Rideshare Transparency and National Safety Trends
When it comes to safety reporting, the rideshare industry isn’t equally open. Uber releases an annual Safety Report with nationwide data, while Lyft has historically been more guarded, publishing fewer public statistics.
A 2021 study published in Injury Prevention by Morrison et al., supported by the CDC, sheds some light on the broader rideshare safety landscape. Researchers analyzed city-level trip data alongside injury crash reports, comparing the same locations and hours over different weeks. They found that every increase of 100 rideshare pickups in a given zone and hour was linked to a 4.6% higher likelihood of an injury crash. This pattern held true for both motorists and pedestrians, but not for cyclists.
Similar results appeared when studying drop-off data instead of pickups, indicating that rideshare traffic volume itself, not just where trips begin, can influence crash risk.
Rideshare Accident Laws in Washington and Oregon: What You Need to Know
How Insurance Works After a Rideshare Crash
Coverage depends entirely on the driver’s app status at the time of the collision:
- App OFF → Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
- App ON, no ride accepted → Limited company coverage:
- $50,000 per injured person
- $100,000 per crash
- $25,000 for property damage
- Ride accepted or passenger on board → Uber and Lyft’s $1 million liability policy becomes primary, covering drivers, passengers, and third parties.
Both companies also offer contingent collision/comprehensive coverage for drivers who already carry such coverage personally, but deductibles are steep: $1,000 for Uber and $2,500 for Lyft.
Passenger Rights After an Uber or Lyft Accident
If you’re injured while riding in a Lyft or Uber in Washington or Oregon:
- $1 Million Coverage During Active Rides → This applies from the moment your trip is accepted until you’re dropped off, no matter who caused the accident.
- Medical Expenses → You may also use your own health insurance or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) if you have it.
- If the Rideshare Driver Is at Fault → Uber/Lyft’s insurer pays up to the policy limit.
- If Another Driver Is at Fault → You can file against that driver’s insurance; if it’s insufficient, Uber/Lyft’s coverage can step in.
- Deadlines to File a Claim → Washington: 3 years from the accident; Oregon: generally 2 years.
After a Crash: Report it through the app, document injuries and damages, save all medical records, and speak to an attorney about compensation for pain, suffering, and lost income.
Driver Protections Under Washington Law
Since January 1, 2023, Washington’s HB 2076 has recognized Uber and Lyft drivers as workers, granting them important benefits:
- Workers’ compensation coverage
- Paid sick leave
- Minimum per-mile and per-minute pay
- Appeal rights if unfairly deactivated
These protections only apply while a driver is in dispatch platform time (waiting for or heading to pick up a passenger) or passenger platform time (while a rider is in the vehicle). Once a driver logs out of the app, these benefits no longer apply—they are legally treated as a private motorist.
When the Rideshare Company Could Be Liable
Uber or Lyft may share responsibility for a crash if:
- The driver was actively working or picking up a passenger at the time of the crash
- The company failed to properly vet the driver through background checks or training
- The platform ignored unsafe driving patterns
Their $1 million liability policy becomes primary as soon as the driver logs into the app. Depending on the crash, other parties could also be at fault—such as reckless motorists, auto manufacturers (for defective parts), or local governments (for dangerous road conditions).
Liability Insurance Requirements
- Washington → Requires $1 million in liability coverage during active rides (Revised Code of Washington, Title 46). Regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
- Oregon → Requires $1 million in liability coverage during active rides (Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 825).
When Rideshare Rides Get Messy: Vomit and Other Property Damage
Accidents inside a rideshare vehicle don’t always involve another car. Sometimes, they involve a passenger’s stomach. For Uber and Lyft drivers, dealing with a rider who gets sick in the car is more than just unpleasant—it can mean lost income while the vehicle is taken off the road for cleaning or repairs.
Both Uber and Lyft hold passengers financially responsible for certain types of mess or damage to the vehicle’s interior or exterior. This can include vomiting, food or drink spills, or other incidents that require cleaning beyond normal wear and tear.
Cleaning Fee Structure
Fees vary by severity and are paid directly to the driver:
- $0 → Minor mess that can be wiped up quickly (e.g., spilled water).
- $20 → Small interior mess requiring light cleaning or vacuuming (e.g., minor food or beverage spills, dirt).
- $40 → Moderate mess on the vehicle’s exterior (e.g., food or drink spills).
- $80 → Larger interior mess (e.g., big spills on fabric, minor bodily fluid incidents).
- $150 → Major clean-up involving bodily fluids in hard-to-reach areas (e.g., between door panels, inside air vents).
Pro Tip from Experienced Drivers: Always take photos of the mess immediately after it happens. Without photographic proof, the platform may deny the cleaning fee.
Damage Beyond Cleaning
If a passenger causes physical damage to the vehicle—scratches, broken equipment, or other harm—Uber and Lyft may also charge a damage fee. This helps cover repair costs, but as with cleaning fees, drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles to ensure passenger safety and comfort.
Sexual Assault Incidents in Rideshare Vehicles
While rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft market themselves as safe, convenient transportation options, high-profile cases have shown that passengers are sometimes vulnerable to serious crimes.
In Washington, a rideshare driver was recently charged with second-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping after allegedly assaulting an intoxicated passenger. According to court documents, the woman’s father tracked her phone and intervened during the attack, preventing further harm. Prosecutors initially requested a $100,000 bond, and the case drew strong reactions from the community. Ultimately, the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced it could not prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt after reviewing all available evidence, including dash-cam footage.
National Data: What Uber’s Safety Reports Reveal
Uber’s most recent U.S. Safety Report (2021–2022) documented 2,717 reports of sexual assault during trips nationwide. Court filings also show that between 2017 and 2022, Uber received 400,181 total reports of sexual assault and sexual misconduct in the U.S., far exceeding the previously disclosed figure of 12,522 serious sexual assaults for that period.
The scale of these allegations has legal consequences. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that over 1,600 sexual assault cases against Uber will proceed before a single federal judge in San Francisco, consolidating lawsuits from across the country. This centralized handling could influence future litigation strategies for rideshare safety cases.
Company Response and Transparency
Uber states that reports of serious sexual assault have declined by 44% in recent years and emphasizes that it was the first major rideshare company to publicly share this type of data. Despite this, Uber remains one of the few companies to publish such reports—Lyft has released limited safety data, making industry-wide comparisons difficult.
Recent Legal Actions Against Uber
- Fraud Lawsuit in California – Uber has filed a federal lawsuit against a group of well-known Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, alleging they submitted fraudulent claims in rideshare accident cases. The company claims these lawyers fabricated or exaggerated injury reports to secure inflated settlements, which Uber says amounts to systematic fraud against the platform.
- FTC Complaint Over Subscription Practices – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Uber of deceptive billing and cancellation practices for its “Uber One” subscription service. The agency alleges the company misled customers about potential savings, hid important details in hard-to-read text, enrolled users without proper consent, and made cancellations unreasonably difficult. The FTC says some consumers were even charged despite not having an Uber account.
Final Thoughts: Let us know if you need help
Every ride has its risks, no matter how short or routine it may seem. For both passengers and drivers, understanding the rules, knowing your rights, and staying aware of potential hazards can help keep everyone safer on the road.