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Unfortunately, there are several common causes of a Maryland Uber accident. Here, we outline the most pervasive causes that can deal harm to you, your friends, and your family. As Maryland Uber accident lawyers, we have heard second-hand about nearly every imaginable scenario that results in an Uber accident. While there is always the extreme case involving aggressive driving, the same few accident types tend to happen more often than most. Our car accident lawyers in Maryland have handled over 10,000 accident cases since our founding in 1954. This positions us to understand not just the most common causes, who is at fault, and how to value your case after negligence strikes your vehicle. While many common causes exist in standard car accident cases, many are unique to Maryland Uber accidents.
Understanding these common causes may help you prevent an accident in the future. If you are an Uber driver, the power is in your hands to mitigate the risk of an accident for your safety and your passenger. If you are an Uber passenger, there are still steps you can take to protect yourself. We understand getting in the car with a stranger can be daunting, especially when you do not trust their driving ability. But there are still things you can do to protect yourself. You can pick a safe pick-up location that is well-lit and away from traffic. You should always wear your seatbelt and avoid distracting your driver as much as possible. If your driver is behaving aggressively, you can politely remind your driver to obey traffic laws, avoid speeding, and focus on driving if they appear distracted.
It is important to monitor the route on your phone. You can do this even if you are unfamiliar with the area. If your driver is moving away from the designated route, call 911. Do not bother with emergency services on the Uber app until after you contact the police directly. Lastly, be careful when getting out of the Uber. Be aware that a bicyclist or motorcyclist may be traveling down the road to your right or left. These groups, in particular, are known to ignore traffic rules. Thus, they pose a unique threat to you when exiting the ride.
The most common cause of Maryland Uber accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving takes many forms, among the most common being texting and driving. In our experience, distracted driving is the most pervasive behavior among Uber and taxi drivers. When drivers are texting and driving, their eyes are not on the road. This is a serious problem as their reaction times can be significantly delayed if they do not even see what they need to react to. When one drives for Uber, a few things happen. One, they are on the road far more than the average driver. This leads to highway hypnosis. This is also known as white-line fever.
Without getting into exactly why this happens or what it is, just understand that the longer a driver is on the road, the worse it is for those around him. Beyond driver fatigue, which we will get into later, Uber drivers have to contend with locating their passengers and fiddling with the app. It is clear why this would lead to accidents. If a driver is scanning for a passenger he has never met, he will likely take his eyes off the road because his new passenger is probably on the sidewalk. Unfortunately, this leads to carelessness and is a common cause of Maryland Uber accidents.
Speeding and reckless driving are often the result of the pressure drivers feel to complete as many rides as possible in a given time. Thus, while this is a common cause for a standard car accident, it is particularly common in Maryland Uber accidents. The faster the driver goes, the more Uber rides he completes. Passengers may even tip him more for completing their ride ahead of schedule. He will probably have more time to complete more rides than normal. However, speeding and reckless behavior come with pitfalls. If a driver is weaving through traffic, this introduces more instances where he is required to yield, which exposes him to potential liability. To make matters worse, a speeding Uber driver may disregard stop lights or stop signs. This can be a huge problem.
Stop signs exist for a reason. It is sometimes impossible to tell even when it does not seem like cars are coming in the other direction. Moreover, another car may think just like your driver and disregard the stop sign. Such behavior is especially dangerous in densely populated areas, where pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles share limited road space. Even speeding reduces a driver’s time to react. The faster a driver moves, the less time he has to stop before hitting the vehicle in front of him. Moreover, obstacles and hazards enter his sphere faster, requiring quicker reaction times.
Driver fatigue is a serious concern in the rideshare industry. Many Uber drivers work extended hours, sometimes across multiple jobs, to meet financial goals. While this is an admirable use of one’s time, it is dangerous for those on the road. The Federal Aviation Administration has strict guidelines on how many hours a pilot can work. While Uber does have similar rules, they are not nearly as strict. This leads to driver fatigue. What is the problem with driver fatigue?
A tired Uber driver is among the common causes of a Maryland Uber accident. A tired Uber driver may struggle to stay in their lane or misjudge the distance needed to stop at a red light, increasing the risk of accidents. These are all correlated with sleep deprivation. And, of course, sleep deprivation does not only affect Uber drivers but anyone on the road.
Within this category, we must include other drivers. If you are an Uber driver pulling over to the side of the road, you are likely well within your right to do so. However, you must also rely on other drivers to behave carefully. Unfortunately, passengers may ask you to leave the vehicle at bad moments. As the driver, you should be the one to tell them it is unsafe to do so. Of course, they can still get out more or less where they please. However, you must behave reasonably prudent, following the letter of the law. This means you cannot stop where you are not allowed to stop. Additionally, poorly chosen drop-off locations, such as busy intersections or dimly lit streets, increase the chances of accidents.
Remember, another driver may be to blame. So, if a driver pulls over to drop off or pick up passengers, this may include a sudden stop. Other drivers are obliged to control their vehicle and prevent a collision. So, if one vehicle rear-ends the Uber, that first vehicle’s driver is probably at fault.
If you are wondering who is responsible for your Maryland Uber accident or if you would like to learn more about the most common causes of Maryland Uber accidents so you can prevent them from occurring, call our office today at (202) 331-7227.
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