We expect Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers to abide by the laws and drive safely. This reasonable expectation is not always met. Unfortunately as the volume of rideshare passengers and drivers increase the number of rideshare accidents will also rise.
Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Uber, Lyft and other Rideshare service drivers work under significant demands to maximize their profitability and do not always use the safest driving methods to increase their income. Weaving through traffic, speeding, and reckless driving may occur to get customers delivered on time and making the driver available for the next fare. Surge pricing or premium fares during peak times contribute to this behavior.
Rideshare drivers only have a short period of time to accept a new fare before the potential passenger is claimed by another network driver. Uber and Lyft drivers stay active on their mobile devices so they don’t miss an opportunity. These distractions can lead to numerous types of car accidents and missed traffic signals which are in place to keep everyone safe. Tennessee seat belt laws don’t make it mandatory for backseat passengers to buckle up increasing the likelihood of serious passenger personal injuries.
Driving for more excessive lengths of time creates driver fatigue and slower response times to changing traffic conditions. Uber and Lyft don’t give their employees set schedules. The drivers determine how much or little they are active on the transportation network. When higher paychecks are the incentives some drivers will ignore commonsense safety rules. Drowsy driving is a leading cause of all Tennessee car accidents.
Driver sobriety is expected by passengers, but unfortunately sobriety cannot be guaranteed. Uber and Lyft drivers have been arrested under DUI charges on the job, and frequency seems to only increase as more people seek ways to increase their personal income. Generally, Uber and Lyft drivers are not professionals therefore are lacking extensive training further increasing collision rates.
Novice and seasoned rideshare drivers may be easily distracted by passengers in many ways. Questions about landmarks or general location confusion by the rideshare passenger are common for tourists. Uber and Lyft are well know as an alternative to drinking and driving. By this consequence a certain unknown percentage of rideshare passengers are intoxicated therefore may cause driver distractions by their inebriated actions.
Rideshare transportation networks are relatively new. Tennessee took significant steps in crafting laws to clarify the reality of our rideshare insurance problems, but this is only the safety net to insure injuries parties have adequate resources to receive compensation for their damages. If you or a loved one were involved in a rideshare accident call Personal Injury Attorney George Angelopoulos for a free consultation today.
