Rideshare Accident & Injury Statistics

Over the past decade, rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have become the go-to platforms in the on-demand transportation industry, providing customers with convenient, enjoyable, and affordable rideshare services. With a combined market capitalization of billions of dollars, rideshare companies have successfully recruited more drivers, vehicles, and customers, which, unfortunately, translates into a significant spike in traffic volume in Houston and more opportunities for accidents involving these Uber and Lyft vehicles.

Considering that more people feel like Uber and Lyft are safer options, is there a way to keep track of rideshare crash data? Has the ridesharing boom led to an increase in traffic accidents, injuries, or deaths? Rideshare accident statistics help answer these provocative questions.

If you suffered injuries in a Lyft or Uber accident in Houston, it’s critical that you work with a rideshare accident attorney experienced in these types of cases. The experienced rideshare accident lawyers at Johnson Garcia LLP understand these cases and can help you learn more about your rights and legal options at no risk. Call 832-844-6700 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Uber and Lyft Accident Statistics

According to Uber’s 2019-2020 Safety Report, the national motor vehicle fatality rate for 2019 and 2020 — as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — connected with the Uber platform was about half the national average. Other key findings from the report for the same period include the following:

There were 101 motor vehicle fatalities occurred across 91 Uber-related accidents
32 percent of Uber-related fatalities involved at least one vehicle that was speeding, and 9 percent of these were Uber drivers
23 percent of Uber-related fatalities involved an intoxicated driver, and 100 percent of these were third-party drivers
42 percent of Uber-related fatalities were vulnerable road users; 7 percent were scooter and bicycle riders, 29 percent were third-party motorcyclists, and 64 percent were pedestrians.

That said, a 2018 study titled “The Cost of Convenience: Ridesharing and Traffic Fatalities” conducted by a trio of economists — John Barrios of the University of Chicago in Illinois, Livia Yi, and Yael Hochberg of Rice University in Houston, Texas — concluded that rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber accounted for a 2 to 3 percent increase in the number of fatal crashes across the U.S.

While it’s tempting to suggest that 2 two 3 percent is relatively insignificant, it’s noteworthy that the number of rideshare drivers, vehicles, and riders is constantly increasing. As a result, the seemingly low number of fatal rideshare-related crashes may soon double or triple.

Most Common Types of Rideshare Crashes in Houston

The Texas Department of Transportation collects data annually on traffic accidents throughout the state. In 2021, Houston experienced 312 fatal crashes, 327 individuals lost their lives, and 6,930 severe and minor injuries were reported from these crashes. Different types of crashes cause the majority of these fatalities and injuries.

Knowing the common types of Uber or Lyft accidents in Houston not only helps to identify potentially liable parties in a ride-sharing accident but also to calculate the settlement or compensation amount. The Houston rideshare accident lawyers at Johnson Garcia LLP represent people who have suffered injuries in all types of Lyft and Uber crashes, including:

Head-On Crashes

Some of the most serious rideshare accidents we see on our roads are head-on collisions. According to the 2021 annual Texas crash report released by the Texas Department of Transportation, 613 people were killed in head-on collisions. Negligence is the leading cause of head-on crashes, with common types including:

Distracted driving
Errors in turning
Drunk driving

Sideswipe Accidents

Typically, sideswipe accidents are mild mishaps. These accidents occur when two vehicles “swipe” each other. These types of accidents occur when one car attempts to merge or change lanes without using mirrors. Sideswipe accidents also occur when rideshare drivers are looking for their passengers, are preoccupied with their phones, or are rushing to a parking spot.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover crashes are generally single-car accidents and are often the result of a driver losing control of their vehicle, whether it’s due to misjudging a turn, speeding, attempting to avoid another vehicle, or driving in poor conditions. Some rideshare vehicles also suffer from defects that can lead to rollover crashes.

T-bone Accidents

Also known as side-impact crashes, T-bone rideshare accidents occur most often at intersections and parking lots.

Sometimes, a rideshare or third-party driver may neglect a yield sign, disregard a red light, or make an illegal U-turn, causing a T-bone accident. Because T-bone crashes involve impact at the side of one or more vehicles — where vehicle occupants have the least protection — there is always the potential for severe injuries or even death.

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end collisions are common in congested areas such as Houston, where there is stop-and-start traffic, as all drivers are prone to tailgating, speeding, and being distracted by phones.

In a rear-end collision, one vehicle hits the rear of another. This type of crash can result in severe damage to the vehicle and injuries such as whiplash to the vehicle’s occupants.

People often assume that the vehicle in the rear is at fault. However, this is not always the case. The other party could be liable when the vehicle in front makes an abrupt stop when it shouldn’t have. If you were involved in a rear-end crash or other types of accidents as a rideshare driver or passenger, it’s important to work with a skilled and experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer near you to investigate the crash, the roadway, and other factors that may have led to the accident.

How an Uber Accident Attorney Can Help

With 35+ years of combined experience, the skilled Houston rideshare accident lawyers at Johnson Garcia LLP are dedicated to helping drivers struck by rideshare drivers, pedestrians struck by Lyft or Uber drivers, and passengers in rideshares hit by other drivers. Our team can assist with the following:

Explain how Texas’s at-fault car insurance applies to your Uber or Lyft accident case
Investigate all potentially liable parties, including the rideshare company, the rideshare driver, or other at-fault third-party drivers
Demand maximum compensation for your injuries from all potential sources of compensation
Represent you aggressively during negotiations and settlements.

If the ridesharing company or any other third party isn’t negotiating fairly or if they deny your claim, our trial lawyers are ready to take your case to court.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers To Discuss Your Rideshare Accident Case

Getting injured because of someone else’s negligence is hard. You have the right to hold that party accountable. An experienced Houston car accident lawyer at Johnson Garcia can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

At Johnson Garcia, our legal team knows the complications that pile up in the wake of a rideshare accident. Let us help! Contact us online or give us a call today for a free consultation at 832-844-6700.

Rideshare Accident & Injury Statistics