Top 10 Lyft and Uber Safety Tips for Riders

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become popular forms of transportation. Unfortunately, recent years have seen increasing reports of serious issues with rideshare trips, from assaults to car accidents. If you use rideshare services, you need to know how to be safe in an Uber alone.  

These tips from Brooks & Radchenko Law Firm were formulated by rideshare accident attorneys to help you know how to protect yourself while using a rideshare service and what to do when a rideshare trip goes wrong.

Staying Safe When Taking an Uber or Lyft Ride

Common safety issues with rideshare drivers include individuals posing as rideshare drivers, verified drivers with bad intentions, and drivers under the influence.

The following tips can help you learn how to stay safe in an Uber or Lyft.

1. Proceed with Caution

When it comes to the question of using Uber vs. Lyft, safety protocol is the same for either service. Do your research before you get into a rideshare vehicle. Know what is and isn’t normal driver behavior, locate the app’s safety features, and keep your phone accessible at all times.

2. Tell Someone Where You Are Going

Never use a rideshare service without informing friends or family. Someone should know where you are being picked up and dropped off as well as your arrival time. Make it a habit to check in once your ride is over so loved ones know if something has gone wrong.

3. Check the Surroundings

Stay alert while waiting for your ride. Never wait outside alone or in a poorly lit area. Notice which businesses are open and where you can go for help if you need it.

4. Wait for Your Ride Inside with Your Friends

If you’re out with friends, stay inside with them until your driver arrives. Waiting alone outside makes you an easy target, especially at night. When people pose as rideshare drivers, they look for victims who are clearly waiting for a ride. Remaining inside with friends reduces your chances of being targeted.

5. Verify the License Plate

Your rideshare app contains crucial safety information about your trip, including your driver’s type of car and license plate number.

Many rideshare passengers use this information to keep an eye out for their driver’s approaching vehicle. However, it can be easy to assume you’ve got the right car because the make, model, or color are a match.

Always pause and check that the license plate number matches the one listed on the app.

6. Look at the Driver

Never get into an Uber or Lyft before taking a good look at the driver. Greet them from outside of the car and ask for their name. Your driver’s name and photo are listed on your rideshare app. Always verify that this information matches before getting into a rideshare vehicle.

You should also assess your driver’s behavior. Check whether they seem sober by looking for bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or the smell of alcohol.

7. Sit in the Back Seat

Putting some distance between yourself and the driver makes it harder for a driver to physically reach you. It also makes it easier for you to quickly exit the vehicle if that becomes necessary.

Sitting in the back seat also reduces the chance of serious injury in the event of an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft.

8. Keep Your Personal Information Private

Some rideshare drivers are silent while others can be very chatty. It’s alright to engage in small talk, but be vigilant about how much personal information you share. Never give a driver information about your whereabouts or schedule. Keep mention of work, home, and social plans vague.

9. Share Your Trip

Ridesharing apps include a feature that allows you to share your trip’s progress via GPS. Whenever you get into a Lyft or Uber, make a habit of sending this info to a partner, parent, or friend.

Some popular third-party apps that allow riding tracking include:

It’s also a good idea to share vehicle information, including make, model, color, and license plate number.  

10. Follow Your Intuition

If something about your rideshare driver feels off, it’s better to be safe. It’s alright to decline a ride if you’re not comfortable with your driver. If something feels wrong after the ride has started, don’t hesitate to call 911 or use the app’s emergency feature.

If your driver makes you uncomfortable or afraid, ask them to pull over and let you out in a safe, well-lit area.

How to Report an Uber or Lyft Driver

Complaints about a rideshare driver can be submitted directly through your app. This method is ideal, as Uber or Lyft will already have all the information available about the driver.

If you didn’t personally order the ride, you can also visit the rideshare company’s website and call or email a complaint. Make sure to take down the vehicle’s license plate number if you use this method of reporting.

If you were involved in a car accident, you should report the accident to the police.

When to Call a Lawyer

Rideshare services are designed to offer safe transportation. If your rideshare driver endangered your safety, a rideshare lawyer can help you recover compensation for the damages.

Rideshare companies maintain generous insurance policies, but it takes an experienced lawyer familiar with insurance and rideshare cases to make these policies work to your advantage.

When you’re unsure of whether you should contact a lawyer, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and schedule a consultation.

Never Neglect Rideshare Safety

It can be easy to forget to take precautions when you’re using rideshare vehicles, especially when alcohol is involved. However, remembering these Lyft and Uber safety tips can keep you safe and protect you from a night out turning into a nightmare.

If you’ve been involved in an incident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, a rideshare accident attorney at Brooks & Radchencko can help. Contact us today and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.