Andrew L. Shapiro | March 28, 2025 | Car Accidents
Uber and its fellow ridesharing services are immensely popular throughout the country. Customers enjoy knowing that they can quickly get a ride no matter where they are and for rates that are typically more affordable than traditional taxi fares. A concern that many riders share, however, is whether Uber is actually safer than a taxi service.
Are you more likely to get into an Uber accident or taxi accident? And do both of these options take the same steps to keep their customers safe? Learn more about what these two choices offer below.
Uber Vs. Taxis: Understanding the Risks
There are some significant differences to consider when deciding between taking an Uber or a taxi.
These involve the following:
Background Checks and Interviews
For an individual to become a taxi driver, they must go through extensive background checks that monitor whether they have any criminal records or serious health issues that could make them a danger to others. They must also participate in a series of interviews to ensure that any problems that could make them problematic to others are caught.
Uber and other rideshare companies perform similar background checks, but they don’t go through such an extensive interview process. That, in turn, could allow potentially dangerous behaviors, like substance misuse, to go unnoticed.
Vehicle Maintenance
There are many cases in which car accidents are not due to driver error but instead to malfunctioning vehicles. Taxi companies ensure that all of the cars are checked regularly and undergo the maintenance they need in a timely manner.
Uber drivers, on the other hand, use their own vehicles, so it’s up to them to perform any necessary maintenance. There’s no guarantee that their car is road-worthy at any given moment, which puts you at risk.
Steps to Ensure Customer Safety
In 2020 alone, Uber reported 998 sexual assault incidents and 141 rapes in their safety report. One of the biggest reasons why these attacks are more frequent in ridesharing services is that there is no real oversight; you could suffer catastrophic injuries in an assault, and there could be no record of it besides your own report.
That’s not the case with taxis. Taxi companies install cameras in their vehicles to protect riders and drivers alike. If any issues arise, there will be video evidence of it. That not only means assaults are less likely to occur but also that any driver behaviors that could put others at risk are monitored. And that cuts down on distracted driving.
Road Monitoring
Another difference between taxis and Uber is that taxi companies monitor road conditions to help their drivers provide better and safer services. Because Uber drivers are independent contractors, it’s up to them to know what the conditions are like in their area.
Filing a Claim After an Uber Accident
If you end up injured in an accident involving a ridesharing service like Uber, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation. Whether you were a passenger or driving another vehicle, you may have the chance to file against the driver and even Uber itself.
If the driver was performing duties for Uber (that is, picking up passengers or driving them to their destinations) and did anything to cause a collision, Uber could face vicarious liability claims. This legal theory holds a party responsible for the actions of their agents. To make certain whether that sort of claim is an option you can pursue, hiring a lawyer is vital.
Working With an Uber Accident Lawyer
After suffering injuries in an accident involving either an Uber ride or a traditional taxi ride, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you determine what your legal options may be. With experienced representation, you can focus on healing from your injuries while knowing that your claim is moving forward.
Contact the Encino Car Accident Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Please contact the experienced car accident lawyers at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.
Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436
