Contact Us for a Free Consultation 303-642-8888

Blog

More Rideshare Drivers on the Road as Stay At Home Eases

Posted by Jeremy Rosenthal | Jul 23, 2020 | 0 Comments

The East Coast of the U.S. had to deal with the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak much earlier than those in Colorado. Places like New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia were hit hard in the beginning, facing high numbers of hospitalizations, running out of medical supplies, and having high fatalities in the early weeks of the pandemic. 

However, some things are beginning to return to a modified “new normal” for many, including the drivers and passengers who use ride-hailing apps like Lyft and Uber. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Uber and Lyft traffic is picking up again as the city reopens, and Lyft and Uber accidents may as well. 

Ride Requests are Back on the Rise

Things slowed down quite a bit for rideshare drivers when stay-at-home orders were put into place. After all, bars and restaurants were closed, people were urged not to socialize, and many vacations and work trips were put on hold. Now, according to rideshare driver Robert Rosa, it's getting busier and busier. 

According to Lyft, May saw a 26% increase in rides as states began reopening. In some cities, there may be higher demand for rides than there are active drivers on the road. Some riders who need a ride are having to wait an hour or two before they get matched with a driver to take them to where they need to go. 

Many drivers and riders are feeling more comfortable using the rideshare apps, with precautions. Lyft and Uber are now requiring facial coverings but some drivers are taking extra precautions, like sanitizing their vehicles between riders. Uber has reportedly distributed PPE, cleanser, and hand sanitizer to their drivers, including over 5 million masks. 

Uber and Lyft have also temporarily put a halt to their shared-ride options, which match multiple passengers for combined trips at a discount. Passengers are now required to agree to a list of precautions, including wearing a face mask before they can get a ride. However, passengers are not held to the same standards as drivers, such as taking a selfie showing themselves with a mask. 

Quiet Streets are Filling Back Up in Denver

It seems so long ago when Denver, Colorado, and the U.S. first began to react to the threat of the pandemic. According to this COVID-19 timeline in the Denver Post, some select time markers include: 

  • March 5: Gov. Jared Polis announces state's first confirmed cases
  • March 16: Gov. Jared Polis orders bars and restaurants closed
  • March 23: Denver issues stay-at-home order
  • March 25: Statewide stay-at-home order
  • May 5: Denver and Metro counties shift to “safer at home” orders
  • May 24: Restaurants can resume in-person dining  
  • June 4: Churches, gyms, and pools can reopen 
  • June 19: Bars can reopen to limited capacity
  • June 30: Bars closed again

Things are starting to shift from all-open/all-closed to a sort of hybrid as people are getting used to the restrictions while going about daily life. One of the signs of things adapting is resuming the use of rideshare apps to get around, like Lyft and Uber. 

Accidents with a Lyft or Uber Vehicle

As more vehicles return to the road, auto accidents are likely to also unfortunately return, causing injury to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. If you have any questions about a rideshare injury accident, consult with an experienced Denver rideshare accident attorney.  Contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.

About the Author

Jeremy Rosenthal

Attorney Jeremy Rosenthal is dedicated to helping his clients seek just compensation for their injuries regardless of the lengths he has to go to or the distances he may have to travel in order to get it.

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Menu