Rideshare drivers face unique distraction risks from the very apps that power their work. Checking for ride requests, following navigation, and communicating with passengers creates constant attention demands that contribute to accidents.
The Rideshare Distraction Problem
Unlike typical drivers, rideshare operators constantly interact with their smartphones while driving:
App monitoring: Drivers check for ride requests, potentially taking eyes off the road to see incoming opportunities.
Navigation use: Following turn-by-turn directions to unfamiliar destinations requires visual attention to the screen.
Passenger communication: Reading and responding to passenger messages about pickup locations or special requests.
Rating and payment: Completing rides requires app interaction, sometimes while still operating the vehicle.
Proving Distracted Driving
Establishing that distraction caused an accident requires evidence:
Cell phone records showing app activity, calls, or texts at the time of the crash.
App data from Uber or Lyft indicating what the driver was doing on the platform when the accident occurred.
Witness testimony about seeing the driver looking at their phone.
Crash reconstruction showing the driver failed to brake, swerve, or take evasive action consistent with an attentive driver.
Dashcam or surveillance footage capturing the driver's attention on a screen.
Claims Against Rideshare Companies
Distraction-related accidents may support claims against Uber or Lyft directly:
App design negligence: If the app's interface requires excessive attention or encourages unsafe interaction while driving.
Failure to implement safety features: Claims that the company should prevent app use while the vehicle is in motion or implement other distraction-reducing measures.
Economic pressure claims: Arguments that the company's compensation structure and rating systems encourage drivers to monitor apps constantly rather than focusing on driving.
Comparative Negligence Considerations
In distracted driving cases, defendants may argue:
The plaintiff was also distracted or contributed to the accident
The driver's app use was reasonable and necessary for the job
Other factors caused the crash regardless of distraction
An experienced attorney can counter these defenses with evidence and expert testimony.
Maximizing Your Claim
To strengthen a distracted driving claim:
Preserve evidence quickly: Phone records and app data can be deleted or overwritten.
Request all app data through legal discovery to show exactly what the driver was doing.
Work with accident reconstruction experts who can establish whether an attentive driver would have avoided the crash.
Document distraction indicators like failure to brake, no skid marks, or the driver's own admissions about app use.