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Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have revolutionized the transportation industry, making it easier and more affordable than ever before for people all over the country to pay for a ride to their destination. However, the revolution of an industry that was already accident-prone has created a whole new category of accidents as well, and Uber and Lyft accidents have now become all too common.
Below, we’ll take a look at what you need to know regarding Uber accidents in Texas and Lyft accidents in Texas.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
The drivers who are behind the wheel of Uber and Lyft vehicles are human beings just like any other driver on the road and are therefore prone to all the same factors which cause other drivers to crash. However, there are a few factors that could make an Uber or a Lyft driver even more likely to cause an accident than your typical driver.
For one, Uber and Lyft drivers must pay close attention to their GPS in order to ensure that they are to find their passengers and then deliver those passengers to the correct location. Of course, taking your eyes off the road for even a second to look down at a GPS could cause a serious accident.
Another common source of distraction for Uber and Lyft drivers is the passengers that they are carrying. One of the benefits of driving for a rideshare company is that you get to meet and converse with all kinds of people. Sometimes, though, Uber and Lyft drivers get so caught up in conversations with their passengers that it pulls their attention away from the road in front of them.
Lastly, many Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours, and when you’ve been in your vehicle for an entire workday you’re simply more likely to fall asleep, or otherwise make a serious mistake than you would have if you had only been driving for a short period of time.
However, it should also be noted that both Uber and Lyft take careful measures to ensure that their drivers are as safe as possible. These measures include monitoring the speed of the driver’s vehicle, disqualifying drivers who surpass a certain threshold of traffic citations, and allowing customers to rate the driving of their driver through the app.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases Involving Uber and Lyft Accidents
In the few short years since Uber and Lyft have been in operation, there has already been a large number of personal injury and wrongful death cases involving accidents caused by Uber and Lyft drivers – some of which have captured nationwide attention.
Perhaps the most famous wrongful death case involving Uber and Lyft involved a vehicle that wasn’t under the operation of a driver at all. In March of 2018, Elaine Herzberg was struck and killed by an Uber self-driving car in Tempe, Arizona when she attempted to cross the road. The vehicle was being overseen by a “safety driver” who was in charge of taking control of the vehicle in the event of an emergency, but a dashcam video showed that she was looking away from the road when the accident took place. Uber went on to settle out of court with Herzberg’s family for an undisclosed amount, and the company has since discontinued the testing of its self-driving cars.
Of course, there have been plenty of other cases involving injuries caused by Uber and Lyft drivers, though the exact settlement amounts on these cases are often difficult to find since Uber, Lyft, and the insurers that they work with keep these figures confidential.
Receiving Compensation for a Rideshare Accident
Personal injury and wrongful death cases involving Uber and Lyft accidents are in many ways similar to any other case involving an automotive accident that leads to injury or death. The difference is that both Uber and Lyft work with insurance companies that provide large insurance policies to cover lawsuits that are filed against them.
If you are a passenger that was involved in an accident while being driven in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, your personal auto insurance policy will most likely not cover any injury claims since these policies are not designed to provide coverage for injuries that occur in a vehicle that is being used for a commercial application. However, the insurance policies carried by Uber and Lyft are designed for this exact scenario and will likely cover any injuries that you sustain. The same holds true if an Uber or Lyft driver injures a pedestrian or someone in another vehicle during an accident.
Nevertheless, if you are injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, it is essential that you contact an attorney who is experienced, and has the resources to handle these type of cases. While similar, these cases are more nuanced than a typical automotive accident case, and you will want to work with someone who is knowledgeable about all of these nuances.
Conclusion
Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are doing a lot of good. In fact, many experts conclude that Uber and Lyft have helped lead to a decrease in DUIs thanks to the fact that they provide people with convenient and affordable access to transportation at all times, and rideshare companies certainly play an incredibly important role in helping people all over the country get to and from their destination. However, there are still a few concerns that people who use these services need to be aware of.
If you or any of your loved ones is or have been involved in an accident involving Uber or Lyft, you can contact GOM law in Mcallen Tx, to help you to learn more about your rights. We’re happy to provide a free evaluation of your case and will fight to help you receive the compensation that you deserve.