When thinking about what service to use when you need a ride, you may automatically think of sending for a driver with your Uber or Lyft app before you’d think about calling for a cab. Rideshare services have made it easy to get a ride and get to where you need to be anytime and almost anywhere.

But just how safe are these rideshare services? It’s likely you’ve heard multiple news reports of accidents and assaults over the past few years, which is why it’s a good idea to evaluate your options when it comes to rideshare services versus other transportation industries.

An Uber driver, Danyal Cheema, in Long Island was charged with second-degree manslaughter in early November 2018 after a 15-year-old boy fell from the roof of the driver’s vehicle while car surfing in September.

Newsday reported that on September 23, 2018, Ryan Mullen, who was a student at St. Anthony’s High School and from Cold Spring Harbor, along with two 16-year-old friends, attended several parties in the Cold Spring Harbor area prior to requesting an Uber. According to the prosecutor, it is believed the teenagers had been drinking. They are in the process of determining where the alcohol came from.

Uber’s self-driving cars may be returning to Pittsburgh’s public roads. The idea of self-automated vehicles may sound like something that belongs in the far-off future, but rideshare companies like Uber already have these kinds of vehicles and are testing them today. Many people may remember the accident in Arizona last March where a woman was hit by a self-driving vehicle. Uber is new safety protocols to make self-automated cars safer.

Uber applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to resume testing their self-driving cars. After the March crash, their tests were suspended. While Uber returned cars that are able to drive themselves in Pittsburgh last July, they kept them out of that mode and had human drivers in control.

Rideshare apps like Uber provide people with options to getting around an area they don’t know and when they’re without a car. However, Uber has had its issues in the past, with 103 of their drivers accused of sexual assault or abuse. In addition to this, they’re also working on how to quicken emergency responses in the event of an accident. Uber is implementing several new safety features that will help improve overall safety and reduce the number of accidents.

To be an Uber driver, one must be the minimum eligible age to drive, have a valid US license, have one year of driving experience as a licensed driver, although those under 23 years old must have three years of experience, and have an eligible car with four doors. They also need to submit proof of residency, insurance, send a profile photo, and answer questions about criminal history and their driving record.

Uber has faced criticism for their hiring process and that it’s not thorough. The company is taking steps to make their rideshare service more thorough and to provide more information to users.

The laws pertaining to rideshare services and auto accidents are continuously evolving, as this is a relatively new area of law. As a result, it can be confusing to navigate this legal field in the event of a wreck. If you’ve been hit by an Uber vehicle as a pedestrian, you may be wondering about your legal rights and options. Our Uber accident lawyers can investigate your case and answer any questions you may have.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

When you head outside on foot, whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or simply taking a walk, you may find yourself vulnerable to the traffic buzzing nearby. Pedestrians are at risk of being struck by a vehicle in a number of different situations, most of which are caused by driver negligence. The accident rates may be even higher than you realize.