Seeing vehicles with Uber and Lyft tags has become as normal as seeing taxi cabs throughout Manhattan. However, with the commonality of rideshare vehicles also comes increased chances for a rideshare driver to cause a serious accident. As a result, a victim could be left wondering who is responsible for their injuries. If you or a family member was injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident, consult with an experienced Montco Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible.
The Reiff Law Firm can help you pursue an injury claim for injuries suffered at the hands of a negligent Uber or Lyft driver. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your injury, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940. You may also contact us using our online submission form.
5 Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Montgomery County, PA
Rideshare drivers for Uber and Lyft are plentiful across Montgomery County. Many people use these applications to commute to work, avoid driving while intoxicated, and for many other needs. While the convenience of rideshare applications is undeniable, rideshare drivers have not received proper training for their position, meaning they are just as capable of causing an accident as anyone else. The following is a list of common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents.
Driving While Fatigued
Both Uber and Lyft have implemented hour limits for drivers, similar to other transportation industries like truck drivers. Specifically, rideshare drivers for each company can only drive for up to 12 hours before they are required to take a 6-hour break. While these rules are created to prevent driver fatigue, they still allow a driver to operate a vehicle for possibly 80 hours a week. Under these circumstances, there is a risk that a driver could transport passengers while drowsy, endangering their lives and that of other motorists.
Alternatively, a person could use Uber or Lyft as an additional source of income. As a result, a driver could work a full 8-hour shift and then drive for many more hours. This could also cause a person to drive drowsy and make them more likely to cause a serious accident.
Speeding
To ensure that they can take as many fares as possible in a limited timeframe, some rideshare drivers may be inclined to exceed the speed limit. This could endanger the lives of passengers and other motorists. If your Uber or Lyft driver is excessively over the speed limit, it would be safer to end the ride and report their behavior.
Distracted Driving
In order to receive fares, Uber and Lyft drivers must accept rides using an application on their phone. As a result, this would require drivers to constantly look at their phones to accept a ride or make contact with a potential passenger. This could easily lead to a scenario where a rideshare driver could cause an accident because they decided to accept a fare while driving instead of parking to perform this task.
Inexperienced Driver
Uber and Lyft both offer customers data showing the driving record of an employee throughout their career as a rideshare driver. However, passengers are not provided with data showing any accidents possibly caused by a driver in the past. As a result, a passenger could enter a vehicle with a driver that may not be qualified to be a driver at their current skill level.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Every person that frequently uses Uber or Lyft has likely observed a rideshare driver operating a vehicle that appears to be poorly maintained. This will call into question whether the car is capable of safely transporting passengers. Tire blowouts, sudden jerks, or unexplained engine noises are all signs that a rideshare driver is not taking care of their vehicle. If you believe your driver is operating a defective vehicle, you should not risk your safety and ride with that driver.
There are many other causes of Uber and Lyft accidents not listed above. For example, a driver could be driving while intoxicated, which would not be apparent to a passenger that is sitting in the backseat. To learn more about receiving compensation for an Uber or Lyft accident, continue reading and contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Uber + Lyft Insurance Coverage for an Accident in Montgomery County, PA
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you could obtain compensation from the company responsible for the accident. Uber and Lyft offer varying levels of insurance coverage depending on the circumstances of an accident. For example, if a car accident occurs when a rideshare driver has not opened their application, Uber and Lyft will not offer insurance coverage for any injured victims or the driver.
However, there are other circumstances where a victim can recover compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident:
- An accident occurs when a rideshare driver has their application open but has not accepted a ride
- An accident occurs when a rideshare driver is in the process of picking up a passenger or transporting a passenger to their destination
Contact Our Experienced Montgomery County Uber + Lyft Accident Attorneys
If you were the victim of a car accident due to the negligent actions of a rideshare driver, contact an experienced accident attorney today. The injury attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm have a passion for pursuing compensation for their clients, and we are ready to work with you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
