Reading Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Reading Personal Injury Lawyer / Reading Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one been injured while utilizing a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft in the Reading area? If so, you may have questions about financial recovery, responsibility, and where you can turn for trusted legal advice.

woman holding cell phone hailing rideshare service The Reading rideshare accident lawyers of Munley Law know how complicated these collisions can be, especially when determining fault and liability. However, you do have options and a right to pursue compensation for the losses and injuries you sustained.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Reading rideshare accident lawyers of Munley Law by calling 570-209-5089 or by connecting with us online.

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis which means you pay nothing upfront and you don't owe us a dime until your claim is settled. And, if we don't win, you don't pay. Time is of the essence so act quickly to begin the claims process for your Reading rideshare accident.

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Reading Ridesharing Accidents

In one study, it was estimated that 36 percent of Americans have used a ridesharing service, with most users taking advantage of the ride-hailing platforms in urban and suburban communities.

With the population density of Reading, PA, it's no surprise that platforms like Uber and Lyft are popular, however, they do come with risks. In a study of the most dangerous intersections in Reading, the most deadly intersections and roadways included:

Second and Buttonwood Streets
The intersection of Lancaster Avenue
Route 10
Ramps from Route 422
North Eighth Street
North Fifth Street
Kenhorst Boulevard
Schuylkill Avenue
Laurel Street
Perkiomen Avenue and Mineral Spring Road
Northeast streets
Hampden Boulevard
Front, Amity, and Pike Streets and Centre Avenue
Sixth Street from Amity to Pike Streets
Fourth and Cherry Streets
Franklin Street

Surprisingly, most of the 5,425 traffic accidents in the timeframe of January 2020 through July 31, 2021, occurred at intersections with traffic-controlled devices, impacting drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. This makes you wonder, am I safe to be dropped off or picked up in a rideshare service along these roadways? What injuries are most likely to occur? What else should I know about rideshare accidents?

Munley Law is here to explain what you need to know about Reading Uber and Lyft accidents.

Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Reading

As rideshare accident lawyers, we have seen our fair share of claims for accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers across Pennsylvania. And while you may have opted to utilize a rideshare service after a night on the town, or as a more economical means to get from point A to B, as a rider or a driver on the road, there are certain dangers you need to be aware of.

Common causes of rideshare accidents in Reading include:

Fatigued driving: Though recent trends show that most rideshare drivers are full-time drivers or delivery workers for Uber and/or Lyft, there are still drivers who work multiple jobs, making long hours, and increasing the risk of driver fatigue. Driving drowsy can have a similar impact on reaction time as driving under the influence. Because of this, accidents can occur.
Distracted driving: Despite laws meant to limit the use of cell phones while behind the wheel, rideshare drivers must rely on their smartphones to arrange passenger pickups and drop-offs, find directions, etc. Further, some passengers may try to engage in conversation with their driver, making it more difficult to focus on the road and any obstacles that may appear.
Aggressive driving: If a rideshare driver is under pressure to make a certain deadline for deliveries or passenger pickups/drop-offs, it may lead them to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding. Unfortunately, these aggressive driving tactics can become dangerous to passengers and other roadway users, especially on roadways the driver may be otherwise unfamiliar with.
Poor weather conditions: Pennsylvania weather may lead you to experience multiple seasons in one day, which can cause roadways to be difficult to navigate. From rain and snow to sleet and black ice, drivers who do not exercise safety precautions can find themselves in disastrous situations.
Driver inexperience: Despite driving requirements for Lyft and Uber, some drivers may just be inexperienced which can lead to fatalities when behind the wheel.

Common Injuries in Uber and Lyft Accidents

Despite rideshare services being intended to prevent accidents and serious injuries, they still occur. Common injuries in rideshare accidents such as those involving Uber or Lyft include:

Neck and back injuries and soreness
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Soft tissue injuries
Bruised and broken ribs
Cuts and lacerations
Broken bones
Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
Spinal cord injuries
Amputation
Loss of hearing
Loss of vision
Whiplash

Not all of these injuries will be apparent right away, which is why it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. As a victim of a rideshare accident, you'll also want to keep track of any medical treatment, changes in health, and medical bills accumulated as a result of the accident to ensure you get the proper compensation needed to move forward.

What Are the Rideshare Accident Statistics?

It is estimated that since 2010, there have been approximately 11 billion rideshare rides in the United States.

Like any automobile, you take a risk entering a rideshare vehicle. While companies like Uber and Lyft preach that you're decreasing safety issues by using a rideshare, that's only partially true. In one way, it allows customers who have been drinking to safely hail a ride home, on another, you are still entering a stranger's vehicle.

Learn about rideshare safety statistic below.

How many accidents happen in Ubers?

In Uber's safety reports, statistics from 2017 and 2018 showed that 97 Uber vehicles were involved in accidents that resulted in 107 deaths. In 2019 and 2020, that data remained steady, showing 91 fatal accidents.

Uber's safety reports showed similar findings for the years 2017 and 2019.

Which is the safest rideshare?

What's important to know is that Uber conducts far more rides per day as compared to Lyft, making it seem as though Uber would be the safest rideshare option. But there are other factors to consider before you hail a ride in Reading.

Inside Lyft's safety report, the company reported that ten people were killed in physical altercations and over 4,000 people were assaulted during a Lyft transport from 2017 to 2019.

Uber reports showed that 3,045 sexual assaults occurred in 2018 and another 3,000 in 2019. Further, nine people were murdered during Uber rides. Uber does explain that the number of drivers involved in physical assaults is equivalent to the number of passengers as victims.

Unfortunately, when utilizing a rideshare service, you don't know who is going to be picking you up, which is why users of the platform need to remain diligent about their surroundings.

All of this considered, there is no true “safest rideshare” but rather, a game of risk for each ride.

How many people have died in Uber crashes?

Uber safety reports for 2019 and 2020 showed that there were 101 fatalities in 91 fatal accidents. The company claims that the causes of these accidents were:

Speeding
Driving under the influence of alcohol

Of these fatal collisions, the people most impacted by these collisions were:

Pedestrians
Motorcyclists
Cyclists

Lyft also released safety reports for the years 2017 and 2019. Lyft has a similar number of fatalities during that time frame, approximately a hundred fatalities.

Studies suggest since the emergence of rideshare services, there has been a two-to-three percent increase in traffic fatalities.

While rideshare companies claimed that their prevalence would cut down on traffic accidents and fatalities, opponents of the platform are not convinced.

What are the requirements for rideshare drivers?

Lyft Driving Requirements

Lyft has specific driving requirements for each state the driver may be employed in. The following are Pennsylvania driving requirements to be a Lyft driver.

Driver: To be a Lyft driver, you must have a valid driver's license; be 25 years of age or older, pass a driver screening including a driving history and criminal background check, and have a smartphone to use the Lyft driver app.
Vehicle: Your vehicle must be a 2008 or newer with fewer than 350,000 miles. It must have four doors, have five to eight seatbelts total, cannot be a taxi, limo, or rental car, and cannot be titled as “salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt, or any other equivalent classification.”
Documents: You must have a driver profile photo, vehicle registration, personal vehicle insurance, and a vehicle inspection sticker
Displays: In most Pennsylvania cities, you need one Lyft emblem displayed on the vehicle–in Philadelphia, you need two.
Time: Drivers must take a full, uninterrupted 6-hour break every 12 hours in driver mode.

Uber Driving Requirements

For Uber drivers, similar requirements apply including:

You must meet the minimum age to drive in your city
Have at least one year of licensed driving experience if you are over 25 years old and three years of experience if you are under 25
Maintain an in-state driver's license
Drive a four-door vehicle that is a 15-year-old vehicle or newer and contains no commercial branding
Have automobile insurance

In addition, you must supply the following:

A valid US driver's license
Proof of residency in your city, state, or province
Proof of vehicle insurance
A driver profile photo
A completed driving screening and criminal background check

Finding a Reading Rideshare Lawyer

Finding a Reading rideshare lawyer can be a challenge as not all car accident attorneys are well-versed in the nuances of rideshare regulations. However, Munley Law is.

When finding an attorney to take on your case, make sure they have the resources to give you the best chance at financial recovery. This includes checking attorney listings, asking for references, and meeting with the legal team during a free consultation. Once you've found the attorneys at Munley Law through your search, then we can begin the process of helping you through this difficult time.

Our rideshare accident attorneys will help you through the process of filing a rideshare claim or taking the at-fault parties to court. We do this by:

Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident. This includes accident recreation, working with experts, and gathering evidence.
Determining the value of your claim. Several factors will determine the value of your claim. This includes your physical injuries, lost income, property damage, etc.
Establishing liability. When you hailed your Uber or Lyft, you expected to make it to your destination safely. But when your driver engages in reckless behavior resulting in your injuries, you need to be able to move forward from your losses.
Handling communications. Be it with the insurance companies, the rideshare company, or your own insurance provider, Munley Law will handle the communication so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Leading negotiations. The rideshare company and insurance companies are going to want to lowball the value of your claim. Munley Law will handle negotiations so you get the compensation you need to pay for your losses.
Taking your case to court. Sometimes the accident is just not able to be settled in negotiations and may require court intervention. Our trial lawyers are ready to put in the time to ensure you get what is yours.

Getting Compensation for a Reading Rideshare Accident

Both Uber and Lyft require drivers to carry personal insurance, but they also hold some forms of liability coverage if a driver is involved in an accident while in driver mode.

For Lyft drivers, if the app is off, your personal insurance applies. If you are in the app and waiting to receive a ride request, Lyft has third-party liability insurance for covered accidents when the drivers' personal insurance does not apply to at least:

$50,000/person for bodily injury
$100,000/accident for bodily injury
$25,000/accident for property damage

If the app is on and the driver is on their way to pick up passengers or during rides, Lyft has the following forms of coverage:

At least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability
First-party coverages (uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage)
For drivers with comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft maintains contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible

Uber also provides some forms of liability coverage. If a driver is offline or the driver app is off, the driver's personal insurance company and coverages apply. If a driver is available or waiting for a ride request, Uber provides the following auto insurance:

Third-party liability if your auto insurance doesn't apply
$50,000 in bodily injury per person
$100,000 in bodily injury per accident
$25,000 in property damage per accident

If a driver is en route to pick up riders and during trips, Uber provides the following forms of coverage:

$1,000,000 third-party liability
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance
Contingent comprehensive and collision
Up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible

Knowing these insurance policies is important as the cause of the accident will determine who is at fault, and where you can recover compensation. Keep in mind that the rideshare driver may not be at-fault for the accident, and it could be another party. This is why you need to contact a Munley Law Reading rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance at financial recovery.

Injured in a Rideshare Accident? Call the Reading Rideshare Attorneys at Munley Law Today

If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident involving a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, you'll likely have questions about who is at fault, who is responsible for your losses, and where you can go for help. That's where Munley Law comes in.

Our rideshare accident lawyers work diligently to determine what went wrong during your ride, figure out what insurance companies will be picking up the tab for your losses, and help you bring your case to court if needed.

Unfortunately, many victims of rideshare accidents, worry they cannot afford legal representation. At Munley Law, our attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. This means that there is no fee for our services unless we win your case. The contingency fee protects you from financial risk in pursuing your case while ensuring you get all of the resources necessary to build the strongest case. And if we don't win, we don't get paid meaning you are having to lose.

Getting the compensation you need to recover from the events of a rideshare accident in Reading, PA can leave you feeling vulnerable and afraid. But you don't have to. For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Reading rideshare accident lawyers of Munley Law. The insurance companies will work fast to mitigate your losses. But Munley Law works faster and harder. Contact us today.