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Vehicle occupants, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and bystanders can all find themselves victims of a rideshare accident. Millions of rideshare trips are taken every day with companies such as Uber and Lyft. For this reason, among others, rideshare accidents sometimes occur, resulting in serious injuries. After a rideshare accident it is important to identify potentially liable parties so that you put the right insurance companies on notice.
When you get into a motor vehicle, you rely on others on the road to follow traffic laws. When you take a rideshare, you must also depend on your driver’s judgment and safe driving skills. If another motorist or rideshare driver is negligent, passengers can suffer serious injuries in an accident.
Pedestrians can be seriously injured in rideshare accidents as well. Pedestrians can sustain particularly devastating injuries as they are not offered the protection of a motor vehicle. If a rideshare driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a person in a crosswalk, an accident can occur.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2017, 5,977 pedestrians were killed, and 137,000 were treated in emergency rooms for accident injuries in the U.S. Startlingly, the statistics show that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than occupants of passenger vehicles to be killed in a car accident. In addition, alcohol was involved in almost half of all accidents that resulted in a pedestrian fatality. Approximately one in every three deaths involved a pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08 grams per deciliter.
Non-rideshare motorists and their passengers can also be injured in a rideshare accident. In some instances, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers of passenger vehicles may be struck by a rideshare vehicle, thereby sustaining injuries.
Victims of rideshare accidents can suffer severe or even potentially fatal injuries. Examples of injuries include head trauma, neck- and back-related injuries (such as whiplash), spinal cord damage, broken bones, lacerations, and other injuries that result in paralysis.
Rideshare crash injuries can have a long-lasting effect on a person’s life, making it difficult for them to enjoy life the way they used to. Medical expenses, lost income, and other accident-related costs can also quickly add up. For many injury victims, filing a claim for compensation can help recoup these costs, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
If a driver is sidetracked by the rideshare smartphone app or is making quick stops on a street while trying to find a pick-up or drop-off location, that could increase the chances of an accident. Many rideshare drivers also use personal vehicles. If the vehicle is poorly maintained, a mechanical failure can increase the risk of injury.
Other motorists on the roadway – whether in a car, truck, or on a motorcycle – can also cause an accident with a rideshare vehicle. Some potential risks include speeding, distracted driving, alcohol impairment, disobeying traffic laws, or road rage.
Those who take rideshares may wonder how common these types of collisions really are. According to an Uber U.S. Safety Report, in 2017 and 2018, 97 fatal accidents resulted in 107 deaths. In addition, roughly 90% of these accidents occurred in urban areas.
Of the deaths mentioned in the safety report, 21% of the deaths were Uber drivers, 21% were Uber passengers, and the remaining percentage were third parties (such as pedestrians, occupants in other vehicles). Some of these fatalities occurred involved Uber drivers and riders who were hit while outside the rideshare vehicle.
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact William Mattar, P.C. to speak to a member of our legal team today. Rideshare accident cases can be complex. But, our rideshare accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge to help you achieve maximum compensation. Schedule a free initial consultation by filling out our contact form or giving us a call at (844) 444-4444. We’re standing by 24/7 to help.
William Mattar
Attorney at Law
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