Every day, more than one million people use their smartphones to utilize the ridesharing service Uber to get them from where they are to where they want to go. Uber is just one of several similar app-based services that connects those needing a ride to private drivers willing to pick up passengers and take them to their destinations. While the term “ridesharing” may be a bit of misnomer—since the drivers were not already going to the destination and simply had an extra seat—there is no questioning the convenience and the popularity of such services. But, what happens if you are injured in an accident while riding with Uber? Does the company offer any protections?

A Complicated Situation

From the time you accept a ride with Uber until you get out of the vehicle upon reaching your final destination, your Uber driver is covered by Uber’s $1 million insurance policy. This insurance policy covers the driver's liability to riders and takes precedence over any personal auto coverage that they may have. Uber drivers are independent contractors—a reality which may affect the outcome of compensation that you can receive if an accident occurs and you are injured. However, you as the passenger are also covered under Uber’s liability coverage policy.

Drunk driving is a serious and pervasive issue in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 28 people are killed in drunk driving accidents per day. That is approximately one death every 53 minutes. Thousands more are seriously or permanently injured by a drunk driver. Ridesharing programs claim to have made an impact – but have they really? Or are they simply contributing to more accidents?

Studies on Rideshares and DUIs Have Mixed Results

While a few studies on the potential benefits (or lack of benefits) of rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft have been done, they continue to come up with mixed results. Some indicate that rideshare programs have not had an impact on the number of drunk driving accidents. These studies posture that it is only those who might have otherwise taken a taxi or bus that are using the popular non-driving option – not those that would have otherwise driven intoxicated. Others have determined that drunk driving accidents – particularly nighttime accidents – have declined since the conception of rideshare programs.