Uber and Lyft might be safer than driving yourself home, but these apps are not without risk. Both Uber and Lyft have documented histories of serious incidents involving their riders, including car crashes, kidnappings and sexual assaults. Use these tips from our Aurora personal injury lawyers to keep yourself as safe as possible on your next Uber or Lyft ride.
Tell Someone Where You’re Going
Let someone know where you are and where you are going before starting a ride. Inform a friend or loved one that you plan on taking an Uber or Lyft to your destination. Provide an estimated time of arrival and tell that person you will let them know when you arrive. If they don’t hear from you, they should try to call you or contact the authorities.
Share Your Location and Ride Status
Most mobile devices allow you to share your location with others. It is a good idea to share your location with a trusted friend or family member before getting into an Uber or Lyft. That way, if you do not arrive at your destination for any reason, someone will be able to track your location using your phone. Uber and Lyft also allow you to share your ride status with others through the app. This can allow someone to keep up with where you are and the status of your ride in real time.
Don’t Wait Alone
Wait for your Uber or Lyft to arrive in a safe place. If you can avoid it, do not wait alone. Do not wait outside of a bar by yourself late at night, for example. This can invite predators and criminals to target you. Instead, wait inside or have a friend or coworker wait with you until your ride arrives.
Match License Plate Numbers
Before getting into any vehicle, match the car’s license plate to the numbers shown in your app. After connecting you to a driver, you will be sent information about your ride, including the make and model of the driver’s vehicle and its license plate numbers. Carefully match these numbers to the vehicle before getting inside. You can also match the driver to the photo shown in your app and ask the driver who he or she is here for.
Make Use of Uber and Lyft Safety Features
During your ride, use the safety features that both Uber and Lyft offer in their apps. You can access more information about the driver and report a driver who harasses or assaults you, for example. You can also report safety issues or car accidents and request emergency help. On both apps, you can choose to have emergency services call you, text you or alert 911 silently. Two-way rating systems also allow you to rate your driver after your ride. Uber and Lyft will use these ratings to take action against dangerous drivers, as necessary.
Do Not Share Personal Information
Protect yourself during a ride by not sharing any personal information about yourself with the driver. Do not discuss who you live with, whether your spouse or roommate is home, your relationship status, your age, your phone number or whether the location where you are being dropped off is your home. Uber and Lyft both protect your privacy by giving the driver an anonymous phone number for your safety.
Know What to Do in the Event of a Car Accident
Uber and Lyft drivers are not immune to car accidents. Our Aurora car accident attorneys have experienced claims in which rideshare drivers make mistakes such as distracted or reckless driving that result in serious motor vehicle collisions. If you get involved in a crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, stay calm and take the proper steps to protect yourself.
Check yourself for injuries and do not get out of the car unless it is safe to do so. The accident should be reported to law enforcement if anyone is injured or there is property damage. Report the crash to Uber or Lyft, as well, through the app or their customer service lines. If you suffer serious injuries or struggle to recover fair compensation from the rideshare company for your accident, contact an Aurora Uber and Lyft accident lawyer for legal representation.
