Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way to get where you need to go on your schedule. However, that doesn’t guarantee a safe ride. A recent study published in the Journal of Safety Research found that one in three rideshare drivers reported having a car crash on the job.
Here are some of the most common injuries in rideshare accidents and how to fight for your passenger rights.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash commonly occurs in rear-end car accidents and is caused by a sudden impact that forces the neck into a back-and-forth motion. This violent movement damages the tissues and muscles in the neck, causing painful symptoms like:
- Stiff neck
- Limited range of motion
- Headaches
- Pain in the shoulders and upper back
- Tingling in the arms or hands
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
It’s also important to note that some neck injuries can worsen over time, especially when untreated. In other cases, symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after an accident. So, seeing a doctor is essential after an Uber or Lyft accident, even if you think you’re not hurt badly.
Back and Spinal Injuries
Any injury to the spine or spinal cord could have serious consequences, including pain, paralysis, or death. Spine and back injuries often result from rear-end collisions, side impacts, or rollovers.
The soft tissue and muscles of the back can also be injured during an accident caused by a rideshare driver. A herniated disc or muscle strain can cause limb weakness, burning or stinging pain, and referred pain throughout the body.
Head Injuries
Did you know that passengers are just as vulnerable to severe head injury as drivers? A recent study found that back-seat passengers had a higher rate of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) than front-seat passengers.
TBIs can happen with a sudden blow to the head and may have several physical and cognitive symptoms, such as:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
Bone Fractures and Soft Tissue Injuries
In an accident, the skeletal system absorbs much of the impact. This can cause breaks or fractures in the bone. Arms, legs, or ribs may fracture during a crash if braced against a surface, such as if passengers attempt to shield themselves with their arms.
Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains, tend to happen when muscles, ligaments, and tendons rapidly stretch or compress. If the glass shatters, passengers could suffer soft tissue injuries like contusions or lacerations.
Psychological Impact
Rideshare accidents can be a traumatic experience, even if you weren’t the one driving. After an accident, the physical pain is often immediate and apparent, but the psychological consequences can be more challenging to recognize.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it is expected to experience numbness or shock. Some common forms of psychological impact in a rideshare accident are:
- Fear
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Intrusive thoughts
- Nightmares
- Depression
- Guilt
- Avoidance behaviors
Contact Our Durham Rideshare Accident Lawyers for Help
North Carolina law can be complex, especially regarding rideshare crashes. You may have the right to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in North Carolina, choose Kreger Brodish LLP. We give you more than a rideshare accident lawyer—you get a team of trial attorneys who will fight for you.
Contact us today for your free consultation with a Durham personal injury lawyer.
