Which Is Safer: Uber or Lyft?

Ridesharing services have become an essential part of our daily lives. Companies like Uber and Lyft have transformed how we travel around the city. Thanks to these platforms, millions of people can now reach their destinations with just a tap of a button. However, as their popularity grows, so does the number of incidents, raising safety concerns among users. This has led many to ask which service is safer, Uber or Lyft.

Considering the accidents, assaults, and sexual abuses reported on these platforms in recent years, Adamson Ahdoot is here to answer all your questions about rideshare safety. In this blog, we’ll explore the key issues, review the latest statistics, compare safety policies, and analyze the coverage offered by Uber and Lyft, providing you with the information needed to choose the safer option.

If you’ve been injured while riding in a rideshare vehicle, contact Adamson Ahdoot today. Receive expert legal support from California’s most dedicated and experienced law firm. Call us at (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry online to learn more about your legal options.

Evaluating Passenger Safety: Which Rideshare Company Has More Incidents?

Before examining the safety policies and data reported by ridesharing platforms, it’s important to understand how the industry has evolved. Since Uber debuted in 2009 and Lyft entered the market in 2012, both companies have offered affordable alternatives to traditional transportation methods like taxis, transforming urban mobility across the United States.

As the popularity of rideshare services grew, more people began relying on Uber or Lyft for their daily commutes. According to CivicScience data from January 2025, 34% of U.S. adults reported using Uber, compared to 21% who used Lyft. This difference is largely attributed to Uber offering more competitive pricing across 33 states.

Yet, safety remains a key concern. Both companies have faced criticism over working conditions and the limited protections available to both drivers and passengers. In recent years, a growing number of reports and investigations have uncovered troubling statistics involving crashes, assaults, and incidents of sexual misconduct.

A Closer Look at Uber and Lyft Safety Statistics

According to Uber’s most recent U.S. Safety Report for 2021–2022, the platform completed approximately 1.8 billion rides. During that period, 153 traffic-related fatalities were reported—a 51% increase from the 101 deaths recorded in the 2019–2020 report. While Uber does not disclose the total number of crashes, the spike in fatal incidents is significant. Nevertheless, the company maintains that more than 99.9% of trips were completed without serious safety incidents.

Regarding sexual misconduct, Uber reported 2,717 cases of sexual assault. This represents a 32% decrease from the nearly 4,000 incidents reported in the previous reporting period. Of these cases, 68% involved drivers as the alleged perpetrators, while 31% involved passengers.

Tragically, fatal physical assaults nearly doubled, rising from 18 in the previous report to 36 during the 2021–2022 period.

Lyft, on the other hand, reported an overall incident rate of just 0.0002% for serious safety incidents. According to its 2024 Safety Transparency Report—covering January 2020 to December 2022—Lyft provided roughly 1.41 billion rides. During that period, there were 50 traffic-related fatalities, representing a 28% increase from the 39 deaths reported between 2017 and 2019.

Sexual assault reports on the Lyft platform also declined by 21%, dropping from 3,368 in the previous reporting period to 2,651. However, the report does not clarify whether drivers or passengers were more commonly responsible for these incidents.

Fatal physical assaults inside Lyft vehicles rose slightly as well, increasing from 19 to 23.

Lyft and Uber Safety Policies

After reviewing the safety statistics, the next natural question is what steps Uber and Lyft are taking to protect riders and drivers. Over the years, both companies have introduced a range of policies and safety features aimed at minimizing risks. While their goals are similar, their approaches differ slightly.

For starters, both Uber and Lyft conduct thorough background checks on all drivers. These screenings include criminal history reviews and are updated periodically to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards. Both companies also provide training programs designed to encourage safe and responsible driving behavior.

From a technological standpoint, the two platforms offer many of the same core safety features. Riders can share their trip status in real time with trusted contacts, and both apps include an in-app emergency button that connects users directly to 911 or local law enforcement in case of an emergency.

Regarding impaired driving, both companies maintain strict zero-tolerance policies for alcohol and drug use. Any driver suspected—or confirmed—to be under the influence can face immediate suspension or removal from the platform.

Lyft is often noted for its user-facing safety tools, including frequent in-app safety prompts and visible ride monitoring features. By contrast, Uber has focused heavily on backend safety technology, including automated crash detection and streamlined incident reporting systems.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies: What Coverage Is Provided in Case of an Accident?

Both Uber and Lyft offer insurance policies designed to protect drivers, passengers, and third parties in the event of an accident. These policies vary depending on the phase of the ride and typically supplement the driver’s personal auto insurance. The amount and type of coverage depend on the circumstances of the incident and the ride’s status at the time of the crash.

Uber Insurance Coverage:

App On (No Passenger Yet. Waiting for or Looking for a Ride): During this phase, Uber provides third-party liability coverage, typically up to $50,000 for bodily injury per person, up to $100,000 for an accident, and up to $25,000 for property damage. This coverage applies if the driver is at fault and injures a third party or damages their property.

En Route to Pickup and Throughout the Trip: Coverage increases significantly, providing up to $1 million in liability insurance per accident. This policy also includes:

• Personal injury protection for both the driver and passengers.
• Coverage for property damage to third parties.
• Protection for damage to the driver’s vehicle, subject to a deductible.

Passenger Coverage: Riders are protected from the moment the driver accepts the request until the ride is completed. Coverage includes medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related compensation.

Lyft Insurance Coverage:

App On (No Passenger Yet. Standby or Searching for a Ride): During this stage, Lyft provides basic liability insurance that covers approximately $50,000 per person for bodily injury to protect third parties. The limits are $100,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage.

En Route to Pickup and Throughout the Trip: Lyft provides coverage of up to $1 million per accident. This policy also includes:

• Coverage for damage to the driver’s vehicle.
• Personal injury protection for both the passengers and the driver.
• Protection for damage to third parties.

Passenger Coverage: Similar to Uber, Lyft offers insurance that protects passengers from personal injuries sustained during the ride. This insurance ensures that passengers receive medical care and compensation in the event of an accident.

So, Which Rideshare Service Is Safer: Uber or Lyft?

After reviewing the data, policies, and insurance coverage of both platforms, it’s clear that neither definitively outperforms the other in terms of safety. Both Uber and Lyft have strong points, including thorough driver verification processes, advanced safety technologies for passengers and drivers, and comprehensive insurance protections. However, there are areas that need improvement, particularly in preventing serious incidents. Although these events are relatively rare, rideshare users always face some level of risk. Therefore, it is crucial that both companies continue to enhance their safety policies and implement effective preventive measures.

Based strictly on official statistics, Lyft generally reports fewer serious incidents and demonstrates greater transparency in its oversight processes. Its lower number of assaults and fatal traffic accidents compared to Uber tends to inspire more confidence among users.

On the other hand, Uber records slightly higher incident rates, but this is partly due to its larger volume of rides. Nevertheless, the 32% decrease in sexual assault cases compared to the previous reporting period underscores Uber’s significant progress in strengthening safety measures.

Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today

Although no one expects to be involved in a ridesharing accident, being informed and knowing how to respond can help minimize its impact. Understanding your rights and taking basic precautions is the first step toward safer rides.

If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, the attorneys at Adamson Ahdoot are here to support you. We understand how difficult this situation can be and are committed to providing the guidance you need.

Contact one of our rideshare accident experts today for the legal assistance you deserve. Call us at (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online for a free evaluation.