Study: Are Ridesharing Companies Causing Increase in Accident Fatalities?

A recent study has found that ridesharing services are responsible for an increase in fatal crashes. According to the study, an increase of approximately 3 percent in car accident fatalities is associated with ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Chicago and Rice University. Data from the federal government revealed that the year prior to the ridesharing popularity explosion, the total number of victims killed in car crashes were the lowest they had been since 1949. In 2010, there were just under 33,000 people killed in vehicle accidents.

How the Study Was Conducted

Using statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the study team compared the number of fatal car crashes with the dates when ridesharing companies became available in specific areas. They then examined the collision rates in those cities per vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

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When the researchers looked at the data from major cities, the found that there was an increase in vehicle accident deaths following the launch of ridesharing companies. For example, in San Francisco, the VMT spiked in 2010, the same year ridesharing companies became popular in that city. In New York, the study also showed an increase in fatal accidents when Uber and Lyft became popular.

Not everyone is convinced that the study’s findings are accurate, including the ridesharing companies. Critics say that the researchers did not consider the correlation between increased driving, lower gas prices, and how these factors affected crash rates.

Have You Been Injured in a Ridesharing Crash?

Ridesharing accident claims are different than other vehicle accident claims. Who the claim is filed against depends on who was at fault for the crash and what the ridesharing driver’s app status was when the accident occurs:

• If a ridesharing driver was responsible for the crash, had no passengers in the vehicle, and did not have their driver app on and was not available, then claims can only be filed against his or her insurance policy.
• If a ridesharing driver was responsible for a motor vehicle accident, had no passengers in the vehicle, but they were logged into the driver app and available, then claims can only be filed against both the ridesharing corporate insurance and the driver’s insurance.
• If a ridesharing driver was responsible for a motor vehicle accident, had passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash, then the ridesharing corporate insurance is responsible for covering the damages for all claims filed in the accident.

Contact Shapiro & Appleton if you have been injured in a crash to find out what legal recourse you may have. Call 800-752-0042 to set up a free and confidential consultation with one of our Virginia ridesharing accident attorneys and find out how we can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.