Uber and Lyft are seen as the two biggest ride sharing names, dominating the roads across cities in California. But, how do they compare in terms of safety? While both companies provide convenient transportation services, concerns over accidents and assaults remain a concern for many commuters. 

How Often Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?

Rideshare accidents are relatively rare compared to the large number of trips that are completed each day. Companies like Uber and Lyft report low incident rates per trip, with fatal crashes happening a small fraction of rides. Despite how infrequent these cases are, the high volume of rides means that accidents and safety issues can still affect riders each year.

Which Company Has More Rideshare Accidents?

As Uber and Lyft dominate the rideshare industry, both companies have encountered scrutiny over the years for accidents and safety concerns involving drivers, passengers, and third parties. Let’s take a look at the data presented to determine which company has more rideshare accidents, giving you an idea of what risks are involved when using their services.

Uber

According to Uber’s 2021 and 2022 safety report, the company experienced a total of 153 individual motor vehicle fatalities across 127 deadly uber-related crashes. Other additional information include the following:

• 33 percent of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver, in which all were third party drivers
• 97 percent of these cases happened in urban areas
• 45 percent of deaths were individuals using the Uber app 
• 29 percent were riders, and 16 percent were drivers 
• 62 percent of Uber rider and driver deaths involved third party risky-driving behavior 
• 39 percent involved a speeding vehicle, with Uber claiming that 93 percent were caused by third party drivers 
• 13 percent of fatal collisions occurred due to drivers traveling in the wrong direction, and were all caused by third party drivers 

Uber also notes that 0.000008 percent of total rides lead to a fatality, which translates to about one in every 12,000,000 trips. 

Lyft

While Lyft’s 2020 to 2022 safety report did not provide as much detailed information as Uber, it did release data targeting fatal accidents. The company claims that safety incidents are very rare, happening in only 0.0002 percent of rides. They further go on to mention that they have faced a total of 111 motor vehicle fatalities, indicating a 14 percent increase in rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, and a 31 percent increase in incident frequency rate compared to its previous report. 

Does Uber Have More Accidents Because It Is Bigger?

Most likely yes. Uber is a large company that currently functions in more cities and has more drivers compared to Lyft. This means that they will experience a higher volume of ride requests, increasing the likelihood of motor vehicle accidents. 

The Verdict: Uber or Lyft – Which Is Riskier?

When comparing the data collected by both rideshare companies, Lyft could be considered riskier on a per-ride basis. They have a higher fatality rate per trip, meaning that, on average, there is a greater chance of accidents per ride. Uber, on the other hand, has a higher total of fatalities, but it is lower in proportion to trips taken. Due to the company’s larger scale, they are expected to report more deadly crashes. 

In terms of physical and sexual assault, it appears that Uber has a higher number of cases, with 36 physical assault fatalities and 2,717 reports of sexual assault and misconduct between 2021 and 2022, indicating ongoing safety concerns for drivers and passengers. Although Lyft may have a lower number of cases from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022, they are seeing a 185% rise in fatal physical assaults, and a total of 2,651 instances of sexual assault.

Get Legal Assistance with West Coast Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may have several legal options available depending on fault and other factors surrounding the crash. Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage may also apply, especially if the rideshare driver was active during the time of impact. Their policies typically offer up to $1 million in coverage for bodily injury and other damages. In more challenging cases, like uninsured drivers or wrongful death, additional legal action may be required to secure the compensation and justice you deserve.

At West Coast Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers, our team is prepared to guide you every step of the way. We know how difficult and stressful these situations can be and we are here to make it a smoother process for you. From dealing with complex insurance policies to building a well-constructed case on your behalf, we are dedicated to getting you the best outcome possible.

To book a FREE consultation, call us at (213) 465-8682 or fill out our convenient online contact form.