Rideshare services can theoretically make the roads safer. Rideshare drivers can transport people who are sick or under the influence to their destination safely. They are usually familiar with the areas where they drive, making distraction caused by navigation software or attempts to monitor their surroundings less likely. Their many hours on the road can also increase their skill in handling challenging traffic situations.

Most rideshare trips are uneventful. However, some of them result in collisions that have significant consequences for the passengers who requested the trip. The nature of rideshare services does contribute to the risk of a crash in some situations.

What factors frequently contribute to the likelihood of a rideshare collision?

1. Aggressive driving

Rideshare passengers often want to reach their destination as quickly as possible and may tip based on their expectations. Rideshare drivers want to complete as many trips as they can to optimize their earning potential. Rideshare drivers may exceed the speed limit or swerve in and out of traffic as they attempt to get their passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible. Aggressive maneuvers in traffic can significantly increase the likelihood of a preventable collision.

2. Unsafe parking

Rideshare drivers frequently bypass the need to parallel park or completely pull off the road. Instead, they may turn on their emergency flashing lights while loading or unloading their passengers on busy streets. The possibility of an inattentive driver striking the stopped rideshare vehicle is a safety concern. In such cases, the rideshare driver may have to provide rideshare insurance, as the crash may have occurred before they started the trip or after they ended the trip on the app.

3. Driver fatigue

Many rideshare drivers have full-time jobs. Others choose to drive specifically at times when demand is particularly high, including late at night on the weekends. Those decisions may mean that a rideshare motorist feels quite exhausted while on the road. They could then potentially fall asleep at the wheel or experience diminished driving capabilities that lead to a preventable collision.

Rideshare passengers hurt in collisions may need help evaluating their options and pursuing compensation, and that’s okay. Identifying who is at fault and who is potentially liable can help people injured in rideshare collisions hold the right party accountable.