When you opt to ride with an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service, it is reasonable to expect your driver to operate their vehicle safely. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. If you find yourself in a situation where your rideshare driver is engaging in risky behaviors, don’t just close your eyes and hope for the best. Memorize the tips in this post that could help prevent you from winding up injured in a preventable car accident.
Examples of Unsafe Rideshare Driver Behaviors
Every year, thousands of riders use a handy app on their phone to summon a rideshare service, the two most prominent being Uber and Lyft. However, a considerable number of riders have reported disturbing behavior by their drivers, including the following:
- Driving recklessly: speeding, zig-zagging around traffic, and tailgating
- Texting, holding conversations, or otherwise engaging with their phones while driving, a well-known risk for traffic accidents
- Exhibiting road rage, another frequent contributor to accident-related injuries and deaths
- Behaving in a way that indicates being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Fortunately, both Uber and Lyft have acknowledged the need for improving driver safety and protecting riders in recent years. Uber offers the following options, most available right in their app, that we suggest you utilize if you feel your driver is putting your safety at risk.
In-app Reporting Options from Uber and Lyft
Uber provides the following suggestions on their website for any rider worried about their driver’s behavior for reporting them in real time. These include the ability to call or text via the Safety Shield icon in the app. This allows you to contact an ADT Safety Agent and provides an in-app Emergency Button to call 9-1-1. Additional options are available to report the driver after your ride.
Lyft has its own suggestions for reporting urgent safety concerns. These include an in-app ability to contact ADT and a live safety team. Other options are available for post-ride reporting.
Steps You Can Take if You Feel Endangered
Reporting concerns is all well and good but might not resolve any concerns as quickly as taking matters into your own hands. If you are worried about the way your driver is behaving, here are additional tips for handling the situation directly:
- Make sure your seatbelt is fastened. It is still too common for riders to skip wearing their seatbelts in the back of rideshare vehicles and taxis. It’s also a huge mistake. If you didn’t buckle up the minute you got in the car and your driver is making you nervous, now is the time to take this precaution.
- Say something. While it might be uncomfortable to challenge your driver, remember that not only are you paying for the ride but it’s your life (and perhaps the life of someone you care about) that might be at risk, which far outweighs other niceties. Be polite and clear about your concern and ask the driver to stop doing whatever is alarming you.
- Get out. If a driver refuses to listen to your request, tell them to pull over at the next safe opportunity and let you out, then report the driver to their rideshare service.
- Contact the police. This should only be done in a fairly extreme circumstance, but if your driver is exhibiting road rage or other behavior that puts you and others in immediate danger, it might be your best option.
Call a Rideshare Vehicle Accident Attorney
You should be able to take an Uber, Lyft, or other service without fearing for your life. When a driver is reckless with your safety and causes an accident, they should be held responsible for any injuries you suffer. Hold them accountable by contacting Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation.
Contact our office today by calling (310) 683-2300 or filling out the online contact form to discuss the details of your case and learn more about how we can help you. We offer free consultations, so there’s no reason not to reach out to someone from our team right away.