Many people know just how dangerous it is to drive after consuming alcohol. To avoid doing so, they will often use a ride-share service, such as Uber or Lyft, after a night on the town. While those intentions are admirable, some experts question whether ride-sharing actually leads to fewer car crashes. A recent study here in New York found that ride-sharing services might actually be the reason for a rise in the number of motor vehicle accidents.
The study was conducted by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Researchers looked at ride-share data from 2017 and 2018 in New York City, adding up to almost 373 million rides. That data was compared with crash data involving taxis. What the researchers found was that ride-share services actually may increase the number of crashes that injure both pedestrians and motorists, particularly in locations where riders are dropped off or picked up.
Though the researchers don’t have scientific proof about why this increase occurred, they have two theories. They speculate that both drivers and pedestrians may be distracted by mobile devices they’re using to interact with the ride-share service in the first place. Another possibility is that the drivers may not have as much experience driving in a place like New York City with increased traffic. The researchers say that if more places would utilize specified pickup and drop-off locations, it could curb the number of accidents.
Even with this research and good advice, motor vehicle accidents involving ride-share services will still occur. No matter the circumstance, an injured party may want to pursue a personal injury claim against anyone responsible for the crash. Here in New York, an attorney who handles this type of civil litigation can be a fierce advocate for justice.