Using Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services has become a popular way to get around Florida. Fortunately, most of these rides and interactions with drivers are perfectly safe. However, there have been instances of people posing as Uber drivers nationwide. In order to stay safe, avoid a scam, and protect yourself, the Tampa rideshare lawyers at Brooks Law Group put together the following tips for you.
Uber Safety Guidelines & Uber Safety Tips
Uber has published safety guidelines that are designed to help riders detect driver fraud. These tips include:
- Make your ride request while you’re inside, reducing the amount of time that you’re standing alone outside.
- Check your ride by ensuring that the driver’s license plate matches up with your digital ride request screen.
- Ask the driver to confirm your name (which drivers are supposed to do when picking you up anyway).
- Sit in the back seat of the vehicle if you’re riding alone, which will give you more options for exiting the vehicle if need be.
- Make sure someone else, like a trusted friend or family member, knows your trip details.
- Trust yourself. If you feel as though you’re in an urgent situation or unsafe, exit the vehicle, call the police, or use the emergency 911 button on the Uber app.
How to Spot a Fake Uber/Lyft Driver
Spotting a fake Uber or Lyft driver can be difficult. It’s easy to get an Uber or Lyft logo or decal that looks like the real thing. When you’re looking for your rideshare, don’t merely look for the Uber/Lyft icon. Instead, look for the vehicle make, model, color, and license plate that is shown in your app. If a vehicle pulls up that does not match the description provided on your app, do not enter it.
If the vehicle does match, still exercise caution. Ask the driver who they are picking up rather than offering your name, and make sure that the driver’s photo (shown on your app) matches who’s picking you up.
What if I’m Not Comfortable with my Uber Driver?
Even if you confirm that your driver works for Uber, that doesn’t mean that you should feel — or are — safe. Trust your instincts. You maintain the right to cancel the ride, refuse to get in the vehicle, ask the driver to stop at any point, and exit the vehicle on your own when it is safe to do so. If the situation feels especially dangerous, use the emergency button on your app to call the police or dial 911. The most important thing is your safety.
How Can Brooks Law Group Help Me?
Brooks Law Group is a personal injury law firm representing clients in Tampa, Winter Haven, Lakeland, and the surrounding communities. If you were assaulted by a fake Uber or Lyft driver, you could have to rights for compensation for your injuries. Our experienced Florida rideshare attorneys can explain your legal options in a free consultation.
Call or contact us today to schedule your no-obligation, no-cost case review.
