The total number of accidents in New York City involving for-hire vehicles is rapidly rising. According to the New York Post, this big increase in accidents is caused by an increased use of ride-sharing apps.
As more people use ride-sharing apps to secure rides, there is a greater chance of crashes being caused by the many drivers who are trying to earn income in the transportation industry. Passengers in for-hire cars and others on the road are at risk, and should consult with New York City injury attorneys to understand their rights if and when accidents do happen.
More Ride-Sharing Accidents Are Occurring in New York City
According to the New York Post, the number of car accidents within New York City which involve for-hire vehicles has more than tripled in just a two-year period of time. In July of 2014, there were a reported 534 car accidents involving for-hire cars. In June of 2016, this number had climbed to 1,672.
The big jump in accidents is described by the Post as the “only major jump in numbers involving TLC-licensed automobiles during that same period.” For yellow taxis, by contrast, the number of cab drivers in crashes has actually declined. There were 1,168 accidents in yellow cabs in July of 2014; 1,118 accidents in yellow caps in July of 2015; and 1,054 in yellow cabs in July of 2016.
The number of accidents in ride-sharing services has risen, in large part, because there are significantly higher numbers of people using for-hire car services such as Uber and Lyft. The TLC has noted that the rise in crashes in for-hire cars is directly tracking with the increased use of these types of car services.
The accidents which have occurred involving for-hire cars have even included some fatalities. Since January of 2016, for example, there have been five deaths in black cars over the course of the year. There have been no fatalities in crashes involving yellow taxis during this time.
Of course, the simple fact that more people using these services — and less people using taxis — can help to explain why fatality and accident numbers are rising for car sharing services while incidents involving yellow cabs have declined. However, there may also be other issues as well.
Cab drivers argue that ride-sharing services are less safe because there is less regulation of the industry and fewer requirements placed on drivers. Other safety advocates argue that when drivers work for multiple companies, like both Uber and Lyft, they have their phones on all day in the car so they can get contacted when rides are needed. Phones and tablets used by car-share operators can be a major distraction behind the wheel.
Whatever the reason why crashes are going up, the rising number of incidents means it is more important than ever for collision victims to understand how to take legal action if they are hurt. At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, our attorneys can provide assistance in determining the appropriate steps to take after any crash, including those involving cars-for-hire.
