With the ease of ridesharing just a few swipes away, it’s no surprise to see that Uber and Lyft have a cult-like following of loyal fans. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft give individuals across the country the opportunity to work “self-employed” which is great, but what rights and regulations come with this?
The idea of letting someone else drive you from point A to point B is something that many people trust each day. With so many individuals trusting in rideshare services daily, we’ve put together the rights you have as a passenger using a rideshare service.
A Car No Less Than 15 Years Old
To help ensure each passenger receives a safe ride, Uber has a safety regulation stating that any vehicle used must be 15 years old or newer and must be properly insured. If your driver arrives in a vehicle that is clearly outside of these guidelines, be sure to reject the ride and report your incident to Uber, as the individual may not even be a qualified driver.
A Sober Driver and an Alcohol and Drug-Free Ride
When you order an Uber or Lyft to get home following a night of drinking, you are doing so thinking that you’re doing the responsible thing by not drinking and driving. Rightfully so, you expect your driver to be in a legal state to drive and not under the influence.
Not only is driving under the influence illegal, but Uber also doesn’t allow for their drivers to be under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, nor can they have drugs or alcohol in their vehicle during their time on the clock.
In addition to smelling of alcohol or drugs, some other signs your rideshare driver may be under the influence include:
- Not following the speed limit whether driving too fast or too slow
- Running stop lights or stop signs
- Swerving lanes
- Slurred speech
- Negligent behavior including blaring music or yelling
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Because preventing an accident as a passenger is in most cases much easier said than done, we have put together a list of what to do in the unfortunate event you find yourself injured due to a rideshare driver’s negligence.
Be sure to follow these steps following an Uber or Lyft accident:
- Seek medical attention – even if you feel you were not seriously harmed, be sure to get a full medical evaluation, as you never know what underlying injuries you may have. In addition to ensuring you are healthy, seeing a medical professional will document your injuries which will help in building your claim.
- Report the incident to the police – a police report will be beneficial for your personal injury claim. Calling the local police to the scene will also help ensure that everything pans out as it should between all parties involved.
- Report the accident on the rideshare app you were using – whether you were using Uber, Lyft or any of the other rideshare apps, be sure to report your accident through the application to create permanent documentation.
- Speak with a qualified rideshare attorney – finally, meeting with an experienced Philadelphia rideshare attorney will give you the best chance at seeking compensation.
Philadelphia Uber and Lyft Rideshare Attorney
Kwartler Manus, LLC is home of experienced Philadelphia rideshare attorneys ready to do whatever it takes to see our clients win. With many years of dealing with insurance companies, Kwartler Manus knows what needs to be done to win and does exactly that.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, our legal team would love to help. We work around the clock to help our clients get the compensation they deserve.