing up out of a parking spot. If you choose to get in a rideshare vehicle, keep your eye on the driver at all times. Use common sense and don’t idle near the vehicle.
5. The Most Common Cause of Rideshare Accidents is Distracted Driving
Being distracted while driving is one of the most dangerous things you could ever do, yet many drivers refuse to keep their eyes on the road. With that said, it’s likely that rideshare drivers are becoming distracted because they’re overworked, as most drivers have more than one job.
Driving fatigue, drunk driving, traffic violations, speeding, and hazardous driving in bad weather are other reasons why rideshare drivers get into accidents. If you notice your driver isn’t paying attention, be sure to say something. If they don’t correct their behavior, report them right away.
This article was provided by José Luis Martín Cara
