Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing services have been a godsend to folks all over the country who don’t own a car or have access to reliable public transportation, but who still need to get around to work, school and to run errands. This demographic has expanded to include a lot of teen users, which has left parents understandably concerned.
Are teens actually at risk when using ridesharing services? Let’s check out the ridesharing risks when teens use Uber and Lyft and find out what you can do to mitigate these problems and keep your kids safe.
Teens, Lyft and Uber: Ridesharing Risks
The biggest risk from teens using Uber involves a loophole in state law regarding people who come into contact with minors through the course of their daily work. In general, anyone who has a significant chance of contact with kids in their job has to have clearances showing that they are not a risk to the kids with whom they come into contact.
These laws apply to workers in a list of very specific occupations such as teachers, librarians and the like. They don’t, unfortunately, apply to ridesharing drivers. Instead, the state Public Utilities Commission counts on the companies to enforce policies regarding teen use of these services.
Ignoring the Rules
Uber and Lyft, as a matter of policy, prohibit giving rides to underage fares. Unfortunately, independent investigators have shown that these rules are ignored every single day. Underage teens have reported sexual harassment from drivers. While Uber has, in at least one case, refunded the fare of a rider that complained, that rider was then banned from the app due to being underage. This had the additional effect of the rider not knowing whether the driver was disciplined.
How to Protect Teens From Uber and Lyft Risks
The best way to protect your teen from the risks of using Uber, Lyft or other ridesharing services, is simply not to allow the teen to take these services. Doing so is a violation of their terms of service, though it’s worth noting that both services fought against requiring their drivers to get clearances, which unto itself could be argued to throw a negative light on the services.
Uber and Lyft have had their share of troubles, particularly in the way they handle their background checks. It’s also worth noting that there are ridesharing services that are designed specifically for kids. It might be a good idea to look into these services and recommend that your teens use them instead of using adult-oriented services.
Contact Gruber Law
If your teen does run into serious trouble regarding ridesharing risks, you may be able to hold the company responsible for the actions of their driver. In this case, your best bet to get compensated for any harm suffered could be to work with a qualified and experienced Uber and Lyft attorney.
If you’re in the San Francisco region, Gruber Law can help with your Lyft or Uber case, as we have years of experience handling these kinds of cases. Get in touch with us for more information or to schedule a free consultation regarding your case today.
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