How Safe is Ridesharing With Uber?

Posted on 07/11/23

in Rideshare Safety, Uber Accidents

Uber and other rideshare vehicles are good ways to travel to a destination within your community or to new, unfamiliar places when you’re enjoying a vacation far away from home. Uber rides are faster and offer more privacy and comfort compared to public transportation. But how safe are Uber rides? According to research, overall numbers of traffic accidents with fatalities have increased by 3% since rideshare services like Uber and Lyft became popular methods of transportation.

While the vast majority of rideshare trips end with the passenger safely delivered to their destination, there are some safety facts associated with rideshare vehicles that help potential passengers make an informed choice when they choose the Uber option.

Take Advantage of Uber’s Safety Toolkit

Uber has integrated several safety features directly into the app for passengers to use as a precaution and in the event of an emergency. This safety toolkit includes the following:

  • GPS tracking that follows the progress of the rideshare journey
  • An emergency button that sends a request for help to the authorities along with the passenger’s GPS location 
  • The “Follow My Ride” feature allows a passenger to share information about their trip, including the pick-up location, drop-off destination, and the progress of the journey to a trusted contact

These safety tools can improve personal safety during the rideshare journey. Passengers should always choose the backseat of the Uber vehicle, fasten their seatbelts, and avoid distracting the driver with conversation in order to minimize their risk of injuries in an Uber accident.

Uber Accident Facts

Ridesharing is a booming industry, taking in 11 billion dollars since 2010. Uber now averages about 45 rides per second in the United States alone. The number of Uber accidents was lowest in 2010 when the service began but has climbed steadily along with the rideshare industry boom. Uber accident facts to consider include:

  • Uber and Lyft currently average about 100 accident fatalities per year
  • 21% of Uber accident fatalities are rideshare driver deaths
  • 58% of deaths were third-party passengers and other drivers
  • 21% of Uber-accident fatalities occurred to motorcyclists injured in collisions with rideshare vehicles
  • 90% of Uber accidents happen in urban areas
  • The rise in traffic congestion linked to Uber and Lyft vehicles has increased overall traffic accidents by about 1,000 accidents per day
  • The number of collisions at drop-off and pickup locations is on the rise
  • The 3% rise in traffic fatalities per year associated with rideshare vehicles amounts to nearly 1,000 deaths per year

What Happens if I’m in an Uber Accident?

Uber drivers have a ride-check feature included in their app that detects a crash and automatically notifies both Uber and the local authorities in the area of the crash. If the tool detects a suspected crash, it prompts both driver and passenger to use the app’s safety tool kit to report the crash and request emergency services.

If you’re in an accident either as an Uber passenger or in your own vehicle in a collision with an Uber car, the driver’s special insurance provides coverage for your property damage and injuries. The coverage works on a structured system that depends on the stage of the rideshare during the crash including:

  • $25,000 in property damage and personal injury coverage per person or $50,000 per accident when an accident occurs while the driver’s app is engaged and they’re waiting for a booking
  • Up to $1 million in property damage and personal injury coverage if an accident occurs while the driver is on their way to pick up a booked passenger and throughout the rideshare journey until drop-off
  • The driver’s personal car insurance policy is in place when the app is turned off and they are using their vehicle for personal reasons

Because of the tiered structure of rideshare insurance, it often takes an experienced Uber accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale to to prove liability and determine insurance coverage after an Uber accident.