Editor’s Note: This blog was previously published in January 2019 and has been updated for accuracy – January 2025.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed the way we travel, offering convenience and accessibility like never before. However, this surge in popularity has also led to a rise in car accidents and fatalities. So, what’s behind this increase in incidents on the road?
The Rise of Rideshare Services
Uber set out to change the way people travel in 2009, and by 2012, it was joined by its biggest rival, Lyft. Both companies have shifted the travel habits of Americans and people across the globe. Where it was once uncommon for average people outside of cities like New York to use car services like taxis, it is now normal for people to use Uber or Lyft to get around.
More Americans Are Relying on Ridesharing
A Pew Research Center poll found that in 2015, only 15 percent of Americans had used Uber or Lyft. At the time, 33 percent of those polled had no idea what Uber or Lyft even were. Fast forward to today, and Pew Research’s latest poll shows that 36 percent of American adults have used a rideshare service. The number jumps even higher for younger adults—51 percent of those aged 18-29 have used a ride-hailing service.
The research also uncovered disparities between urban and rural areas. In urban centers like Atlanta, people are more than twice as likely to take a ride with a company like Uber or Lyft compared to their rural counterparts.
The Increase in Rideshare Accidents
While the growth of ridesharing may be good news for Uber and Lyft, it has contributed to rising road safety concerns. A study from Rice University, analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), found that the rise in ridesharing has correlated with a 2 to 4 percent annual increase in fatal car accidents. This amounts to about a thousand more deaths each year.
Professor Yael V. Hochberg, the lead researcher of the Rice study, attributes this increase to the “quantity effect.” Simply put, more rideshare vehicles on the road means more traffic, more miles being driven, and ultimately, more accidents. Hochberg notes that this “quantity effect” has canceled out the positive benefits of fewer drunk drivers using the road.
What This Means for You
The likelihood of being involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle has increased—and that trend is likely to continue. If you’re among the growing number of Americans who use ridesharing, it’s essential to be aware of the risks.
Have You Been in a Rideshare Accident?
If you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in the Atlanta area, The Balams Firm is here to help. With extensive experience in handling rideshare accident cases, we’re ready to fight for your rights. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.
