Is Lyft Dangerous?

Ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft, offer riders a great alternative to taking taxi cabs or driving their own vehicles. They have reinvented transportation in many major cities across the United States. However, as these services continue to rise in popularity, so have ridesharing accidents. For example, since 2011, traffic deaths have increased by nearly three percent due to ridesharing services. These Uber and Lyft accidents have caused $10 billion in economic losses each year. This has everyone wondering, “Is Lyft Dangerous?”

How Can You Determine if Lyft Is Dangerous?

To determine if Lyft is dangerous, researchers from the University of Chicago and Rice University examined NHTSA data and statistics. They reviewed accident rates and compared them to when Uber or Lyft launched in that city. For example, in San Francisco, the accident rates shot up after Uber launched in 2010. This same trend occurred in numerous other cities where Uber and Lyft launched.

The reason for this increase is that many rideshare drivers engage in a practice known as “deadheading.” This is when drivers drive around searching for passengers. Drivers spend an average of 40 to 60 percent of their time searching for fares. This adds more congestion to already crowded roads in major cities. The more cars on the road, the more accidents increase. These accidents affect Lyft drivers and passengers. They also affect pedestrians, cyclists, and bystanders.

While having more cars on the road has led to an increase in traffic fatalities, the number of drunk drivers on the road has decreased. Instead of driving drunk, more people are choosing to take an Uber or Lyft home. This has made the streets safer in some aspects. However, safety experts suggest that a “substitution effect” is at play. Instead of drunk driving fatalities, we now have ridesharing fatalities filling in the void.

What to Do if You Are Injured in a Lyft Accident

If you are injured in a Lyft accident, then you should take the following steps to protect yourself.

Step One: Seek Medical Help

If you suffer an injury in a Lyft accident, then it is important to seek medical help immediately. Your health is the primary concern after an accident. A doctor can examine you and help you avoid major complications.

Step Two: Call the Police

While you wait for emergency medical teams to arrive, call the police and report the accident. Reporting the crash will help you when establishing liability. Otherwise, it is just your word versus the Lyft driver’s word.

Step Three: Call an Attorney

Next, you should call an experienced Lyft accident attorney. Ridesharing accidents are serious and require an experienced law firm to help navigate these unfamiliar waters. Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and file claims under Lyft or Uber’s umbrella policy if applicable.

Contact a San Jose Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Near You

If you suffered an injury in an Uber or Lyft accident, then you need an experienced San Jose Uber and Lyft accident lawyer on your side. You have a right to file a claim to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Unfortunately, filing a claim after a ridesharing accident is complex. That is why you need a lawyer on your side from the start. At the Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia, we know how to help ridesharing accident survivors. Call us today at (408) 650-8955 or fill out our confidential contact form for more information. With an office conveniently located in San Jose, California, we are here when you need us most.