There is no excuse for feeling stranded anymore if your car is out of commission or you want to enjoy an evening out without worrying about driving home. Ridesharing is a convenient and relatively affordable way to get where you need to go. With the help of an app on your smart phone, you can request a ride, and a participating driver will pick you up in his or her own vehicle and take you to your destination. You pay on your app, and it couldn’t be easier.
What you may not know is that the person driving you to your destination may not have your safety in mind. In fact, a recent survey of ridesharing customers reveals that a significant portion of passengers do not feel safe with the behaviors of their drivers.
Shocking report
If you take advantage of ridesharing services, you are among nearly 600 million who have discovered this reliable and efficient mode of transportation. In Tampa and other major US cities, using rideshare services is more popular than calling a cab or utilizing public transportation. Still, those who drive for Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing companies have to meet very low standards to qualify, such as having a vehicle, a driver’s license and valid insurance. It may come as no surprise that many customers report rideshare drivers doing the following:
- Watching videos while driving
- Texting
- Viewing social media behind the wheel
- Engaging in road rage behavior
- Driving while impaired
More than a third of surveyed ridesharing customers say their drivers were reckless behind the wheel, which means driving in a manner that shows no concern for your safety or the safety of others on the road. In recent years, a single ridesharing company reported more than 100 fatalities involving their drivers.
Looking out for yourself
At the end of the ride, you have the option of rating your driver, and you should always be honest, particularly if you did not feel safe as a passenger. If you ever feel endangered in a rideshare situation, you should end the ride as soon as it is safe to exit the vehicle. Reporting the driver to the rideshare company may prevent others from taking the same risk.
However, if you are injured in an accident while using a rideshare driver, you may find yourself facing some complicated legal decisions. You will want to obtain the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and suffering, so you may benefit from the guidance of an experienced legal professional.
