Rideshare services are among the most convenient features of modern life. They are easier to summon than taxis and they make it simpler for everyone to commute from place to place regardless of where they live. However, they are not perfect and not just because a ride is late or a driver gets lost. There are cases where passengers have been attacked and hurt by drivers. In most cases, it is usually a fake driver who is pretending to be the actual Uber or Lyft driver, but no matter the case, there are ways for users of these services to stay safe.

Nonetheless, if you got hurt during an Uber or Lyft ride you can get compensation for your damages from the rideshare company. It does not matter if those damages were physical or mental, you deserve to be compensated for them. However, legal experts like Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. recommend that you get a lawyer to help you. The reason is that rideshare companies are very reluctant to offer a settlement to passengers and will fight you the whole way. A lawyer can help you to fight back and get the compensation that you need and deserve.

Make Sure The Right Car Picks You Up

It is usually fake rideshare drivers who attack their passengers and the way to avoid phony drivers is by thoroughly checking the vehicle that arrives to pick you up. You should make sure that the make, model, and license plate of the car matches the information in your app. If the car does not match the information in your app, then you should avoid getting into that vehicle. 

Communication is Important

This means communication between you and your driver as well as communicating with your friends or family so that they know when you got into the car and where you are at all times. When the driver arrives, you should ask them if they know your name and your destination before you get into the vehicle. They should have that information before they arrive, so if they are unable to recite that information to you, then that is a clear red flag that something is wrong and that you should not get in the vehicle.

You should also keep in touch with friends or family when you get into the vehicle. You can call them directly as you get into the car and leave a brief message mentioning that you are about to get into an Uber. When a driver knows that there are people looking out for you, they are less likely to try anything. Even if you have no one to call, you can pretend to do so by leaving a voice memo for yourself as you get into the vehicle. Also, both Uber and Lyft have an option to share your ride with your friends so that they know where you are at all times, which is why you should use that feature whenever you use a rideshare service.

Stay Alert

There are many different methods of staying alert when you get into an Uber or Lyft:

  • Sit behind the front passenger seat so that you can keep an eye on the driver.
  • Make sure that they pick you up and drop you off in secure, well lit areas, preferably with other people around.
  • Do not let the driver drop you off in front of your home if possible. It is rarely a good idea to let strangers know where you live, so ask to be dropped off in a place that’s close to your home instead.
  • Do not get into a car if there is someone else in the vehicle when there should not be anyone else there.
  • Do not get into the vehicle if the driver does not seem to be sober or is acting strangely.

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