Catching a ride with Uber or Lyft seems like a safe decision. Isn’t it a good idea to get a ride instead of going out drinking and then risk driving under the influence? Isn’t it better to hire a driver who knows where he or she is going instead of driving in an unfamiliar city?
Sure, those are all smart reasons to consider a rideshare service. But there are risks involved any time you accept a ride from someone you don’t know. This is especially true if the driver poses as an Uber or Lyft driver, but is actually not a registered driver with either service. Unfortunately, this has happened in Honolulu already.
If you were injured in an incident with an Uber or Lyft driver, it’s possible that you could be entitled to compensation. Contact a Honolulu car accident lawyer at Recovery Law Center today for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights.
Safety Tips for Uber and Lyft Passengers
Rideshare services have a series of safety guidelines to help keep their customers and drivers safe. Many of their recommendations are common sense for any car ride. Some of them are designed to help their users avoid driver fraud. To avoid fake drivers, it’s recommended that you:
- Call your car from inside your current location, so that no one can see you and attempt to pick you up.
- Notify a friend or family member of where you plan to go.
- Check the details when you get your car notification. Do the make, model, and license plate match?
- Make the driver identify you. They should know your name when you ask who they’re picking up. If they don’t, don’t get in.
- Always sit in the back seat.
- Wear a seat belt. Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere.
- Call 911 in an emergency. If you call through the Uber app, it will display your live location and trip details to the dispatcher.
Safety is your No. 1 priority in any rideshare vehicle. If you suspect that your driver is a fake or are worried about being in an Uber/Lyft accident, don’t hesitate to ask the driver to stop in a public location or call for help.
How Can Recovery Law Center Help Me?
If you were the victim of someone posing as an Uber or Lyft driver, you could be entitled to personal injury compensation if you can prove that the driver assaulted you. Rideshare companies carry liability insurance that could be a source of compensation for you in a personal injury claim involving fake drivers, but these types of claims can be complex.
Let a compassionate Honolulu personal injury attorney at Recovery Law Center help you. We know you’ve been through a terrible ordeal. We can investigate your Uber injury claim and outline your legal options in a free consultation.
Call or contact our Oahu law firm today to get started.
