Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized transportation in New Jersey, offering convenient alternatives to traditional taxis, public transit, carpooling, and other means of getting from point A to point B. However, the increased usage has led to a rise in rideshare-related accidents, with several common causes among these accidents being identifiable.
What Makes Rideshare Drivers More Prone to Accidents?
The nature of rideshare work requires drivers to multitask while operating their vehicles, as they face pressure to complete as many rides as possible to maximize earnings. This economic incentive, combined with the demands of the job, can create a perfect storm for potential accidents, as a lapse in judgment on the road can lead to a serious or fatal collision.
How Does Distracted Driving Contribute to Uber and Lyft Accidents?
Because Uber and Lyft drivers must constantly interact with their mobile applications to accept rides, navigate to pickup locations, and communicate with passengers, their phone usage can divert their attention away from the road at critical moments.
Drivers also often engage with passengers during rides, which can further divide their attention. Unfortunately, all these interactions—while arguably necessary for the job—can lead to dangerous lapses in focus.
Why Do Uber and Lyft Drivers Speed and Drive Recklessly?
Rideshare companies incentivize their contractors to reach passengers quickly and complete trips efficiently. Some drivers respond to this pressure by exceeding the road’s posted speed limits and taking unnecessary risks—a select few even engage in racing behavior, competing with other rideshare drivers to reach passengers first or attempting to complete as many rides as possible in a given timeframe.
How Does Driver Fatigue Impact Rideshare Safety?
Many Uber and Lyft drivers use these companies as a side job, which can result in shifts of 12 hours or more without adequate breaks. This combination of long hours and irregular schedules can impair a driver's reaction time and decision-making abilities, which makes them more likely to cause accidents.
What Role Does Driver Inexperience Play in Accidents?
Unlike traditional taxi services, Uber and Lyft do not require their drivers to undergo specialized training. College students and young drivers often turn to ridesharing as a flexible source of income. Still, their lack of experience can put passengers at risk and cause these rideshare operators to make mistakes that seasoned drivers would avoid.
Can Impaired Driving Occur Among Rideshare Drivers?
Unfortunately, despite stringent regulations to the contrary, some Uber and Lyft drivers turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with job stress and long hours. These habits, predictably, endanger passengers and other drivers on the road.
How Do Road Conditions and External Factors Contribute?
Traffic congestion in New Jersey, particularly on busy highways and at hazardous intersections, can lead to rear-end collisions and sideswipe accidents when drivers fail to maintain a safe following distance.
Poor road infrastructure, including potholes and inadequate signage, can also cause accidents for drivers unfamiliar with a given local area.
And, of course, rain, snow, or ice can cause accidents by robbing rideshare drivers of their control over their vehicles.
Get Legal Help From Our Edison Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.
If you experience an injury in a rideshare accident, contact our experienced Edison Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. to advocate for you. Call us at 732-906-1500 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Brick, Freehold, Edison, Toms River, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout the state, including Point Pleasant.
