The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm | February 13, 2026 | Car Accidents
What Passengers Should Know About Rideshare Accidents on Valentine’s Day
On Valentine’s Day, many people in Northern Virginia choose Uber or Lyft to get home safely.
Dinner ends. A partner suggests calling a rideshare. You slide into the back seat, relax, and assume the hard part of the night is over.
At The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm, we regularly speak with injured passengers who never expected to be involved in a crash. They were not driving. They were not drinking. They were simply heading home.
But Valentine’s Day — and other high-traffic celebration nights — carry increased risk, especially for rideshare passengers.
Are Rideshare Accidents More Common on Valentine’s Day?
Yes. National crash data shows that fatal crashes increase on Valentine’s Day, with alcohol-related accidents rising even more sharply.
The most dangerous hours are between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., when couples are leaving restaurants and events.
At 6 p.m. alone, alcohol-related crashes spike by more than 50 percent compared to a typical day.
Rideshare demand also increases by 30 to 50 percent that evening. More Uber and Lyft vehicles on the road means:
- Increased congestion in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and Prince William County
- Longer driver shifts
- More app navigation and potential distraction
- Greater exposure to third-party drivers
Nearly one-third of rideshare crashes involve distracted driving. Importantly, in most fatal Uber accidents, another driver — not the Uber driver — is responsible.
That means even responsible rideshare drivers cannot eliminate outside risk.
What Happens If You Are Injured as a Rideshare Passenger?
Many injured passengers are unsure who is responsible after an Uber or Lyft accident.
In Virginia, rideshare accidents often involve multiple insurance policies, which can include:
- The rideshare company’s commercial policy
- The rideshare driver’s personal insurance
- A third-party driver’s liability coverage
These cases can quickly become complicated. Insurance companies may dispute which policy applies and when coverage is triggered.
As Northern Virginia rideshare accident lawyers, our firm regularly helps injured passengers understand:
- Which insurance policy applies
- How medical bills are handled
- What documentation is needed
- What steps to take after a rideshare crash
Passengers are rarely responsible for causing the accident. But without clear guidance, the process can feel overwhelming.
The Back Seat Seatbelt Risk Most Passengers Overlook
One statistic surprises many people.
In hired vehicles like Uber and Lyft, only about 57 percent of back-seat passengers say they always wear a seatbelt.
Yet most rear-seat passengers killed in crashes were not restrained.
Virginia has the lowest seatbelt usage rate in the country, and more than half of vehicle occupant deaths involve someone not wearing a seatbelt.
As of July 1, 2025, Virginia law requires adult rear-seat passengers to wear seatbelts, reflecting what safety data has shown for years.
The back seat is not automatically safer.
Northern Virginia Rideshare Accident Trends
In high-density areas like:
- Fairfax County
- Arlington
- Alexandria
- Prince William County
Traffic volume is already significant. DUI crashes and evening congestion increase during holidays and major social events.
When Uber and Lyft activity surges, crash exposure increases as well.
Passengers often feel unsure what applies to them after a crash — especially when multiple insurance companies are involved.
Why Work With a Northern Virginia Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Rideshare accident cases are different from typical car accident claims.
They involve layered insurance policies, corporate representatives, and specific timing questions about whether a driver was logged into the app.
At The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm, we focus on:
- Car accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites
- Wrongful death cases
We serve clients throughout Northern Virginia and take a straightforward, personal approach. We listen first. We explain clearly. We handle communications with insurance companies so our clients can focus on recovery.
Our role is not just to file paperwork. It is to provide steady guidance during a confusing time.
Contact a Northern Virginia Rideshare Accident Lawyer at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William County, or anywhere in Northern Virginia, you can contact our office at 571-229-1800.
You can also visit theparrishlawfirm.com to learn more about how we handle rideshare accident cases.
Even if you simply have questions about what applies to you as a passenger, we are here as a resource for our community.
Wherever your plans take you, we hope you get home safely. Contact our Northern Virginia rideshare accident attorneys today for a free initial consultation.
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Manassas
9208 Lee Ave, First Floor, Manassas, VA, 20110
(571) 229-1800
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Manassas
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.7523907,-77.5566859
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Fairfax
4000 Legato Rd #1100, Fairfax, VA, 22033
(571) 200-5424
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Fairfax
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.8657713,-77.3652474
