Some Uber and Lyft drivers have reported that the vast majority of passengers in the car never put on a seatbelt when riding in the back seat of these ride sharing vehicles. The consequences of not wearing a seat belt when you are in the back of a taxi or ride hailing vehicle can be fatal.
For example, a recent Oregon accident involved a ride sharing passenger who was ejected through the windshield because he was not wearing a seatbelt. There has been very little progress made at the state level when it comes to rear seatbelt laws. In fact, there are 20 states that do not require rear seat adult passengers to buckle up in the car.
Eight states considered these laws in 2019 but only one state, Alabama, passed the laws. Public comments were recently collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as the agency is expected to pass down further details about whether or not warning systems should be required for rear seatbelts.
In the short term, however, social media campaigns have been instrumental in helping to make people aware of the risks of not wearing a seatbelt in the back of an Uber, Lyft or a taxi.
If you have recently been hurt in an accident with an Uber or a Lyft driver, a consultation with a San Francisco car accident lawyer can help you to understand your responsibilities and rights.