How to Stay Safe When Using New Jersey Rideshare Companies
In theory, taking a ride in a rideshare vehicle sounds like a great idea. You just have to use your smartphone, wherever you may be, and hail a ride to where you need to go. However, many people have come to the conclusion that rideshares may not be as good as they seem. What began as a new idea for getting around town has now turned into a nightmare for many. The convenience of Uber and Lyft is amazing, but the downsides can be plain dangerous.
When You Drive, Practice Safety
In the cities with the highest rate of rideshare users, drivers have risen nearly 3% compared to cities with lower rates of Uber and Lyft usage. The overall impact is that there are more cars on the road, and in most cases, there were already too many, to begin with. Over-crowded roadways set the scene for serious collisions. This reality means that when you are driving your own vehicle you stay vigilant, cautious, and practical.
Understand that Uber & Lyft Drivers May Bee Stressed or Anxious
There are reports of Lyft and Uber drivers banding together in order to advocate for better working conditions at these rideshare giants. One such example is the Alliance for Independent Workers. This organization claims that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are forcing their drivers to work long hours while suffering from poverty, despair, and in severe cases, suicide. Even in New York City, there was a story about a Lyft driver who committed suicide, the ninth known suicide case involving a taxi or ridesharing driver in the city since 2017.
Many rideshare drivers are by the manner and amount they receive as payment for their services. Some drivers have claimed that their earnings have been decreasing in recent years, in some cases reducing by 20%. Stressed drivers do not make for safe drivers. If the driver of a car is distracted or suffering from anxiety-based issues, it is best to exit the vehicle as soon as possible.
Be Aware that Not All Uber & Lyft Drivers Are Who They Claim to Be
There have been cases when people have impersonated Uber drivers. One such case involved a young woman in South Carolina who was kidnapped and murdered by a man who claimed to be an Uber driver. There have been up to two dozen such attacks in the past. This kind of crime involves driver suspects who have attacked many victims, usually women. These rare but nightmarish crimes have happened in Connecticut, Chicago, and other cities.
There is hope in the form of new legislation to prevent these crimes. For example, South Carolina has proposed new legislation that would require all Uber, rideshare, or Lyft drivers to display a lighted sign on or in their vehicle.
There has even been a new campaign started at the University of South Carolina that urges riders to ask the driver if they know their name. The valid driver will know the passenger’s name because of the electronic message sent to hail the vehicle.
Bring Your Car Seat
If you are riding with an infant or toddler, you have to make sure that the young one has a proper car seat appropriate for his or her age. It is not the responsibility of the rideshare driver to have this equipment on hand. Also, Lyft and Uber both require that children under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent. The driver may get in trouble for allowing children to ride with no guardian present. Parents need to be vigilant and make sure that they never their child hail a rideshare vehicle on his or her own.
Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Safety
Here at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, we are pleased when crashes are prevented in our community and we can all stay safe. However, contact one of our New Jersey car crash attorneys if you need help with any problems that may arise due to the negligence of Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare business. Contact our local firms in Kearny, Hackensack, or New Vernon today.
Uber/Lyft Crash Attorneys in New Jersey
While many have applauded rideshare companies for making the roads safer, recent studies have shown that this may not be the case. There have been recent studies establishing a link between the creation of Uber and an increase in roadway fatalities in the United States. Across the country, traffic fatalities have been on the rise, with some sources reporting a 2 to 3% rise in reported roadway deaths in recent years. This means an additional 1,100 people are dying annually, but why this is the case is not exactly clear at this time. More Uber drivers mean that there are more cars on the road and more miles being driven, and many drivers for Uber and Lyft are not provided the necessary training to make sure that they will not put their passengers in danger.
Those who are injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle should consult with an Uber/Lyft crash lawyer in New Jersey immediately in order to better understand their legal options. The legal team at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC is here to help you make sure that your case is treated fairly and that the liable driver is held accountable for his or her actions. We will fight to make sure that you recover the compensation you deserve so that your life can get back on track. Contact our New Jersey personal injury attorneys today at (201) 997- 0030 if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a crash involving a rideshare driver.