Rideshare Safety Tips from an Uber Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Summary: Rideshare platforms like Uber pose a number of threats to drivers and passengers alike. The most prevalent threat is that of accident and injury. Learn more about some of the most common risks by reading this post from an Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles.

Rideshare Safety Tips from a Car Accident Lawyer in LA

Rideshare platforms have made our lives more convenient, but they haven’t necessarily made us safer. Any time you get into a moving vehicle, there’s potential for you to be injured or even killed in an accident… and that’s true of Ubers, Lyfts, and beyond.

According to an Uber safety report, there were 58 Uber-related fatalities in 2018 alone. Other reports have indicated that rideshare platforms have led to a two or three percent increase in fatal highway accidents.

And it’s not just collisions that you have to worry about. Uber has also owned up to instances of physical and sexual assault in their vehicles.

The bottom line? You’ve got to be careful when taking rideshare. That starts with basic awareness. The question is, what are some of the major risks for rideshare passengers and drivers to be aware of? What follows is a summary from a leading Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles.

Safety Risks for Uber Passengers

First, let’s summarize some of the most common safety risks faced by Uber passengers. According to our team of Uber accident lawyers in Los Angeles, the most common threats are:

• Driver impersonation. There have been a number of reported cases of passengers getting into a car they think is operated by an official Uber gigger, only to be physically attacked, sexually assaulted, robbed, or murdered by a fraudulent driver.
• Accidents. Again, rideshare vehicles have the same risks as any other moving cars or trucks. When you get into any vehicle, there’s a risk you could be involved in a serious accident.
• Inconsistent background checks. While companies like Uber say they prioritize passenger safety, there is plenty of room to question their background check process.

These are just a few of the red flags for Uber passengers to be aware of; now, what about the risks faced by Uber drivers?

Safety Risks for Uber Drivers

According to our Uber accident lawyers in Los Angeles, some of the most prevalent threats facing rideshare drivers include:

• Safety on the road. Even the safest drivers can run into hazardous road conditions, reckless motorists, inclement weather, etc. These factors can significantly raise the risk of collision.
• Unpredictable passengers. You never know who’s going to get into your vehicle. If it’s someone who’s heavily intoxicated, a physical altercation is not outside the realm of possibility.
• Insurance gaps. Rideshare drivers can’t assume their personal auto coverage will kick in for any accidents that occur when they are on the job. Uber has policies on its drivers, but they won’t necessarily cover all damages as the result of an accident.

Obviously, for as great as rideshare services are, they can bring real dangers to drivers and passengers alike. That’s why it’s so important to be vigilant and to know the name of a qualified Uber accident lawyer.

To chat with an Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles, reach out to us directly. We’re here to answer your questions or to come to your defense.