The Driver’s Boon and the Rider’s Bane: Exploring the Risks of the Mobility Gig Economy

*Collaborative Post

Some people are under the impression that the gig economy is a brainchild of the forward-looking Gen-Z. This is not the case because it has been around since the early 1900s. Around the time, musicians involved in live performances and other temporary work described their livelihood with the word ‘gig.’ 

A society where individuals at large from all walks of life could hold a gig came into existence after the financial crisis of 2009. Thanks to the proliferation of digital applications and technology, even mobility or transportation has become a part of the gig economy. 

Commonly known as ride-sharing services, drivers work on a gig basis to drop passengers through bookings made on a smartphone app. Two of the strongest players in this market are Uber and Lyft. The former occupies 26% of the market share, operating across 70 countries with a whopping 150 billion monthly users. 

Gigs in the mobility space are certainly a boon for those looking for a part-time job. However, the riders’ situation may be grim and precarious. In this article, we will discuss the risks of the mobility gig economy for riders, outcomes, and safety tips. 

The Exponential Growth of the Ride-Sharing Market 

The global market for ride-hailing services is a gargantuan one. It is currently growing at a rate of 20.3%, expected to become $280.91 billion by 2028. Since this industry is growing so rapidly, the demand for new drivers is steadily on the rise. 

Coming to the most popular ride-sharing platform, Uber, its history remains true to the start of the gig economy. Established in 2009, Uber climbed to ever-increasing ranks since 2011. As expected, people were initially hesitant to avail of ride-sharing services due to safety concerns. 

Today, the scenario is such that a ride-hailing service taxi is booked every few seconds. If you’ve entered such a vehicle only to find the driver’s notifications beeping constantly, you have had a bite of this statistic. 

A Service Rife with Benefits and Risks 

In the previous section, we just discussed how speedily the market for ride-hailing services is growing. One cannot ignore the fact that these services have changed how people look at transportation and that for the better. 

Ride-sharing services are convenient to book and for the most part, quite affordable. The journey can become a lot more reasonable if the rider chooses to have a carpooling setup. There is no need to stick to a fixed schedule since rides are available every few minutes. 

Despite such unmistakable benefits, ride-sharing may quickly turn into the rider’s bane. Let’s look at the most common risks faced every time one must choose an Uber or Lyft taxi. 

Auto Accidents 

Now, the risk of an accident is lurking the minute someone steps onto the roads. It may happen to a pedestrian, a bicyclist, a motorbike rider, or a car driver. Common as it may be, ride-sharing vehicles also carry the same danger. 

A gruesome incident occurred recently in the logistics hub of St. Louis, Missouri. A man was traveling in a Lyft taxi, driven by his driver, Crystal McAlpin. Two other cars in the vicinity approached at high speed, as high as 90 miles per hour. A crash became inevitable and the driver unfortunately lost their life. 

The rider, Harper, was in a coma for two months. Even after recovering from the coma, he is currently facing issues with his kidneys and liver. The question, “Why me?” is one that is natural and haunting. 

Thefts or Sexual Assaults 

Though this should not be the case, many people have reported thefts and sexual assaults perpetrated by an Uber or Lyft driver. For instance – in a recent case, a fake Uber driver overcharged an Amsterdam native for a short ride home. 

The rider discovered later that the driver was fake. He refused to pay the demanded 100 euros and fled into his apartment. What’s more shocking is that the driver followed the young man home, robbed him of his money, and took even the victim’s laptop and phone. 

He attempted to take the Playstation too but dropped it on the way. Similarly, women have reported being touched inappropriately or being sexually assaulted by their ride-sharing vehicle’s driver. 

The Rider’s Bane and Possible Recourse 

From the accident example we have previously discussed, it is clear that even the driver is not immune to at least one risk of the mobility gig economy. However, in most cases, it is the rider who must take the brunt. 

What if they are sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver? What if a similar accident occurs, even when the driver is not at fault? The good news is that there are certain legal provisions to support the rider. First, let’s assume the most straightforward scenario. 

Suppose the accident discussed in our example was the result of an oncoming driver. The victim would have been able to file a claim against the responsible party with the help of a St. Louis personal injury lawyer. Not only that but even a Lyft lawsuit could be filed to avail of the company’s insurance coverage. 

However, there’s a small catch. According to TorHoerman Law, the liability insurance depends on whether the driver is waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a rider, or to drop them off. Had the accident been the result of the Lyft driver’s fault, both the driver’s independent insurance coverage and the company’s liability insurance would come into play. 

In the actual scenario, the rider can file a claim against Lyft’s liability insurance. However, only a thorough investigation can help determine if a settlement would be made in the rider’s favor. As for a case of fraud or sexual assault, a separate sexual assault lawsuit can be filed against the driver and the company. 

Ways to Stay Safe 

For the gig economy to function well in the transportation sector, every participant needs to play their role. This means the Uber or Lyft driver must drive carefully, following all traffic rules and speeding regulations. They should also hold onto their integrity, bearing no thought of intentional harm to the rider. 

However, since we’re mainly focusing on the rider’s bane, let’s mention a few ways in which the same can stay safe while availing of ride-sharing services. 

• Going out only when the application notifies that the driver has arrived
• Having the driver confirm one’s name 
• Cross-checking the car and the driver with the picture and license plate number on the app 
• Always sitting in the backseat when traveling alone and wearing the seatbelt 
• Asking the driver to drive slowly if the speed seems unsettling 
• Immediately sharing the location with a family member or friend 
• Trusting one’s instincts if something feels off 
• Cutting the ride short if it is suspected that the driver is intoxicated or has questionable intentions 

To recapitulate, the gig economy has brought with it several benefits. It is not for nought that the market is expected to become $1864.16 billion by 2031. A significant share of it would be contributed by the revenue generated via ride-hailing services. However, all of this only makes sense when safety is at the forefront. 

Currently, it may seem like it’s all about the driver’s boon and the rider’s bane but the situation can be improved. The need of the hour is to prioritize the concerns mentioned in this article, not just surge pricing and the negative impacts of market competition. 

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.