AUSTIN, Texas – Aug. 29, 2019 — Since the founding of Uber in 2009 and the creation of similar companies in the years since, ridesharing services have taken the world by storm. Allowing users to quickly and easily hail a ride anytime and nearly anywhere, it is a convenient, reliable, and often budget-friendly method of transportation for many people.
However, for many others, there are risks and complications associated with the use of ridesharing services. Motor vehicle accidents involving ridesharing drivers can be difficult to resolve due to the multiple parties and complicated insurance policies involved. Furthermore, although different laws exist in each state about vetting drivers, there is still the potential for crimes to be committed by the ridesharing drivers themselves.
In an effort to better understand both the benefits and risks of ridesharing, we took a look into what is commonly known as the “Ridesharing Revolution” in the United States.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON RIDESHARING ACCIDENTS?
Collisions with other motor vehicles on the road are the most common type of accidents involving ridesharing drivers. These collisions can occur for a variety of reasons:
- A driver is distracted while following their map instructions to pick up or drop off a passenger
- A driver is driving erratically or unpredictably when attempting to locate their passenger for pick up
- Failure to obey or notice traffic signals, road signs, and other rules of the road due to distractions while transporting their passenger
- Fatigued drivers who have been working long hours have a higher likelihood of causing an accident
- Failure to maintain vehicle safety standards and meet routine inspections
Vehicle-on-vehicle collisions are not the only hazards that accompany ridesharing. Pedestrians are also at risk of being injured by distracted or erratic rideshare drivers. Furthermore, there have been accounts of violence and sexual assault against passengers by their drivers, as well as instances of people impersonating ridesharing drivers to pick up passengers.
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