The Rise of Rideshare Accidents (Uber, Lyft) in Rochester

Why Rideshare Safety Now Demands Attention

App-based rideshare services like Uber and Lyft changed how people move around Rochester. They’re fast, accessible, and often cheaper than traditional taxis. From late-night pickups on Park Avenue to early morning drop-offs near the University of Rochester Medical Center, these services are everywhere. But with that rise in convenience has come something more troubling: a steady increase in crashes involving rideshare vehicles.

Every week, more people across Monroe County find themselves caught up in these accidents. Some are passengers. Others are pedestrians or cyclists. Many don’t know what steps to take after a crash or even who’s responsible. That’s where we come in. At Horn Wright, LLP, our car accident attorneys help people throughout Rochester figure out their legal options after an Uber or Lyft accident. 

Rideshare Accidents Are Increasing in Rochester

Over the past few years, Uber and Lyft have become a go-to choice for thousands of Rochester residents. Whether you’re heading to a show at Kodak Hall or grabbing a bite in the South Wedge, you’ll probably see a line of rideshare vehicles circling for pickups. That’s part of the problem.

More rideshare drivers on the road means more chances for collisions. According to Monroe County crash data, traffic incidents involving app-based drivers have steadily increased. This trend reflects not just higher usage, but also more time spent by drivers navigating complex intersections and dense urban streets.

The busiest areas, like downtown Rochester, East Avenue, and Monroe Avenue, see a high concentration of Uber and Lyft activity. These zones also report more fender benders, side swipes, and pedestrian-related accidents.

Local officials have begun tracking these patterns more closely. While they work on long-term solutions, Rochester residents are left to deal with the short-term impact: injuries, medical bills, and confusing insurance claims.

What’s Causing the Spike in Uber and Lyft Crashes?

Several specific factors drive this local increase. Many Uber and Lyft drivers rely heavily on GPS, especially those unfamiliar with Rochester’s road layout. Areas like the Inner Loop, with its sudden exits and fast merges, leave little room for hesitation. In busy zones near Rochester General or Strong Memorial Hospital, drivers often stop abruptly or slow down to confirm passenger locations.

And that’s not all. Consider these common contributors:

• Drivers working long hours without adequate rest
• Pressure from the app to meet short pickup windows
• Lane changes or turns made while distracted by navigation prompts
• Unfamiliarity with one-way streets downtown
• Passengers requesting unsafe pickup or drop-off spots

All of this adds up to a situation where mistakes happen more often. It only takes a split-second decision, or the lack of one, for a serious accident to unfold.

Who’s Liable After a Rideshare Crash in Monroe County?

Responsibility in an Uber or Lyft accident isn’t always clear. Traditional car crashes usually involve one driver’s personal insurance. Rideshare crashes add a whole other layer.

If the rideshare driver had the app off when the crash happened, their personal insurance applies. But if the app was on, and especially if a ride was active, Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy kicks in. These policies can cover up to $1 million in damages, but that doesn’t mean accessing them is easy.

We often speak with crash victims who don’t know where to start. Was the driver officially on duty? Did another car cause the crash? What happens if multiple people were injured? These are real questions, and the answers often depend on split-second details.

In Monroe County, law enforcement will document the scene, but they don’t always determine who pays. That falls to the insurance companies, who might drag their feet or argue over liability. If you’re stuck between two providers pointing fingers, you’re not alone. It happens often in rideshare-related claims.

Rideshare Drivers Face Heavy Risks Too

Many Uber and Lyft drivers in Rochester work long shifts to make ends meet. That means more hours on the road and a higher chance of encountering distracted drivers, road hazards, or weather-related dangers. When a crash happens, they often feel trapped between corporate policies and confusing insurance claims.

If the other driver was at fault, rideshare drivers may still have to wait weeks, or longer, for a resolution. And if passengers were injured, the driver may face claims even when they weren’t responsible. We’ve seen drivers in Monroe County who needed medical treatment but couldn’t access coverage without legal pressure.

Hotspots like West Main Street, Jefferson Road, and Ridge Road in Irondequoit pose particular risks due to heavy congestion, quick lane shifts, and merging traffic.

Injured as a Rideshare Passenger? Know What to Do

If you’ve been hurt while riding in an Uber or Lyft in Rochester, the steps you take immediately after matter. Many passengers assume the driver or app will handle everything, but that rarely happens without follow-up.

Here’s what you should do:

• Get the driver’s name and take a screenshot of the ride details
• Note the license plate and location where the crash happened
• Seek medical care, even for mild pain (go to Highland Hospital or Strong Memorial)
• Report the incident through the app
• Take photos of the scene if it’s safe to do so

Most passengers don’t realize they’re covered by Uber or Lyft’s $1 million liability policy. However, these companies don’t always offer that information upfront. You’ll often need to ask, and sometimes push, for that protection to kick in.

Pedestrians and Cyclists Are at Risk Too

In Rochester’s urban core, more residents bike or walk to work, school, or local businesses. That creates additional risk when rideshare drivers make quick stops or sudden U-turns. It’s not unusual to see an Uber stop mid-block on East Avenue or a Lyft veer across traffic to pick someone up on Alexander Street.

These quick decisions can lead to serious harm. Pedestrians might be stepping off the curb. A cyclist may be passing on the right. And in poor weather or low lighting, those hazards increase.

Unfortunately, many pedestrians and cyclists struck by rideshare vehicles don’t realize they can file a claim. They may think they’re not protected because they weren’t in the car. But in Monroe County, victims have legal rights regardless of where they were standing, or riding, when the crash occurred.

How Rochester and New York State Respond Legally

New York State has created specific rules for rideshare services. Since 2017, the state has required Uber and Lyft to carry liability coverage and follow state-level background checks. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles also tracks rideshare crashes separately from regular collisions.

Locally, Monroe County law enforcement includes crash details in reports, but those details often don’t clarify who pays. And while the state outlines policy minimums, interpreting those policies is another matter.

We’ve seen clients face delays simply because insurance adjusters don’t understand how New York State’s rideshare rules apply in practice. Each case ends up depending on the circumstances, and how much pressure someone applies to get answers.

Why These Cases Get Complicated Fast

A rideshare accident might seem simple on the surface: a driver made a mistake, someone got hurt, insurance should pay. But that’s rarely how it plays out in real life.

Many Rochester residents discover that:

• Multiple insurance companies shift blame back and forth
• Driver and passenger accounts don’t match
• Delays stretch on without updates
• Uber or Lyft denies involvement, citing independent contractor status
• Medical bills stack up while you wait for approval

Each of these factors adds time, stress, and confusion. And if you’re recovering from injuries or missing work, the pressure builds quickly. That’s why having someone who knows the system, and can fight for your claim, can make a difference.

Final Takeaway: Stay Informed, Stay Protected on Rochester Roads

Rideshare services bring a lot of value to Rochester. But with that convenience comes added risk for passengers, pedestrians, and even drivers. If you’ve been involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Monroe County, don’t guess your way through the process. The rules are layered, the claims take time, and your health matters too much to leave anything to chance. 

Horn Wright, LLP, is here to help you understand your rights and take the right next step forward.