There’s no doubt about it; ridesharing services are here to stay. In many cities they’ve overtaken traditional taxi services as the preferred means of transportation. They have even competed with public transportation. People like the interpersonal interactions they get from a ridesharing service, and they like the feeling of helping to provide jobs.
Unfortunately, there have been some incidents involving ridesharing safety. Some of these were with drivers, some with people pretending to be Uber or Lyft drivers who weren’t, and some with passengers. It’s vital that you take the right steps to stay safe when you’re in a rideshare. Check out these safety tips for Uber and Lyft, so that you will have a great time getting where you need to go, every time you get into a car.
Ridesharing Safety Tips
With continued reports of drivers and passengers being assaulted, people posing as drivers for unscrupulous reasons, and other issues regarding Uber and Lyft safety, it’s important to take all the steps you can to be sure that you are safe when you get into a car. Confirming the car and driver, checking up on the driver and letting people know where you are going are just some of the most important safety tips for Uber and Lyft.
Confirm Your Car and Driver
Both Lyft and Uber will tell you the driver’s name, give you their photo, and tell you their car type. Confirm you’re getting in the right car! Lyft also has its drivers display the Amp, a bright, colored-light device on their dashboards. Your Lyft app color should match the Amp color in the car.
Check Your Driver
You have the right to cancel a rideshare on any service. When you make a call, check the driver’s rating. If you’re not comfortable with it, cancel the ride, and call for another. The minor hassle is better than the risk.
Tell Someone Where You’re Going
This is the most important tip for Lyft and Uber safety. With some services like Uber, you can use the app to share status with friends and family members, who can then track your trip without needing to download the app. For services that don’t offer that, send a photo of the license plate to someone you trust. Make sure someone knows where you are!
Sit in the Back Seat
Most reports of assaults by drivers involve passengers sitting in the front seat. Sit in the back, just as you would in a taxicab, and you’ll be less likely to be targeted for harassment by an unscrupulous driver.
Use the Buddy System
The buddy system never goes out of style. Travel with a friend, and you’ll have backup if things start to go sour. There’s always safety in numbers.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
Even if you take all of the proper steps for Lyft, Uber, or ridesharing safety, you can still be the victim of an unscrupulous person. If this happens, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve suffered. In the Bay area, contact Gruber Law for a free consultation with an Uber accident attorney about your case today.
Leave a Reply