Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | February 25, 2025 | Uber Accidents

Is Uber Safer Than Taxis?

If you do not have a private car but prefer to forgo public transportation when you can, you have two options: Either take a taxi or use a rideshare service like Uber. 

Safety is bound to come to mind when deciding which option to choose. Whether yellow cabs or rideshares are the riskier option could ultimately encourage you to choose one over the other. Here’s what you need to know.

Similarities Between Taxi Companies And Rideshares

Taxis and Uber rides are transportation options available to individuals in Las Vegas who do not want to drive or make use of public transportation. For a fare, both taxi and rideshare drivers can take you to your destination. If you are involved in a crash along the way in either case, your driver’s insurance will typically cover your claim up to the policy’s limits.

Taxis Vs. Uber: Key Differences

The above similarities notwithstanding, there are several crucial differences between taxis and rideshare companies like Uber. The following qualities apply specifically to taxicab drivers:

  • They are employees of their particular taxi company
  • They have permits issued by the Taxicab Authority
  • They have cleared background checks and are subject to regular screening
  • They drive vehicles owned and maintained by the taxi company
  • They are in consistent contact with a dispatcher
  • They have insurance coverage through the taxicab company

On the other hand, the following apply to rideshare drivers:

  • They are independent contractors
  • They possess standard drivers’ licenses
  • They submit to a driving history and criminal background checks
  • They drive vehicles they personally maintain
  • They use an app that contains a “panic button” in the event an emergency arises
  • They have insurance coverage through the rideshare company

These differences may seem subtle, but they are important to recognize and remember. The primary difference between the two transportation options is that a taxi service will exercise greater control over its drivers than either Uber or Lyft.

Which Is Safer, Taxis Or Uber?

In 2022, 153 fatal accidents involving Uber drivers occurred throughout the United States. Approximately 39 percent of these accidents were caused by a driver exceeding the speed limit, and in seven percent of these cases, the Uber driver was primarily responsible for the deadly collision. 

Nevada, in particular, saw 384 fatal crashes in 2022 that claimed the lives of over 400 people. Of these accidents, 235 took place in Clark County, which is home to Las Vegas. Statistics are not available to indicate how many of these accidents (if any at all) involved a taxi driver.

Is Uber Or Lyft Safer?

Between Uber and Lyft, fewer people died in motor vehicle crashes using Lyft than Uber. In 2022, Lyft reported 50 deaths. However, no available data indicates how many of these fatalities were directly due to the actions of the Lyft driver, though. 

That crucial missing evidence makes it challenging to give a definitive answer as to whether Uber or Lyft has safer drivers. If a similar number of Lyft drivers caused fatal wrecks as Uber drivers, then Lyft drivers would be responsible for fewer fatal wrecks than Uber drivers.

Uber Or Taxi? The Final Verdict

Safety encompasses numerous factors, and it can be misleading to simply say that the transportation method with the fewest deaths is safer. 

While rideshare services In Las Vegas do perform checks on their drivers, taxicab drivers are more closely monitored by the state of Nevada as well as their employers. That supervision may reduce the chance of reckless drivers continuing to take fares.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option and reach a decision that resonates with the circumstances and factors that are most meaningful to you.

For more information, please contact our Las Vegas Uber accident attorneys at Cogburn Davidson Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve Clark County and throughout Nevada:

Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
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(702) 996-4786
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