Typical Causes of Rideshare Accidents and Legal Recourse for Injured Passengers
When you get into a rideshare, you put your safety and life in the hands of a stranger.
Luckily, most of the time, you arrive at your destination safely. But there is always the probability of an accident.
This guide will detail common causes of rideshare accidents and what to do following one.
You should contact a rideshare accident law firm once you receive medical attention and speak with the police. Keep reading to find detailed steps to follow.
Table of Contents
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Below are the most common causes of rideshare accidents.
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Distractions
Distracted driving is likely the most common cause of rideshare accidents. Rideshare drivers may be distracted by their phone, their passenger, or something external, resulting in an accident that can cause injury or fatality.
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Illegal Turns
The more rides a driver can complete, the more they can make in a short time. Sometimes, this means they make risky and illegal turns, like an illegal U-turn or left, putting their passenger at risk and causing an accident.
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Sudden Stops
Rideshare accidents can occur because the driver stops suddenly to pick up or drop off a passenger, causing a vehicle behind them to rear-end the rideshare. Sudden stops can also result in collisions causing head or chest trauma to passengers and drivers.
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Driving Under the Influence
Luckily, this cause isn’t super common, but it happens. Some rideshare drivers will operate their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to impaired driving that causes accidents.
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Speeding
As mentioned earlier, the more rides a driver can complete, the more money they make. For this reason, they may drive recklessly, speeding and making risky moves, which are a recipe for collisions.
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Driver Inexperience
Driver inexperience often leads to rideshare accidents. The driver may be inexperienced with driving in general, the local laws, or the area, resulting in distracted driving and sudden stops that lead to accidents.
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Drowsy Driving
People who drive rideshares for a living may work insanely long hours to make money. If a rideshare driver has been driving all day or night, they become drowsy and tired, which is a form of impaired driving.
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Failure to Obey Signs/Signals
Rideshare drivers who speed through yellow lights, ignore turn signals, ignore stop signs, or generally do not adhere to the traffic signs and signals are likely to cause a collision, potentially injuring themselves, their passengers, or a third party.
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Violence
This cause of rideshare accidents is not very common but can happen. Sometimes, drivers and passengers argue about the route, the cost, or the music playing. One may become violent, either the driver or passenger, resulting in an accident.
What to Do if You’ve Been in a Rideshare Accident
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, follow the steps below.
- Check for injuries to yourself and others involved, and seek medical attention if necessary.
- Contact the police as soon as possible and have an accident report filed. Make sure you get a copy.
- Hire a rideshare accident lawyer who can help you understand your rights and potential compensation.
- Gather potential evidence to build your case. Evidence may include the police report, witness statements, rideshare app history, photographs, traffic footage, and anything else that could help support your claim.
- Report the accident to the rideshare company. Your lawyer can help you do this, but you need to contact the rideshare company before filing the lawsuit.
- File a lawsuit and seek compensation for injuries, pain, suffering, or other damages caused by the accident. You may receive a settlement after negotiations. Otherwise, you must take the suit to court for a verdict.
Rideshare Accident Lawsuits
You might be eligible for compensation if you were in a rideshare accident. You trusted the driver and the rideshare company to keep you safe, and they failed. Don’t hesitate to seek compensation for your injuries, pain, suffering, and other damages.
