New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days for ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. Unfortunately, with more travelers on the road, the risk of road traffic crashes also increases.
If you find yourself in a Lyft or Uber car accident during the holidays, you’ll need to take steps to protect yourself. Haffner Law’s Uber accident attorney in Los Angeles can help you file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your losses.
The rise of app-based ridesharing services
The popularity of ridesharing services has grown dramatically since their introduction in 2009 (Uber) and 2012 (Lyft). These apps have collectively made 11 billion trips in the U.S. Part of what makes Uber and Lyft so popular is their convenience and cost-effectiveness. Passengers typically get where they are going quicker and cheaper than they would by taxis.
Despite the advantages they offer, these ridesharing apps were found to have increased traffic congestion and the rate of fatal car crashes. According to a study done by researchers at Rice University and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, the arrival of app-based ride-hailing apps in a city led to a 3% increase in the total number of motor vehicle fatalities. These accidents involved not only passengers but also pedestrians. Likewise, gas consumption, time spent in traffic, miles driven, and the number of newly registered cars also skyrocketed.
The unfortunate reality is that, like all modes of transportation, neither Uber nor Lyft can ever completely guarantee passenger safety. More so during the holiday season, when packed roads and drunk driving cases become more widespread.
California road fatalities on New Year’s Eve
The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s often sees a dramatic rise in DUI incidents as people partake in holiday celebrations. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 210 lives were lost during the Christmas to New Year’s Day holiday period in 2019 due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Alcohol can slow down a driver’s reflexes and increase feelings of drowsiness, putting other motorists in their vicinity at serious risk.
In California alone, a total of 244 drivers were arrested on the evening of December 31, 2020. All of them were suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, or similar substances.
In addition, California saw an increase in the fatality rate of traffic accidents during New Year’s Eve 2020. According to the California Highway Patrol, a total of 13 lives were lost due to a traffic accident from the evening of the 31st to the early morning of the next day.
What to do after an Uber or Lyft car accident
Uber and Lyft drivers are not invincible, and sometimes they can get into accidents, especially during busy holiday seasons. Unfortunately, those incidents can seriously harm you, whether you were the Uber passenger, driving your own car, or crossing the street.
If the accident occurred as a result of the Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence, Haffner Law can help you pursue full compensation for your losses. Contact our Uber accident attorneys immediately and get the aggressive representation you need.
