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The importance of ride-ssharing companies encouraging safety

On Behalf of | Mar 16, 2019 | Car Accidents |

The development of ride-sharing apps in Texas has been nothing short of explosive and pretty much everyone is aware of what an Uber or Lyft is. While these innovative options for getting from place to place have benefited many people, they also pose a unique set of risks to people who accept their use and rely on a ride-sharing app to get them to their destination. 

While ride-sharing accidents do happen, it is critical that passengers understand the risks they are assuming and acknowledge what they can be doing to increase their safety. Likewise, ride-sharing companies should encourage their drivers to be vigilant and responsible when they are driving. According to Uber.com, drivers should be very aware of their surroundings and be watching intently for pedestrians including those who are riding bicycles. They should be extra cautious when approaching a stop and preparing to pull over, as well as when they are preparing to reenter traffic. Driving at night also poses a threat to a driver’s visibility and requires that he or she be paying extra attention to their surroundings. 

In a case that made national attention, an Arizona woman was killed when a self-driving Uber vehicle smashed into her while she was crossing a street. According to ktar.com, the car had been going nearly 40 mph and the vehicle’s operator was watching TV when the vehicle struck the victim. In a recent development in the case, the woman’s family has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the city of Tempe, Arizona alleging they failed to make the area of the street where the woman was hit more functional for pedestrians. Immediately after the accident, the governor of Arizona asked the ride-sharing entity to suspend any further tests of their self-driving vehicles in the state. 

If people have been hurt or killed because of someone else’s negligence, an attorney may be able to help. Victims and their families can rely on legal professionals to provide support and gather evidence while allowing them an opportunity to rest and focus their efforts on recovering from their accident.  

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