The next time you request a ride from your Uber or Lyft app, here are some important questions to ask yourself. Is the vehicle you’re about to enter on a safety recall list? If so, has the adequate repair work been done?
According to several reports, about an average of one and three for-hire cars throughout the U.S. whose vehicle identification number (VIN) had at least one outstanding recall. Some of those recalls were issued five or more years ago, such as Toyota accelerator recalls, Takata airbag inflator recalls, and other serious issues.
It is important to understand that neither ridesharing companies require drivers to ensure that their cars are current with recall work. Uber only provides resources to their driver-partners and encourage them to check for recall and perform routine scheduled maintenance. Lyft states that drivers have a “strong personal incentive” to ensure that their vehicle is in safe operating condition.
What Can Riders Do?
A high number of for-hire vehicles face recalls for serious issues. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has estimated the total number of vehicles recalled in 2015 is 51 million.
If you’re getting into an Uber or Lyft vehicle, there is not much you can do right away except practice proper safety techniques – sit in the back seat, buckle your seat belt, and pay attention to what your driver is doing. Other than that, consumers can ask local officials to establish regulations to make sure that recall work is done in a timely manner by vehicle owners and use this opportunity to check to see if their own vehicles have any outstanding recalls.
Can Ridesharing Companies Be Held Liable for Accidents Involving Recalled Vehicles?
The fact that Uber and Lyft aggressively market themselves as safe companies reinforces the need for them to forbid unfixed recalled vehicles from taking to the streets. In the event of an accident, victims can make a strong case that the ridesharing companies were fraudulent and negligent – since they are not doing anything proactive to protect riders from the dangers of recalled vehicles.
If you suffered an injury in a car accident caused by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver or a recalled vehicle used by a rideshare driver, contact Belushin Law Firm and request a free consultation with our New York City personal injury attorneys today.