How Common Are Rideshare Accidents in Louisiana?

Rideshares have become much more popular in recent years, and this means more rideshare vehicles are involved in accidents. Individuals driving or getting a ride with rideshares may wonder, “How common are rideshare accidents in Louisiana?” Generally, they are about as likely as any car accident. However, there may be certain factors that increase the risk of a crash.

How Often Do Rideshare Vehicles Get Into Accidents?

Rideshare vehicles have the potential to be in an accident like any vehicle on the road. While all drivers do what they can to remain safe and drive defensively, there are some situations where accidents cannot be prevented.

One study reported that one in three rideshare drivers has been in an accident while driving. This may not always include accidents with other vehicles, or when they have a passenger.

Uber and Lyft also provide safety reports about the number of accident reports they receive from drivers and passengers. From 2021 to 2022, Uber reported 153 motor vehicle accident fatalities. From 2020 to 2022, Lyft reported 111 motor vehicle accident fatalities. Both safety reports also state that between 98% and 99.99% of all rideshare trips are completed without any safety reports submitted.

It can help to understand the frequent causes of these accidents and how you can recover compensation if you are involved in a rideshare accident.

What Causes Rideshare Collisions in Louisiana?

If you are in an accident with a rideshare vehicle or while you are a rideshare passenger, it is important to understand the common causes of these crashes. The underlying cause of the crash is important to determining the liable party and, therefore, helping you financially recover after an accident. Some common causes of these collisions include:

• Distracted driving. Any driver can be distracted on the road, but it is especially likely for rideshare drivers. These drivers likely have to deal with GPS directions, notifications from the rideshare app, other phone alerts, and their passengers. It can be incredibly distracting. For both rideshare drivers and other drivers, taking focus or eyes off the road can lead to an accident.
• Dangerous road conditions. Poor weather and road conditions can lead to an accident. This includes significant congestion, which is common on I-10 or I-12. Additionally, many rideshare drivers are operating their vehicles on unfamiliar roads and may be more likely to make dangerous errors as a result.
• Fatigue. Driving while exhausted can impact a driver’s ability to react in time and make rational decisions. Unfortunately, many rideshare drivers work when they are tired. There are limits to prevent this, but this doesn’t always prevent fatigued drivers.
• Vehicle breakdowns. There are safety precautions meant to ensure vehicles used as rideshare vehicles are safe and maintained. However, these vehicles still see a lot of wear, and a malfunction or breakdown can lead to a crash. Other vehicles on the road can also malfunction.
• Speeding. Rideshare drivers are often in a rush to get to a location for a ride request, and this can lead to speeding.

Can I File Against a Rideshare Company for a Rideshare Accident?

There are specific cases where a rideshare company’s insurance will cover the damages of those injured in an accident. This may include:

1. If you are a rideshare driver and were working when you were in a collision
2. If you were in a rideshare vehicle as a passenger
3. If you were a driver or passenger in a non-rideshare vehicle and were in an accident with a rideshare driver who was logged into the app and was to blame for the accident

Different rideshare companies may have different policies, so it’s important to understand the specifics of your accident. The insurance coverage also depends on whether the rideshare driver had a passenger or was going to pick one up, or was simply waiting for a ride request. When you hire a rideshare accident lawyer in Louisiana, they can help determine how you can recover compensation.