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Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft report extremely low crash numbers. Uber says that 99.9 percent of Uber rides are completed without safety problems. Lyft similarly claims that safety incidents occur in only 0.0002 percent of Lyft rides. However, a 2024 study from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) paints a different picture.
According to the UIC study, roughly one-third of rideshare drivers who responded to a survey said they had been in a crash while working. The UIC study was relatively small, but the differences between these data still raise significant questions. UIC’s data comes from drivers directly, while Uber and Lyft report their own data. The disparities could exist due to these companies not including all types of crashes in their data or using different definitions for what counts as a “safety incident.”
The UIC study found that common causes of rideshare crashes include cellphone use, fatigue, and driving on unfamiliar roads. Riders can also create dangerous distractions for drivers, especially if they are unruly or drunk. A recent MIT study also suggests that ridesharing has made traffic worse in many cities, and more cars on the road means more chances for crashes.
Why Rideshare Drivers Crash
Rideshare drivers face a lot of pressure on the road. They typically must check their phones often for directions, new ride requests, or messages from passengers. At the same time, they might be driving through parts of the city they don’t know well, with unfamiliar landmarks and street configurations vying for their attention. These distractions increase the chance of a crash.
Many rideshare drivers also work long hours. Some drive as a second job and only get behind the wheel after finishing full shifts at their other jobs. Others drive for longer than they should to make up for the relatively low hourly pay. Long days and late nights make it hard to stay alert and safe behind the wheel.
Additionally, unlike taxi drivers and truckers, rideshare drivers don’t go through any special training for their jobs. They are regular people using their own cars to earn money. And since rideshare drivers aren’t using company vehicles, their cars undergo more wear and tear. If a driver can’t afford regular maintenance or misses a needed repair, the car might not handle properly and could be more likely to crash.
Finally, rideshare drivers don’t have the support that employees get. Uber and Lyft treat them as independent contractors. That means these drivers have no supervisors, no benefits, and no backup when their jobs become too stressful to handle.
All of these factors—distractions, fatigue, lack of training, vehicle wear and tear, and limited support—make rideshare drivers just as or even more likely to crash as anyone else.
Tips for Staying Safe on NYC Roads
Staying safe on New York City roads takes more than just following traffic laws. You can avoid crashes and stay safe on NYC roads by:
- Following speed limits, even when traffic is light
- Slowing down when roads are wet or icy
- Always wearing your seatbelt and encouraging your passengers to do the same
- Keeping your phone away and your eyes on the road if you drive in the city
- Using extra caution when driving at night or during weekend hours
- Watching for pedestrians and cyclists at crosswalks
- Staying alert near hotels, airports, and train stations where rideshare activity is high
- Expecting rideshare drivers to make last-minute turns or lane changes
- Leaving extra space between your car and the one in front of you.
- Looking both ways before turning, even at green lights
- Getting enough rest before long drives
- Planning your route ahead of time to avoid last-minute changes
Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If a rideshare crash hurt you or someone close to you in New York, contact Michael LoGiudice, LLP, to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.