April 4, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you remember the era before Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies, you understand that these companies make getting around much simpler than it used to be. And unless you’re in a very dense urban area, getting on your phone and ordering an Uber is faster and easier than calling a cab.
Uber might be more convenient than taking a taxi — but is it safer? That depends on your definition of “safety.” Here’s a closer look.
Safety From Physical and Sexual Assault
Sexual and physical assaults can happen in Ubers and taxis. Here are a few criteria to consider when evaluating which is safer:
Physical/Sexual Assault Data
Collecting data on passenger physical and sexual assault can be challenging. Rideshare companies and taxi companies aren’t obligated to share this information, although many collect it.
Because of growing concern over assaults in rideshare vehicles, the U.S. Government Accountability Office conducted a study (released in 2024) comparing assaults in rideshare vehicles to those in taxis.
The study ran into challenges because of available data. The year 2019 was the only one where the three largest rideshare companies (including Uber) reported assault data, but there were approximately 4,600 instances of the “most serious” kinds of sexual assault nationwide.
Researchers consulted with representatives of several taxi companies. They said that while they collect assault data, it is not available to the public. However, all representatives reported “few or no” assaults in 2019 and 2020.
Driver Screening
The study above seems to suggest that passengers may be at greater risk of physical or sexual assault in rideshare vehicles. However, that’s not the only reason you could be at greater risk of assault in an Uber. Because taxi companies are traditional employers, they also generally have a more rigorous screening process and more oversight than Uber.
Before being hired at a taxi company, applicants must pass a background check and an interview. Uber does screen drivers, although its relative lack of transparency in this process understandably leaves some concerned. It partners with third-party background check providers, but driver eligibility criteria depend on location.
Uber does not publish a list of disqualifications, but it says that convictions of murder, sexual assault, and terrorism “may” result in disqualification regardless of when they occurred. However, it will receive a notification if a driver is arrested, and it may suspend their driving privileges as a result.
Access to Emergency Services
Uber does have one important safety feature that taxis don’t: an emergency button. This is an in-app button a passenger can press if they are assaulted or otherwise need help. Here’s how it works:
- Tap the blue shield icon in the app
- Then tap the red alarm button
- You will be connected to local emergency services
- The app will display GPS coordinates, vehicle make and model, and license plate data
While you may be statistically safer from assault in a taxi, assaults can unfortunately happen anywhere — so you should always be careful.
Driver Profiles
Taxi companies are usually very careful when they hire drivers. However, when you call a cab, you have no information about the driver. While Uber’s rating system isn’t foolproof, the fact that drivers and passengers rate one another means that passengers can at least view a driver’s profile before accepting a ride.
Safety From Car Accidents
Whether you’re riding in an Uber or a taxi or driving a car yourself, there’s a chance you could be involved in a car accident. Neither Ubers nor taxis are categorically more or less likely to be involved in a crash, but these are some of the factors that may influence safety:
Vehicle Maintenance
Uber drivers must keep their vehicles well-maintained, but Uber has no way of verifying that cars are in good working order. When you get in an Uber, there’s a possibility that the car’s brakes are overdue for a change — or even that it has a serious mechanical issue.
On the other hand, because taxi companies own their vehicles, they keep the cars on a regular maintenance schedule. It’s always possible to get in an accident, but a well-maintained vehicle is far less likely to have a sudden, dangerous malfunction on the road.
Vehicle Safety Features
Uber requires all drivers to have vehicles no more than 16 years old. There is no vehicle age requirement for taxis, although individual cab companies may have their own policies for vehicle age. This matters because newer vehicles often have the following safety features:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
- Backup cameras
- Collision warnings
- Rear cross-traffic alerts
Ideally, anyone driving for Uber or a taxi company should be careful and experienced enough that they don’t need safety assist features. However, every driver makes mistakes, and in these rare instances, safety features could mean the difference between getting in an accident and continuing your trip unscathed.
Liability Insurance
If you’re hurt in an accident in an Uber or taxi, you likely won’t need to worry about insurance coverage. If an Uber driver causes an accident and you suffer major injuries as a result, you’re covered by Uber’s $1 million liability insurance policy.
Liability insurance limits may vary depending on the taxi company, but because a major liability claim could bankrupt a cab company with inadequate insurance, most have ample coverage.
However, the fact that a company has a generous liability insurance policy doesn’t mean that it will be easy to have a claim paid for. If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare or taxi accident — and especially if you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries — you should consider working with an attorney.
Is It Safer to Hail a Cab or Call an Uber?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question. Before deciding to take an Uber or a taxi, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each one. Keep in mind that safety is relative — it’s always wise to take precautions to protect yourself.
Contact the Scranton Personal Injury Lawyers of Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for Help Today
For more information, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly serve clients in Scranton, Kingston, Honesdale, Berwick, PA, and Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne Counties. We’re here to fight for your rights with trusted, experienced legal support. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
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