Uber is a wildly popular ride sharing service all over the nation. It hasn’t, however, been without its share of controversies. It’s not just available in the United States, either, but has spread to 50 countries all over the world, and that’s just in the first few years of its existence. If you’re thinking of driving for Uber, or calling them in lieu of a cab, you’re not alone.
As with any service, though, there are some things that you should be aware of before you download the app and sign on. Learn a number of important things to know about Uber, from being a driver to taking the service to get to your next party, or gathering, to filing a suit.
Things to Know about Uber
Uber is a great service that has made it easier for a lot of people to get where they need to go, when they need to get there. However, it’s not perfect, and there are things you should be aware of up front. Let’s take a look at a few of these things.
Tips Aren’t Included
First of all, never assume that tips are included in your Uber ride fare. They’re not; when you get into an Uber, the driver keeps 80% of the fare, while 20% goes to Uber. There’s no tip included. The company actually actively discourages drivers from accepting tips the first time they’re offered, and only allowing it if the passenger insists on it. So be prepared for the driver to refuse an offer of tips.
Your Rider Rating Doesn’t Matter
While the driver rating may be very important to Uber in terms of drivers making a good living doing the job, as a rider, your rating doesn’t really matter. In fact, most Uber drivers default to a five-star rating as long as their riders don’t cause serious trouble. Most drivers will accept a ride request regardless of what the passenger’s rating is.
Acceptance Rate Matters
For drivers, their acceptance rate matters almost as much as their quality rating. If a driver doesn’t accept at least 80% of requests that come on, they probably make less money. Those that drive more than 50 hours per week get a 10% bonus in their cut.
Drivers Don’t Know Where You’re Headed
Uber drivers have no idea where their passenger is headed until after they pick someone up. This means that you could put in a destination that’s over 3 hours away, and the driver won’t know it until they pick you up in Pittsburgh and you ask them directly to take you to Columbus. They also, obviously, don’t know your purpose in going there unless you choose to tell them.
You Can Sue Uber
If you have issues with your experience with Uber, whether you’re a passenger that has a major issue resulting in injury, or you’re a driver who is in an accident that’s not your fault, and you have trouble getting satisfaction from the company.
Of course, these suits can get very complicated very fast. If you’re in need of an Attorney in California to deal with an Uber lawsuit, or are just curious about more things to know about Uber, the Gruber Law Group can help. Give us a call today!