Looking at Uber’s Effect on Auto Accidents (and What to Do if You’re in One)

Just like thousands of your neighbors in Memphis and Jackson, you have become an avid fan of the ridesharing services Uber and Lyft. Using a ridesharing service can be an affordable and convenient way to get around, whether you own a vehicle or not. Ridesharing services have had a positive impact in lowering the number of drunk-driving accidents too. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Uber conducted a study in 2015 that showed how Uber reduced the number of drunk driving crashes by 60 per month in the state of California among drivers under the age of 30. About 80% of drivers who responded to this survey said that they and their friends were less likely to drink and drive since they started using ridesharing services.

Tennessee’s rules for Uber and Lyft

In Tennessee, Uber and Lyft drivers must be able to pass a federal, state, and local background check that goes back seven years and includes a check of the National Sex Offender Registry and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ records. According to WATE.com, in 2015, Tennessee passed a ridesharing bill that requires Uber to provide $1 million of insurance coverage from the time a trip is requested until the passenger has been dropped off. So luckily, if your Uber is hit by another car (or hits another car), there is a plan in place to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and your time lost from work.

Knowing that your driver’s background has been verified and that your ride is fully insured can make you feel much safer when you use a ridesharing service. It also makes the drivers feel much more confident that everything is covered if something goes wrong.

What do you do if you are in a crash while you are a passenger in a ridesharing service vehicle?

You should basically do all the things you would do if you had been in a wreck in your own vehicle. You need to check to make sure that you are okay and that everyone around you is okay. You should use your phone to snap pictures of the crash and of your injuries if they are visible. You should also probably take a video of the damage at the scene of the crash if you can safely do so. Finally, be sure to get your driver’s name and contact information and the name and contact information of any witnesses to the crash. You should also verify that those witnesses will testify later on if the need arises.

If you sustain an injury as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may have questions about what to do next. One phone call to Bailey & Greer, PLLC, will help put your mind at ease. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, you will not pay for the initial consultation to discuss your case. In fact, you won’t owe us a dime unless we get you compensation.

If you have been involved in an auto accident while you were an Uber or Lyft passenger in West Tennessee, you may want to have a consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney at the law offices of Bailey & Greer, PLLC. Please call 901-680-9777 today or contact us to schedule a consultation at our Memphis or Jackson office to discuss your case.