Long-Distance Car Pooling and Car Accident Risks

CANTON, Georgia. A new startup called BlaBlaCar is changing the way some people travel in Europe. The company matches long-distance travelers with cars, allowing them to car pool for longer distances. According to QZ, the company has grown from five million users in 2013 to 65 million people using the service across the world. 

Researchers are studying how the service has changed travel and increased interaction between strangers. Individuals claimed that while sharing the service, they met new people, gained new perspectives, and even got interesting advice on life.

Carpooling can have benefits when it comes to reducing car accident risks because it reduces the number of people on the road and can reduce traffic. Yet, carpooling can have its own unique challenges. When many people are in the same car, there is a slightly increased risk the driver could become distracted if conversation becomes animated, for example.

Carpooling is great for the environment and it could potentially save you money. However, if you do plan to car pool with co-workers or friends, there are some things you should keep in mind. For one, it can be useful to ask the driver or car owners about their insurance policies. Not all policies will cover all injuries or damages should an accident occur. If you are carpooling, you may want to pool your resources together to insure the driver and car so that passengers and drivers will be protected financially should an accident take place. When starting a car pool it can also be important to talk about how often cars will be maintained. A poorly maintained vehicle might not only break down, making everyone late, but it can also put everyone at risk of a car accident. A blown tire or brake failure can be very serious. Finally, you may want to ask drivers to share their driving history with you and talk about their driving record. You may not want to get in a car with a habitual speeder or with someone who has a DUI on their record.

It is also important to consider what kind of car pooling arrangement you plan to have. According to Bankrate, certain types of carpooling might not be covered by insurance. For example, if you and several friends or neighbors pool your money to purchase one car to share among your group, you’ll need to speak to your insurance company about the arrangement, because there is a risk you could be denied coverage in the event of an accident if the company isn’t aware that multiple people are using the car.

While carpooling can be safe and an excellent way to save money and protect the environment, it is important to do your homework before you get into another person’s car or share your own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident while carpooling, you and your loved ones may have options under the law. Reach out to Amanda Hall Injury Law, car accident lawyers in Canton, Georgia today.

Amanda Hall Injury Law

Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 200

Woodstock, GA 30188

678-445-7423