4 Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

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Walner Law®

September 21, 2020

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Over the years, rideshare vehicles have grown in popularity. Countless drivers rely on companies like Uber and Lyft to make additional income or even as their way of life. Unfortunately, there are numerous dangers associated with rideshare vehicles that can cause significant accidents and subsequent injuries to the many parties involved.

In any rideshare accident, determining the cause of the crash helps you recognize liability, so you know who to hold accountable. Unfortunately, there are numerous causes of rideshare accidents, many of which revolve around someone’s negligence. In the event the rideshare driver is the negligent party, it’s vital to recognize your options.

Here are four of the most common causes of rideshare accidents:

  • Drunk drivers
  • Distractions
  • Sudden stops and illegal U-turns
  • Fatigue

Unfortunately, these acts of negligence are far too common and it’s vital to recognize where responsibility lies in order to pursue compensation.

To learn more about the above and how they can cause significant harm, continue reading below.

Our team at Walner Law® is here to help you. Give us a call at (312) 313-2888 if you suffer an injury in a rideshare accident.

Drunk Drivers

While many people utilize rideshare companies when they’ve been out drinking, there still is a risk of a potential drunk driver, including other drivers on the road and the rideshare driver himself or herself. Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous actions on the road, and alcohol is one of the main causes of accidents.

Here are some of the possible scenarios involving drunk driving and rideshare accidents:

  • You are a driver in another vehicle and a drunk rideshare driver crashes into you, causing significant injuries.
  • You are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle and a drunk driver in another vehicle crashes into you, causing severe injuries.
  • You are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle and your rideshare driver is intoxicated when he or she crashes into another vehicle.

Drunk driving can also lead to accidents involving pedestrians. These are some of the worst types of accidents because pedestrians don’t have the same protection as those in vehicles. Rideshare drivers should never operate their vehicle while under the influence.

Distractions

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous situations for rideshare drivers because it’s almost part of their jobs. These drivers have to check their smartphones often to determine where their next passenger is and when they have another fare. The driver receives a notification and must manually accept or deny the fare. This is a visual and manual distraction.

Rideshare drivers are also scanning sidewalks and other areas to look for the passenger they need to pick up. This requires them to look away from the road, which can lead to a significant rear-end collision, pedestrian or bicycle accident, or other kinds of harm caused by the rideshare driver.

Distractions come in three forms: manual, visual, and cognitive. A rideshare driver does all three:

  • He or she looks away from the road to scan for passengers or to look at smartphone notifications
  • He or she takes at least one hand off the steering wheel to respond to a passenger notice
  • He or she focuses on finding more passengers rather than the task at hand of driving safely

Illegal U-Turns and Sudden Stops

Rideshare drivers are not always aware of the roads where they travel most, and they may not recognize where they can and cannot stop or turn around. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop them from making driving maneuvers that put others at risk. For instance, if a driver has to turn around quickly to get to his or her passenger, they may choose to do so at a spot where they shouldn’t, causing a potential crash.

If a driver spots his or her potential passenger, the driver may stop unexpectedly. While many rear-end accidents put the driver in the back at fault, this type of situation involving a driver braking for no reason could be blamed on the driver in the front. In this case, the rideshare driver may be at fault for any injury caused.

Fatigue and Drowsy Driving

Many of the rideshare drivers on the road make the most of their money at night when individuals are intoxicated and need help getting home. Because of this, there are many rideshare drivers who are also fatigued and tired, increasing the chances of drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving has some of the same cognitive and mental effects as drunk driving. If a rideshare driver is drowsy, he or she can run the risk of swerving lanes, speeding or slowing down, braking erratically, and more. A drowsy rideshare driver eliminates the purpose of someone reaching out to one of these companies when they’re unable to drive home because the same risks exist.

At Walner Law®, we’re aware that rideshare accidents occur. We know the causes and how to work with those who suffer injuries to determine liability. It’s our focus to help you pursue the justice and compensation you need to cover any and all damages you may experience as a result of negligence.

Our Chicago rideshare accident attorneys are ready to stand in your corner, holding accountable those individuals who cause you harm. We build a strong case strategy on your behalf focused on getting you the outcome you need and deserve. It’s vital to have strong counsel on your side every step of the way, so you can safeguard your rights at all times.

Call us today at (312) 313-2888. We offer free consultations to help you get the answers you need when you need them most.

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