Uber is one of the most popular California rideshare apps among commuters. It was first introduced in 2009 and has quickly become a national sensation, with its promise of convenience, safety, and affordability. While there is much contention surrounding Uber’s affordability nowadays, it has nevertheless garnered enough brand recognition to stay on top of the ridesharing game. It has prided itself on bringing down traffic fatalities, especially those involving drunk driving.
Perhaps they are right in patting themselves on the back for this one, but a study done by the University of Chicago proclaims that contrary to popular belief, ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are actually responsible for the increase in traffic fatalities starting 2010. Since the 1980s, vehicular accidents have been at a steady decline. But the researchers in University of Chicago claim that the trend shifted upwards the year Uber became widely-used. Together with ride-sharing app Lyft, they claim that they account for nearly 3% of fatality increases per year.
They suspect that this is because rideshare apps incentivize their drivers to stay as long as they can on the road to accommodate all potential riders who need to get to their destination as quickly as possible. The proliferation of vehicles on the road subsequently increases the likelihood of car accidents as it adds to traffic congestion, and drivers and riders may need the services of an Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles when this happens.
But while there is no denying that Uber accidents occur, the rideshare company questions the validity of their research methodology, citing instead an independent study that backs up Uber’s claims regarding its positive impact on reducing drunk driving. The study stipulates that Uber reduced DUI crashes as made evident in their presence in Houston, reducing collision traumas by 23.8% on Friday and Saturday nights.
Additionally, Uber has also made a commitment to produce safety reports every year. They haven’t reported on the years 2021 and 2022 just yet, claiming that their data collection has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But according to their latest report, 99.9% of Uber trips ended with no accidents whatsoever, solidifying the claims that Uber is, in fact, instrumental to overall traffic safety.
Seemingly.
It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue following the rise of traffic fatalities in Los Angeles, especially as the data for 2021-2022 is currently not available. The LAist reports that despite the absence of cars on the road, 2020 nevertheless was heralded as “one of the deadliest years on U.S. roads in more than a decade.” To make matters worse, severe and fatal DUI and hit-and-run crashes have increased across the board the succeeding year.
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But whether Uber’s rideshare service stays true to their promise of safety, being on the road still poses a risk of an accident. We have represented clients who have been afflicted by various personal injuries, including Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Soft Tissue Injury, and many more. Our awards and excellent testimonials are a result of our ability to empathize and attend to the needs of our clients. Here at Omega Law Group, you will come first. If you or a loved one is afflicted with an accident, reach out to our team. Visit our Contact Us page or call us at (310) 504-1852.