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College students in ridesharing accidents

On Behalf of | Jun 26, 2019 | Personal Injury |

Ridesharing services, such as UBER or Lyft, are a boon to students. Many young people no longer need to depend on owning a vehicle.

Ridesharing services and traffic fatalities

Authorities have already noted more than 30 traffic accident deaths in Corpus Christi in 2019. The Corpus Christi police department has launched initiatives designed to increase travel safety. Ridesharing services contribute to an increase in accidents across the country.

University of Chicago researchers, in a well-designed study published in 2018, found that ridesharing services increase traffic deaths. From 2011 to 2018, there is a direct correlation between the increase in ridesharing services and a 2% to 3% increase in motor vehicle crash fatalities.

Students may be especially vulnerable

Convenience and affordable pricing are factors in the growth of ridesharing popularity among college students. In April, 2019, a young college student was celebrating her 23rd birthday. She climbed into an Uber with two other riders after midnight to go home. The Uber vehicle burst into flames when a driver rear-ended the car on the Stevenson Expressway. Two passengers and the Uber driver were able to escape, but the young girl was unable to open her door. She did not survive.

Steps to take after a ridesharing accident

A passenger in a ridesharing accident should take these steps:

  • Call an ambulance for treatment of any injuries; ride with medics to the nearest hospital
  • Notify the police of the accident location; ask them to make a formal crash report
  • Gather detailed information from every person involved in the accident
  • Take accident pictures from several angles; include any debris on the ground
  • Get pictures of the vehicles’ license plate numbers, if possible

It is very important for those in an accident not to say anything at all to an insurance adjuster, and never answer any questions. The rideshare passengers should instruct accident investigators or insurance adjusters they have retained attorneys to answer any questions.