Data Shows Increase In Rideshare Collisions In California
Data Shows Increase In Rideshare Collisions In California
Analysis of data gathered by California regulators about rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft is showing an increase in collisions and incidents over the last few years.
According to a report on KQED.org, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) analyzed data provided by rideshare companies.
The data basically shows significant growth of transportation network or rideshare companies in California amounting to a total of 612.6 million miles driven over the two year period from September 2013 to September 2015, generating about $1.6 billion in fares over that time period.
What the Data Shows
The report combines information submitted by UberX, Lyft, Sidecar, Summon, Wings and Shuddle. The data also shows collisions and incidents involving rideshare drivers are climbing.
Most of the incidents were fender benders or rear-end collisions. More than 300 of these incidents involved passengers opening doors into traffic. Ninety collisions were these “dooring” incidents involving bikes, skateboards, motorcycles and scooters.
The report counted 200 incidents where a bicyclist or pedestrian was struck. Rideshare drivers also “rolled over” passengers’ feet 100 times.
Safety advocates are encouraging that training is critical for rideshare drivers especially in “hot zones” such as San Francisco where collisions involving rideshare vehicles are more frequent.
In 2013, an Uber driver was charged with vehicular manslaughter for hitting and killing 6-year-old Sofia Lu as she and her family were walking in a crosswalk on San Francisco’s Polk Street. Uber settled a lawsuit in July with the Liu family.
If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a car accident involving a rideshare vehicle such as Uber, Lyft or Sidecar, there are steps you can take to ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected:
- Get names and contact information for all witnesses to the accident.
- Take photographs of the accident scene. If you have a camera or camera phone, take as many photos as you can before you leave the scene.
- Call the police and file a report. Make sure you obtain a copy for your records.
- Get the rideshare driver’s name, contact information, vehicle license plate number and insurance information. Get similar information for other parties involved in the collision.
- Make sure you get prompt medical attention and treatment.
Contact an experienced California car accident attorney who will work diligently to ensure that you are fairly and fully compensated for your injuries, damages and losses.
