People driving their own vehicles for personal reasons have always had to share the road with professionals. Semi-trucks, buses and a host of other commercial vehicles use the same roads as passenger vehicles.
Larger cities have long had fleets of taxis on the road. Now they also have to share space with rideshare drivers. Unlike taxis, which are proprietary fleet vehicles with special markings, rideshare vehicles more or less blend in with the rest of traffic. Rideshare professionals operate their personal vehicles for on-demand transportation for individuals and small groups.
There are also many people who use their personal vehicles as delivery vehicles for groceries, prepared meals and other items. Those delivery vehicles all over the road can increase the risk of preventable crashes.
Unsafe parking
Those operating commercial vehicles for large businesses and those trying to make a hot food delivery at a busy apartment complex might park in an illegal location. While state laws limit where and how people park on actual roads, those trying to make a speedy delivery may feel like they can break the law with minimal consequences. Unsafe parking practices can lead to people striking the stopped vehicle or causing crashes with other vehicles in an attempt to avoid the parked delivery vehicle.
Aggressive maneuvering
Rideshare drivers and delivery professionals often have very strict daily schedules. When weather, unrelated collisions or traffic jams interfere with a delivery person’s schedule, they may try to make up for lost time by taking shortcuts or driving aggressively. Aggressive driving can lead to a delivery or rideshare driver losing control of their vehicle and causing a crash. They could also cause secondary collisions as other people swerve or hit the brakes to avoid their unpredictable maneuvers.
Fatigue and distraction
Relying on software to navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods may leave delivery or rideshare drivers glancing down at their mobile phones or similar devices repeatedly throughout their time on the road. Fatigue can be similarly dangerous. Particularly when people moonlight as drivers after working a full shift elsewhere, they may be too tired to safely operate a motor vehicle. They could cause preventable crashes because they are so exhausted. Fatigue increases reaction time and decreases overall driving capabilities.
Compensation claims after car crashes involving delivery or rideshare vehicles tend to be far more complicated. People pursuing litigation and commercial insurance compensation may need help getting the financial support they deserve after a car wreck, and that’s okay.