Safety on the Line: Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents

While Uber and Lyft make getting around easier, accidents involving rideshare vehicles often raise complex legal questions. Behind the efficiency of rideshare apps lies a web of safety concerns and pressures that can lead to preventable accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare crash, Trust Guss Injury Lawyers can help you explore your legal options and determine who may be responsible.

Is Distracted Driving a Common Problem in Rideshare Crashes?

Rideshare drivers juggle a lot, from GPS directions and incoming ride requests to passenger communication. This multitasking often pulls their attention away from the road, especially in busy cities. Even a momentary glance at a phone screen can turn into a catastrophic accident.

• Smartphone Distractions: Switching between GPS, ride requests, and messages can take a driver’s eyes and mind off the road.
• Passenger Distractions: Conversations, fare adjustments, or dealing with difficult passengers can reduce focus on traffic.

Under Texas law, distracted driving is considered a failure to operate a vehicle with reasonable care, and that can establish legal fault. Our legal team uses phone records, trip data, app logs, and dashcam footage to prove distraction played a role.

How Does Driver Fatigue Impact Rideshare Safety?

There’s no federal law capping how long a rideshare driver can work. Many Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours, sometimes overnight or after a full-time shift elsewhere. Without enough rest, drivers are more likely to make poor decisions, miss hazards, or even fall asleep at the wheel. Texas law recognizes fatigue as a form of driver negligence. If a crash occurs and the driver had been logged in for extended hours, that history may serve as key evidence of unsafe operation.

Do Uber and Lyft Check Vehicle Maintenance?

Rideshare vehicles are often the driver’s personal car, and there’s no guarantee it’s safe. Uber and Lyft require annual inspections in Texas, but in reality, many vehicles go thousands of miles between checkups. Brake issues, worn tires, and engine problems can all lead to serious accidents if left unaddressed.

How Vehicle Inspections Strengthen Your Case

In Texas, a crash linked to poor vehicle condition may result in claims of negligent maintenance against the driver or, in some cases, product liability claims against a manufacturer or repair shop. If we suspect poor maintenance contributed to your crash, we will bring in qualified inspectors to evaluate the vehicle. That evidence can help show whether a mechanical issue contributed to the crash as well as who may be responsible.

Are Inexperienced Drivers a Danger?

Rideshare platforms don’t require drivers to have any professional driving background. Many are new to navigating city traffic, highway speeds, or unfamiliar neighborhoods, and the only preparation they receive is often limited to online onboarding materials.

Limited Training, Big Risks

With little or no in-person training, inexperienced drivers may struggle with sudden stops, missed signs, or poor lane changes, especially when they’re also managing real-time navigation and app notifications. This lack of experience can lead to hesitation, poor decision-making, or difficulty reacting to fast-changing conditions.

That’s Why We Investigate Driver History After a Crash

When crashes happen, we carefully review the driver’s history, trip records, and any signs of confusion or error behind the wheel to determine if inexperience played a role. Call us 24/7 at 888-298-4070 or contact us online for a free consultation if you’ve been injured. Our team will investigate every detail to protect your rights.

Do Rideshare Apps Encourage Unsafe Driving?

The way Uber and Lyft structure their platforms can unintentionally encourage risky behavior. Drivers are rated after every ride, penalized for rejecting trips, and rewarded for completing more rides in less time. These incentives can put pressure on drivers to speed, cut corners, or prioritize ratings over safety.

Surge pricing, acceptance scores, and location-based bonuses may lead some drivers to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t, like rushing through traffic or stopping in dangerous spots. In certain cases, the design of the app itself may be part of what led to a crash. Our team can examine app activity, driver communication, and trip details to help uncover whether platform pressure contributed to unsafe driving.

What About GPS Mistakes or Poor Navigation?

Rideshare drivers rely heavily on GPS, and sometimes that leads them down the wrong path. We’ve seen crashes caused by:

• Wrong-way routing into traffic
• Unsafe turns prompted by last-minute app recalculations
• Dead-end or off-road directions in rural areas

If a GPS error or mapping mistake led to your injuries, we may be able to pursue claims against the platform or third-party mapping services. It depends on the evidence—and that’s where early investigation is key.

Can Pick-Ups and Drop-Offs Be Dangerous?

Yes, the pick-up/drop-off phase is especially risky. Drivers often double-park, pull into bike lanes, or rush across lanes to reach waiting passengers. Combine that with heavy pedestrian traffic, impatient riders, and crowded curb space, and you have a recipe for chaos.

If your crash happened during a pick-up or drop-off, we’ll look at the location, ride status, and local traffic layout to determine whether the driver or Uber/Lyft should be held accountable. Call 888-298-4070 or contact us online to talk with someone about your crash and explore your options.

How Do Weather and Road Conditions Factor In?

Bad weather doesn’t excuse reckless driving. Rideshare drivers are still expected to adjust their speed, following distance, and behavior during heavy rain, fog, flash flooding, or slick road conditions.

If your crash occurred during a storm or on damaged roads, we’ll investigate whether the driver adapted their behavior appropriately. Drivers are still expected to adjust to poor conditions. Failing to do so may be considered negligence under Texas law.

What If Another Driver Caused the Crash?

Not all rideshare accidents are the Uber or Lyft driver’s fault. Third-party drivers can still be liable for rear-ending a stopped rideshare car, causing chain-reaction crashes, road rage, or other reckless behavior. In these cases, our team files claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance and leverages Uber/Lyft’s underinsured motorist coverage if needed.

What If the Passenger Caused a Distraction?

Occasionally, passengers play a role in rideshare crashes. This might include yelling, acting erratically, interfering with the driver while in motion, or distracting children or pets in the vehicle. While rare, these situations may involve shared liability. Dashcam footage, ride reports, and witness statements help us assess what really happened and who should be responsible.

Why Trust Guss Injury Lawyers?

Rideshare accidents aren’t simple fender-benders. They involve multiple parties, layered insurance policies, and fast-disappearing digital evidence. Our firm understands how to act quickly and fight smart. When you work with Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, you get:

• A compassionate team that puts your recovery first
• Legal support 24/7—because crashes don’t follow business hours
• Assistance gathering trip data, app logs, and vehicle records
• Strong negotiation with insurance companies and platforms
• No upfront legal fees—we’re only paid if we’re able to recover compensation on your behalf

Call Now for a Free Case Review

You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare crash, whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver, our team is here to help. We’ll work to uncover what happened, identify responsible parties, and pursue the full compensation available under the law. Call Trust Guss Injury Lawyers at 888-298-4070 or contact us online for your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 and ready to go to work for you.