Uber and Lyft are both highly popular ways to get around, with as many young Americans saying they’ll get an Uber home as those saying they’ll get a taxi. It’s become a common part of our culture and a way for drivers to earn some extra money without becoming licensed taxi drivers. The problem is that passengers often take the service for granted. They forget that this isn’t the same professional service as a taxi company and that it’s easy for dangerous drivers to turn up. Sadly, criminal acts are far too common, and Uber accidents are, too.
Examples Of Criminal Acts Involving Uber and Lyft Drivers
1) Car accidents
The biggest risk with Lyft and Uber accidents is car accidents. Drivers can easily drive into someone else’s vehicle or property due to their recklessness or lack of concentration on the road. This is bad enough if the other driver gets hurt as a result, but there’s also the consideration of any passengers the Uber driver may have in the car at the time. We may expect Uber drivers to always be cautious and professional, but that isn’t the case. When these accidents do happen, you can call for legal help from an Uber accident lawyer to get the fair compensation you deserve.
2) Pedestrian accidents
There are also risks involving pedestrians and Uber accidents. Perhaps an Uber driver runs a red light while trying to make it to their next fare on time or hits someone while distracted during a journey. In this case, passengers need to be careful and help provide accurate statements. Passengers causing those distractions may share partial blame.
3) DWI/DUI
It sounds implausible that someone would actively work as an Uber driver while under the influence of substances. Yet, this does happen. Passengers can end up in harm’s way because of their driver’s impaired driving. Other motorists and pedestrians are also at risk of collisions and hit-and-run accidents.
4) Fraud
Many drivers fraudulently claim to be part of Uber’s service and one of their official drivers when that isn’t true. All they need to do is drive up to someone who appears to be waiting for a ride and then complete the journey if the passenger doesn’t suspect anything. This is why it pays to be vigilant when using apps and checking cars. The driver may not mean any harm to passengers and may instead just be out to get paid. However, other cases are more sinister.
5) Sexual assault
Sadly, these cases aren’t uncommon either. Predators use the Uber service to get closer to vulnerable people and create a situation where they are in control. All it takes is for them to drive somewhere else where they think they won’t be seen and try to take advantage. Some of these drivers are fraudsters pretending to be with the service. Others are legitimate drivers who signed up for the wrong reason.
Finding Reliable And Authentic Uber Drivers
The best way to avoid any of this happening to you in the future is to be vigilant when hiring drivers from Uber or Lyft. The more you do to protect yourself, the lower the risk of injury or assault. These positive actions will also work in your favor if you ever have to claim an Uber driver in court.
The first step is to make sure that your driver is authentic. This will ensure you aren’t involved in any case of fraudulent drivers taking your money or anyone using the platform to gain access to vulnerable passengers. Always check a driver’s name and photo to be sure they’re a match. The same goes for the car details. Also, check there’s an Uber sticker on the car. If you believe they’re not legitimate, move away from the car and call the police if they won’t leave you alone. You should be able to track your driver’s position on the app. So, if they’re a mile away but someone pulls up, it probably isn’t them.
If you are convinced the driver is authentic, you still need to take steps to protect yourself. Sitting in the back seat makes you less of a target for assault. Paying attention to the route also helps you see if they’re taking any wrong turns. Make sure to have your phone on hand, just in case you need it. It’s also a good idea to let other people know you’re in an Uber so someone can check you made it to your destination. Finally, if you enter the car and notice that the driver seems intoxicated or there’s a smell of drugs or alcohol, you are within your rights to leave.
Making A Claim Against Uber Drivers
Lawsuits against rideshare services like Uber and Lyft may sound like an uncommon and niche specialty, but there are professional car accident lawyers who can help. They will help you make a claim against the driver using all the information you can gather from your time in the vehicle. It doesn’t matter how low-key you think the incident was. If the driver hurts you or puts you at risk, they should pay for it. Lawyers can help with car accident cases where an Uber driver caused injuries due to reckless driving or intoxication. If you can prove you weren’t at fault in any way and can report the driver to the police, you’re well on your way to gaining compensation. The same goes for pedestrians, who can use police reports about Uber drivers to claim for their injuries. You can even claim for sexual assault damages and help get a predatory driver off the roads to protect other people.
If you think you have a case, the best thing to do is talk to an expert accident lawyer. Explain what happened and tell them about any criminal charges – or lack thereof. They can help you get the ball rolling on filing a claim and seeing that the Uber driver can’t hurt anyone else.
