Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized the way people get from place to place. But both companies have also had their share of problems due to a minority of drivers who have committed assaults against passengers, or caused accidents because of reckless actions behind the wheel. If you are planning to use one of these services, you want to be as safe as possible, and avoid any problems.
The following information will help you do just that. When you put these tips in action, that will help ensure you’ll have complete peace of mind that you’ll have an enjoyable ride without incident.
However, if something should happen, you need to get in touch with Sand Law as soon as possible. We will work to help you obtain any compensation you may have coming to you, and do everything we can to make sure justice is served. If you would like to learn more, please get in touch with us online or give us a call at 651-291-7263.
1. Request Your Ride from a Safe Place
Whether you’re getting a ride from Uber, Lyft, a taxi, a friend or from another source, you don’t want to wait outside. Find a well-lighted spot, one with a crowd of people if possible. That way, anyone who might want to harm you will definitely think twice. Anyone with bad intentions would very likely not try anything if they know a lot of witnesses saw you getting into their vehicle.
2. Check Their Reviews to Make Sure They’re a Safe Driver
Both the Uber and Lyft apps make it easy to do a little research on the driver coming to pick you up. All drivers (passengers as well, for that matter) receive reviews on a scale of 1-5. Each rideshare service claims that it deactivates drivers who consistently get low ratings, but if something doesn’t look right to you, whether it’s the car, the driver’s appearance, or anything else, cancel the ride and look for someone else.
When you’re looking at reviews, take a particularly close look at how safely the driver operates their vehicle. Riding on Minnesota roads can be extremely tricky when the weather turns cold. The last thing you’ll want to deal with is a driver who can’t handle ice or snow.
3. Confirm Your Name When Getting in the Vehicle
This will put both you and the driver at ease. Simply ask the driver who they’re picking up, and then ask the driver their name. This will be a nice, easy way for each of you to confirm everything is the way it should be before the ride begins.
4. Tell a Friend or Family Member Where You’re Going
Lyft and Uber provide a way for riders to share the name of the driver, as well as their photo, location and license plate number, with a trusted family member or a friend. They will then receive a text, or some other type of notification, that will provide a complete track of where the driver’s vehicle is located, and when you should arrive at your destination.
5. Don’t Ride Impaired or Intoxicated
This will not only be a courtesy to your driver, it will also help you stay safe during the ride. When drivers are drunk or high, they tend to not be as aware of their surroundings as they are when sober. It’s great that you would be responsible enough to have someone take you home if you’ve over-indulged, but you don’t want to run the risk of a stranger taking advantage of you.
If at all possible, call someone you know and trust if you’re ever too impaired to drive. That will be the safest thing you could do.
6. Speak Up Against Poor or Unsafe Driving
Don’t hesitate to say something if you have any reason to believe your Lyft or Uber driver is putting you in danger. If the driver is swerving, or driving in any other type of unsafe manner, say something. If it gets too bad, ask them to pull over and let you off at the next safe location, such as a gas station or a convenience store.
After the trip, immediately report the driver’s unsafe behavior on the rideshare app. Both Uber and Lyft work hard to weed out untrustworthy drivers. By speaking up, you could very well spare another rider the stress of a harrowing ride.
7. If You Get into a Car Accident, Gather Evidence
We obviously hope you’re never involved in a vehicular accident, whether it involves a rideshare service or anything else. If that does happen, however, and you’re hurt as a result, then you’ll very likely be filing a claim against the negligent driver. That could be the Uber or Lyft driver who picked you up.
In order for you to get the money you need to pay your medical bills, and to make up for the wages you’ve lost because you had to miss time from work, you’ll need to prove that the driver is to blame for your injuries. If you don’t have hard evidence, you won’t have a chance to win your case.
One of the first things you’ll need to do if you’re in a wreck is to take photos and videos of the scene using your smartphone. Contact the police and emergency medical personnel if you or anyone else has been seriously hurt. An officer will fill out a police report, and that report could be a powerful piece of proof.
Also, you’ll need to speak with an attorney. A skilled legal representative will work to find other pieces of evidence, such as footage from nearby security cameras that may have caught the accident.
8. Contact Uber or Lyft if Anything Goes Wrong
Finally, you’ll need to contact the rideshare service if you have any problems during your ride. If you were hurt in an accident caused by the driver, you might be able to take legal action against Uber or Lyft. But even if the driver was simply not safe, rude, or did something to harm you, the company will need to know so they can make sure that driver never does that to anyone else.
Also Read: Another Driver Hit Me While I Was Driving for Uber.
Sand Law LLC – Minnesota Uber/Lyft Car Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by a Lyft or Uber driver, get in touch with a Sand Law attorney. We’ll provide the skilled legal representation you’ll need to have the best possible chance of winning your case.
Contact us online or call 651-291-7263 to schedule a free consultation.