Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft offer many benefits. These include allowing people to make new friends and acquaintances, network with others, and easily get around to places they might not otherwise access in an affordable way.
We must be aware of the dangers and downsides, regardless. The news has been plagued with stories about attacks on passengers and drivers alike and about riders getting into the wrong car and being kidnapped or worse. Learn about the darker side of Uber and the disadvantages of ridesharing, as well as where to go for help if something unfortunate or tragic occurs in one of these vehicles.
Disadvantages of Ridesharing
Despite the many advantages of Uber and Lyft, there are also dangers and disadvantages of ridesharing. There have been accusations of improper background checks for drivers. The pricing is not stable on these vehicles, and drivers can game the system to charge more. The algorithms can actually end up seeing you pay more than you otherwise would. Finally, drivers don’t always have the right insurance to cover the use of their car for business.
Improper Background Checks
Many of the complaints about violence and inappropriate behavior perpetrated by drivers have revealed that at least some of these drivers have had criminal backgrounds that would have been revealed had proper background checks been implemented. Uber and Lyft claim to have fixed this oversight in recent years, but in truth, rideshare drivers don’t have to be certified like taxi drivers, which inherently opens up dangers.
Unstable Pricing
Uber’s system uses algorithms to determine peak and off-peak times, vastly increasing the prices for rides at peak periods. This “surge pricing” can help to evaporate the advertised cost savings of Uber. Many riders find that while the wait time is longer, hiring a traditional taxicab or taking a bus or metro rail service for shorter rides is actually a greater cost savings.
In addition, some drivers will try to game the system by taking the longest route possible to get to a destination or will take advantage of traffic and stops to charge more. While the ratings system is in place to weed out drivers who do these things, there are always some who slip through. Thus, while ridesharing services advertise themselves as (and can sometimes be) a cost-saving means of transportation, riders can also pay more than for traditional transport.
Insurance Issues
When you are in an Uber or Lyft, and you get into an accident, you reasonably expect that the driver’s insurance (or Lyft or Uber’s) will cover any injuries you suffer. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Rideshares consider their drivers independent contractors, which makes them responsible for their own insurance. Most insurance companies don’t allow personal insurance to cover business use of a vehicle, and if the driver doesn’t have a business policy, you could run into complications.
Getting Help From an Uber Attorney
If you get injured while you’re in a rideshare, you are entitled to compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered, regardless of whether the driver has proper insurance. There are options available, but you need help from a qualified and experienced Lyft and Uber attorney. Contact Gruber Law Group in the San Francisco Bay area and give us a call for a free consultation today.
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