Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
While rideshare drivers are subject to the same traffic laws as any other motorist, their unique operational pressures often lead to specific, dangerous forms of negligence. Beyond common traffic violations like speeding, failing to yield, or running red lights, Uber and Lyft accidents are frequently caused by hazards inherent to the rideshare industry:
- Digital Distraction: Drivers are tethered to their smartphones, forced to interact with the rideshare app, manage GPS navigation, and monitor new ride requests while the vehicle is in motion.
- Occupational Fatigue: Because many drivers treat ridesharing as a “second job” or work late-night shifts to capitalize on surge pricing, they are often operating under levels of exhaustion that mirror the impairment of drunk driving.
- In-Cabin Stress: Managing the demands of a stranger in the back seat—including navigating unfamiliar routes or handling unruly passengers—adds a unique layer of cognitive load that can divert a driver's attention during critical moments on the road.
Navigating the Complexities of Uber and Lyft Accidents
As with any motor vehicle accident, in rideshare accidents, the at-fault driver’s insurance is generally responsible for your damages. However, rideshare claims quickly become complex because they involve a clash between personal and commercial policies. While drivers use their own cars, personal insurance policies almost never cover commercial activity like transporting passengers for hire. To bridge this gap, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other states now have laws that mandate that rideshare companies provide insurance, but the available coverage depends upon the driver’s status at the time of the crash—specifically whether they were offline from the app, logged into the app but waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or mid-trip with a rider in the vehicle.
While navigating these insurance tiers is critical, securing full compensation often requires looking beyond the driver’s app status to the company’s internal practices. Driver error may be the immediate cause of a crash, but in some cases Uber or Lyft may also bear legal liability. Such instances include when the company ignored critical red flags, such as a dangerous driving history, or was aware of previous complaints but took no action. Our Philadelphia Uber and Lyft accident attorneys are highly experienced in identifying corporate failures and, when the circumstances warrant, will pursue direct claims against the rideshare company to maximize your recovery. Furthermore, our investigation extends beyond the rideshare platform and driver to identify potential claims involving other negligent motorists, roadway defects, or auto defects.
We are highly experienced in achieving substantial recoveries in rideshare accidents involving serious injuries and death. In a representative matter, we secured a confidential settlement for the parents of an unborn baby who sustained injuries that were not survivable post-birth when a rideshare driver committed multiple traffic violations and caused a collision. As a result of the accident, the mother, who was also injured in the crash, underwent a medical termination of her pregnancy.
