Nighttime Rideshare Accidents: Risk Factors and Tips for Protection

Rideshare services make life a lot easier for those who can’t (or don’t like to) drive at night. Late-night trips to and from the airport no longer require a call to a family member desperately trying to stay awake, and going out for a drink is a lot safer with Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing apps.

However, car accidents happen, and that doesn’t change when you’re talking about rideshare drivers. It’s important to know your rights and options in this situation, which is where we can help. Contact Cunningham & Mears to discuss your case with a car accident attorney.

Why nighttime trips are more dangerous

Nighttime driving can be inherently more dangerous than daytime driving for a variety of reasons. To start, driver fatigue is a massive issue. Drivers who are up late at night are often tired, starting to lose focus from the day, and struggling to pay attention to the road. This is particularly true for rideshare drivers, who sometimes do this job as a side gig after working a full-time job all day long. Fatigued driving leads to avoidable deaths, and drivers on rural roads or highways are at greatest risk.

Nighttime driving is also riskier because of impaired drivers. While drunk drivers can be on the road at all hours of the day, there is a definite increase in impaired drivers at nighttime. This is especially true on weekends and holidays. Even if your own driver is sober, there’s a chance that you’ll be sharing the road with drivers who are not.

Those who drive at night also have to deal with reduced visibility. A pedestrian crossing unexpectedly from the side of the road, animals dashing into the street, and cyclists without reflective gear can all put drivers in a tough position and force them to take evasive action. If your driver is unfamiliar with the area, dimly lit neighborhoods and rural roads pose additional challenges that they may not be prepared for.

Speeding also tends to increase at night. Why? Drivers feel more comfortable speeding because there tend to be fewer cars on the road, and so they may believe the risk of an accident is lower. When you combine speeding with any other risk factor, you have an environment where accidents can occur.

Staying safe as a rideshare user

While you can’t control everything about your rideshare trips, you can take a few additional steps to protect yourself and minimize your risk of accidents. We recommend:

• Carefully choosing your pickup and drop-off spot: Don’t choose spots that are dimly lit or that are easy to miss when driving. Choose well-lit areas where your driver can see you and where you don’t have to worry about another driver accidentally striking you.
• Verify your driver and vehicle: Beyond the risks of nighttime driving, you still have to worry about the inherent danger of getting in a car with someone you don’t know. Before you get in the vehicle, verify that you’re getting into the right car. Wait for them to say your name first—don’t give your name and wait for them to confirm. Check their name, vehicle model, and license plate against what is listed in the app. It may seem like overkill, and your driver may get annoyed about the few-second delay, but your safety is worth it.
• Buckle up: Wearing your seatbelt is one of the easiest things you can do to consistently lower your risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries in a car accident.
• Stay alert: Avoid getting pulled into your phone or drifting off to sleep, even if you’ve been on a plane all day or you’re finishing a long shift. This gives you a chance to make sure that your driver is operating the vehicle safely. If they are drifting off, swerving in between lanes, texting and driving, or otherwise putting you in danger, you can ask them to pull over so you can call a different driver. Again, this may annoy rideshare drivers, but it’s not about their comfort—it’s about your safety.
• Share your location: Any time you take a rideshare trip, you should let someone you love and trust know where you’re starting out and where you’re going. Then, share your location via your phone so they can track you. This way, if your vehicle stops for an unusually long time (indicating an accident) or goes way off track (indicating potential threats to your physical safety), they’ll be aware.

What to do if you’re injured in a rideshare at night

After a rideshare accident, it’s crucial to take steps to protect yourself physically and legally. Report the accident to law enforcement. You can call a non-emergency line for a minor accident, but if it’s a serious accident, call 911.

Before you leave the scene of the crash, take pictures of the accident and get contact and insurance information for all involved parties. Screenshot the rideshare ride in your app, because it may no longer be accessible once an accident is reported.

Your next step should be seeking medical attention. Whether you go to an urgent care center or an emergency room, prompt medical care can tie your injuries to the accident you were involved in.

Finally, reach out to a rideshare accident attorney. They can start investigating your accident and figure out how to proceed.

Fight for fair compensation with Cunningham & Mears

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident and you’re struggling to get the compensation you deserve, let’s talk about your next steps. Call us or fill out our online contact form to get started.