Frisco Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Texas

Ridesharing collisions are typically caused by factors that are similar to those found in any other auto accident. Some of these factors include:

• Speeding
• Ignoring hazardous conditions
• Distracted driving
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Failing to obey traffic signals and signs
• Inexperienced or unqualified driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Drunk driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Rideshare Driver Requirements in Texas

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have similar driver requirements that are consistent across platforms. For instance, in order to become an Uber or Lyft driver in Texas, certain criteria must be met, including:

• Have a personal auto insurance policy for their vehicle
• Have valid registration for the vehicle
• Have a smartphone that can run the Lyft app
• Be at least 25 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Pass a screening that includes a criminal background check and a review of the applicant’s driving history
• Have a vehicle that is less than 15 years old
• Have a vehicle with four doors and five to eight seats, including the driver’s seat
• Have a vehicle that is not a taxi, limousine, or rental vehicle
• Have a vehicle that is not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt, or any similar classification

Uber’s requirements for Texas drivers are comparable to Lyft’s, with a few exceptions. Uber’s requirements that differ from Lyft’s include the following:

• Drivers must meet the minimum age to drive in Texas
• Drivers must have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the U.S. or three years if they are under 25
• Drivers must have proof of residency in their city, state, or province
• Drivers must have a vehicle in good condition with no cosmetic damage
• Drivers must have a vehicle without commercial branding

In addition, Uber has specific vehicle requirements based on the type of trip, including UberX, UberXL, Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, and Comfort. Rideshare drivers must also adhere to state and local laws. In Texas, rideshare vehicles must undergo annual inspections for registration.

Not to mention, certain counties in Texas mandate annual emissions tests, such as Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson counties. It’s important to note that texting while driving is illegal in Texas, including for rideshare drivers. For more information, please visit the Texas Department of Transportation’s website.

Uber and Lyft Car Accident Statistics

With the rising popularity of rideshare services, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of traffic accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and similar platforms. To shed light on the magnitude of this issue, here are a few statistics highlighting the prevalence of Uber and Lyft accidents:

• According to a recent report shared with investors, Uber’s drivers successfully completed approximately 1.95 billion trips during a single fiscal quarter. This impressive figure translates to an average of around 21 million trips per day.
• In Uber’s latest Safety Report, it was revealed that there were 91 fatal crashes involving Uber vehicles nationwide in a recent year, resulting in over 100 tragic deaths.
• A study conducted by the University of Chicago shed light on the potential impact of rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. The research suggests that over the past decade, these services may have contributed to a two- to three-percent increase in traffic fatalities across the country.