Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services have changed how we travel. They are extremely convenient. People can call rides from anywhere to take them anywhere. These services are generally safe, and rides are uneventful, but there are risks.
Both passengers and riders can be injured in accidents or by each other. In this blog, we detail safety tips for passengers and drivers to minimize the potential risk. By following these tips, drivers and passengers can make rides safer.
However, even if you follow all of these tips, there is still a chance you could be involved in an accident. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, whether as a driver or a passenger. You need someone to protect your rights. A New York Lyft Accident Lawyer can provide you with the legal representation you need and get you the compensation you deserve.
1: Safety Tips for Rideshare Drivers
Rideshare drivers face many safety risks. Not only can drivers be injured in car accidents, but they can also face assaults and robberies. Additionally, inebriated passengers can be distracting and even violent.
The safety of rideshare drivers is integral to a successful rideshare business. Drivers can take specific actions to mitigate the various risks and protect themselves from unsafe circumstances. Below are a few tips you, as a rideshare driver, can follow to minimize risks to your safety.
- Vehicle Maintenance and Preparedness
As a rideshare driver, you should routinely maintain your vehicle to ensure it is in excellent working condition. The inspection should include checking the car’s brakes, and lights. The vehicle should also be cleaned inside and out, and the oil should be changed regularly.
- Driver Behavior on the Road
Rideshare drivers should follow all traffic laws. This includes keeping a safe distance between you and other cars, observing the speed limit, and using turn signals. You should also not use your phone while you drive.
- Understanding Fatigue and Stress Management
Driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Heavy eyes and excessive yawning are common signs of fatigue. Before driving, you should get between seven and nine hours of sleep. To prevent fatigue, you should plan to take 15-minute breaks every 2 hours of driving. Additionally, you should make sure none of the medications you are taking affect alertness. If you show signs of fatigue, you should log off and stop driving.
- Safe Pickup and Drop-off Practices
You should avoid pick-up spots that require passengers to cross busy intersections. When dropping off a passenger, you should make sure they are positioned away from oncoming traffic. The drop-off area should be well-lit and away from any hazards.
- Adapting to Challenging Weather Conditions
During inclement weather, you should drive slowly to give yourself more time to react. You should also increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. If you drive in snowy areas, consider using winter tires to ensure better traction on snow and ice.
- Handling Difficult Passengers
It is inevitable that you will have to deal with difficult passengers. You should always remain calm and keep your tone neutral. Try to avoid confrontation and focus on your safety. If you feel threatened by a passenger, don’t hesitate to pull over and end the ride. You should report incidents and invest in a dash camera.
2: Safety Tips for Rideshare Passengers
The goal of Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services is to provide passengers with a safe trip. However, these companies cannot guarantee their passengers’ safety.
Not only can passengers be injured in car accidents, but they are at risk of abuse and harassment by drivers. Following the tips below can help you, as a passenger, reach your destination safely.
- Choosing a Reputable Rideshare Service
When choosing a rideshare service, select a reputable company that has safety as a priority. For example, check if the company does background checks on their drivers. Additionally, look for a company whose app features real-time ride tracking and emergency contact options.
- Ensuring Vehicle and Driver Verification
When your ride arrives, always make sure the car’s license plate and the vehicle’s appearance match the information from the app. You should also ask the driver who they’re there to pick up to make sure you have the right vehicle.
- Best Practices While Waiting for Your Ride
You should select well-lit pickup locations. While waiting for your ride, stay on the curb or sidewalk to avoid traffic. You should also try to request your ride inside a building so you are not exposed outside while focused on your phone.
- Passenger Etiquette Inside the Vehicle
When you get in a rideshare vehicle, wear your seatbelt and sit in the back seat if possible. You should also minimize anything that may distract the driver, such as loud phone calls or conversations.
- Staying Aware of Your Surroundings
If you are familiar with the area, check the streets to ensure your driver is traveling in the correct direction. You can use the map on your phone to track the route in an unfamiliar area. If you believe the driver is going in the wrong direction, ask where they are going or call someone who is waiting for you. If the driver knows someone is expecting you, it may deter them from taking you elsewhere.
3: Rideshare Accident Prevention Strategies
As more people rely on ridesharing apps for their transportation, accidents involving ridesharing cars become more prevalent. Many of these accidents are preventable. There are strategies that both passengers and drivers can employ to prevent ridesharing accidents.
- The Role of Rideshare Companies in Safety
Rideshare companies play an essential role in accident prevention and safety. Companies can provide insurance coverage for their drivers. This will not only help compensate the injured after an accident but will encourage the companies to adequately screen drivers and make sure the vehicle meets safety standards.
- Technology’s Role in Accident Prevention
Technology such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning can prevent accidents. Additionally, collision avoidance systems that use radars, sensors, or cameras can detect when a crash is about to happen and alert the driver. This gives the driver time to react and avoid the accident.
- Legal and Regulatory Measures
The government can reduce ridesharing accidents by implementing stricter regulations to ensure that ridesharing drivers follow safe driving practices, such as ensuring their vehicles get regularly inspected and limiting the number of hours that rideshare drivers can work in a single day. Additionally, the government can create driver education programs to promote safe driving practices, including training on the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence.
- Community and Public Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness campaigns highlight the importance of safe driving practices. These campaigns can emphasize the dangers of unsafe driving and encourage people to make responsible choices while driving.
What to Do If an Accident Occurs
After an accident, your safety should be your number one concern. Call for medical assistance for yourself or anyone involved in the accident who has been injured. Even if you do not feel injured, medical evaluation is essential as some injuries may have delayed symptoms.
You should call law enforcement and report the incident to the rideshare company. While still at the scene, take photos and videos of the accident and get information for all the parties involved. You should also report the accident to your insurance and find legal counsel to protect your rights. During the process, keep all documents and track medical treatment and expenses.
Need Legal Help? Contact a lawyer today!
When a ridesharing accident happens, an attorney can provide you with the legal representation you need. An attorney will help you navigate the complex legal process and fight to make sure you receive fair compensation for the damages you suffer.
At the offices of Gregory Spektor & Associates P.C., our Personal Injury Lawyer can walk with you through this stressful time. Our compassionate advocates will work tirelessly to get compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. Call 1(800)-318-8888 to set up your FREE consultation and find out how we can help you!
