Mark Casto | July 30, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus, Georgia
Rideshare services like Uber represent a popular alternative to taxis. You can schedule a ride at your convenience, track your driver’s estimated time of arrival, leave reviews, and tip, all from one app. The question is, is Uber safer than hailing an old-school cab?
Here’s everything you need to know so you can choose the best transportation option for you.
Is Uber Safe?
Overall, Uber is incredibly safe. The company compiles detailed biennial safety reports, with the latest spanning 2021 to 2022. According to this report, 99.9998% of Uber rides were completed without any reported critical safety incidents. The company also claims that there are 10+ ways to report a safety issue.
During the two-year span covered in the report, Uber drivers in the United States completed over 2.5 million trips and racked up more than 17.5 billion miles.
Despite all of these staggering numbers, a few high-profile Uber safety incidents seem to make their way into the news cycle each year. You have probably seen a few of them yourself. While these are extremely concerning, they don’t undermine the fact that, statistically, Uber is a very safe way to travel.
Overall, there’s a relatively low likelihood that you’ll be involved in an Uber accident or safety incident.
Is Lyft Safe?
While comparing Uber vs. taxi safety, it’s worth taking a moment to look at Lyft as well. Like Uber, Lyft publishes safety data as part of its transparency initiative. Lyft reports that 99.9998% of trips are completed without an incident. This indicates your odds of being in a Lyft crash are quite low, too.
How Safe Are Taxis?
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find comprehensive data on taxi accident statistics. Generally speaking, they are a safe option. However, there are plenty of potential drawbacks, which is a big reason why rideshare providers like Uber have gained such a big share of the market.
Some headaches associated with using taxis include:
- Limited digital payment options
- Difficulty ordering a cab
- No driver-specific reviews
- Limited vehicle options
However, in terms of pure safety, taxis are on par with rideshare solutions like Uber.
How Driver Background Checks Compare Between Uber and Taxis
Who is behind the wheel has a huge impact on safety. Uber drivers must pass a background check before gaining access to the platform. These checks typically include reviews of criminal history and driving records. However, Uber has faced criticism for not fingerprinting drivers, a step many taxi companies require.
That does not guarantee that your taxi cab driver was fingerprinted during their background check. To find out, you’ll need to check with the company that hired them.
The good news is that both Uber and taxi companies verify that drivers are licensed. They also consider a person’s driving history and traffic ticket records before allowing them to get behind the wheel.
Insurance Coverage and Liability Differences
One of the biggest differences between taxis and Uber involves insurance.
Taxis
Taxi companies require commercial insurance. The amount of coverage that is required can vary by city or state. On a positive note, taxi insurance coverage is usually active at all times when the cab is in service, regardless of whether the driver has passengers on board or not.
Uber
Uber insurance coverage varies depending on the stage of a ride the driver is in. When an Uber driver is offline and not using the app, their personal auto insurance applies, and it must meet their state’s minimum liability requirements. Once the driver logs into the Uber app and is available to accept rides, Uber provides third-party liability coverage in case of an accident.
This includes up to:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
However, this coverage only applies if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t already cover the incident.
When the driver accepts a ride request or is actively transporting a passenger, Uber provides significantly more coverage. This includes $1 million in third-party liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver’s own vehicle.
Benefits and Risks of Uber vs. Taxis
Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of Uber vs. a traditional taxi.
Pros and Cons of Uber
Some perks of using Uber are:
- Real-time GPS tracking and app support
- Cashless payments
- Availability in more areas
The downsides are:
- Insurance gaps when not on a ride
- Limited local oversight
- More driver anonymity
Additionally, Uber doesn’t offer recurring verification of drivers. Someone could sign up for Uber and then allow a friend, spouse, or relative to pick up passengers on their behalf.
Pros and Cons of Taxis
The benefits of using a taxi include:
- Regulated by local authorities
- Consistent driver vetting
- Insurance is always active while in service
However, there are lots of potential downsides. When you order a cab, you get whichever driver is in your vicinity at the time. Each cab company uses a standard fleet of vehicles, which further limits your options.
When you use a ridesharing app, you get to choose the vehicle type that picks you up. This can be very convenient, especially if you want a premium vehicle or have a large group with you.
Which One Should You Choose?
There’s a chance you could be involved in a car accident, regardless of which transportation option you choose. However, Uber is a statistically safe option and offers other perks, such as convenience and GPS tracking.
Ultimately, you should use whichever transportation option offers the best value, convenience, and availability based on your current needs. Just make sure to learn local laws and review your options so you can stay safe.
For further advice or help if you’ve been in an Uber or Taxi accident, contact Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus personal injury lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
