Lyft and Uber Accidents (Facts & Statistics You Need to Know)

Over the past decade, rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber have experienced explosive growth. Unfortunately, with more and more drivers and vehicles out on the road operating for Lyft and Uber, that means more opportunities for accidents involving these rideshare vehicles and drivers. Data and reports about Lyft and Uber accidents highlight how prevalent these incidents are becoming. Continue reading for ridesharing facts you need to know.

Lyft & Uber Accident Statistics

According to Uber’s 2019 Safety Report, Uber vehicles in 2018 were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents at a rate of 0.57 per million vehicle miles traveled. This compares to the overall national rate of fatal motor vehicle accidents of 1.13 per million vehicle miles traveled. 

However, a 2018 study conducted by the University of Chicago and Rice University instead concluded that rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft were responsible for a two to three-percent increase in traffic fatalities across the U.S. since 2011. The researchers in the study reached their conclusions by looking at traffic fatality statistics, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in various cities by vehicle miles traveled, finding that rates significantly increased after Uber and Lyft launched service in various cities across the country. 

Injuries Involving Uber and Lyft Occur in More Than Just Motor Vehicle Accidents

While most people think of motor vehicle accidents when discussing Lyft and Uber accidents, Uber and Lyft vehicles and drivers are also involved in other kinds of accidents. 

Lyft and Uber drivers and vehicles may be the victim of property damage or assault from intoxicated, unruly, or violent passengers, including being targeted when a driver terminates a ride and ejects a passenger due to their behavior or for safety reasons, or when passengers target driver for violence based on racial or national origin animus. Drivers have also been victims of sexual assault perpetrated by passengers — Uber’s safety report noted that in the majority of driver-reported incidents of sexual assault, the driver was the victim of the assault.

Of course, drivers are equally capable of inflicting injury and harm upon passengers, including robbery, assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder. 

Read more: Can You Sue Uber If They Get Into An Accident?

Rideshare Insurance Requirements

In New Jersey, drivers for Lyft or Uber or other rideshare services are required to carry certain statutorily-mandated minimum levels of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage, depending on the specific circumstances at the time of an accident. This insurance coverage is typically furnished by the rideshare companies themselves.

Coverage requirements are broken down into two circumstances:

• The driver is logged into the rideshare mobile application and is awaiting a passenger ride request: Bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage of $25,000, and personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for the driver.
• The driver has accepted a ride request or has a paying passenger in the vehicle: $1.5 million in combined bodily injury/property damage coverage, and $1.5 million of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for driver and passengers.

If a driver is not logged into the rideshare application, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage does not apply. 

Read more: Filing a Claim Against Lyft

Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Lyft/Uber Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a Lyft or Uber accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of a Lyft or Uber accident in Perth Amboy, Roselle, Paterson, Jersey City, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, Trenton.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.