Concerns Mount Over Recalled Uber and Lyft Vehicles

Our auto defect lawyers have tried to shine the light on the fact that there are millions of recalled vehicles on our streets that need to be repaired. But, what we often don’t think about are rideshare vehicles such as Uber and Lyft, which may have been involved in safety recalls, but not quite repaired. Recent statistics show that only about a quarter of cars that need repairs for safety recalls actually get fixed. That means your odds of getting into an Uber or Lyft vehicle that needs repairs are quite high.

Dangerous Rideshare Vehicles

Uber officials say drivers are required to follow strict guidelines and that they tell drivers to stay up to date on recall information. But there’s no real follow-up there. Unless the driver purchased the vehicle he or she would not really know if the vehicle has been recalled. This could mean that a defective Takata airbag or a bad General Motors ignition switch could be in the car in which you are riding. These are serious safety defects. For example, the Takata airbag inflators were recalled because they could spray metal shrapnel into the vehicle compartment when they deploy. These defective airbags have killed 11 and injured dozens more in the U.S.

Recall Masters is a website that helps fleet owners stay abreast of mandated repairs. The same company also runs motorsafety.org, which allows consumers, through an app or the Web, to see if a car has been recalled by scanning the vehicle identification number or VIN. But a majority of consumers don’t seem concerned. It’s really up to Uber and Lyft drivers to maintain their vehicles. Safety advocates and makers of apps and websites that help consumers scan for recalled vehicles worry that it might take a really big accident – probably a fatal one – in order for recalled rideshare vehicles to get attention.

If You Have Been Injured

If you or a loved one has been injured while riding an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it is important that you write down all information about the vehicle in which you were riding including the make, model and VIN. If the vehicle was recalled but not repaired, you may be able to file a claim against the automaker and the driver as well the rideshare company to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Currently, there are open recalls for a variety of vehicle safety defects from defective airbags and ignition switches to seatbelts and seatbacks. Contact an experienced auto defect lawyer if you believe that your injuries were caused by a defective, recalled vehicle that wasn’t repaired.