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Do you trust your Uber or Lyft driver to get you there safely?

On Behalf of | Jan 16, 2018 | Car Accidents |

Even in big cities like San Antonio, finding a cab can be a challenge. Fortunately, you can log into an app on your smartphone, and more than likely within a decent amount of time, a vehicle will pull up and give you a ride. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have seemingly revolutionized getting from one place to another without the need to call a taxi or to rent a car.

You may be under the impression that Uber and Lyft drivers must meet certain standards, receive some sort of training and are good drivers. Don’t count on it. News stories are full of accounts in which Uber and Lyft drivers caused accidents due to negligence. One woman on her way to a marathon on the East Coast found this out the hard way when she called Uber for a ride.

What happened to her?

In order to get to the woman’s destination, it was necessary to take the highway. She paid attention to the roadway in order to anticipate the exit needed in order to get where she was going. When she told the driver that exit was coming up in about a mile and a half, she never could have anticipated what the driver did next.

The driver abruptly turned the vehicle and careened across four lanes of traffic, essentially making a right turn at 70 mph. Another driver slammed into the Uber vehicle’s side at a high rate of speed, causing a serious crash. The woman fell unconscious due to of the impact and suffered what she describes as a serious injury to her knee that may prevent her from ever running in another marathon.

This could happen to you

Sadly, while seemingly extreme, this woman’s story may not be so unusual. Just about anyone with a valid driver’s license and a car can drive for these ride-sharing services. A lawsuit filed in the aftermath of this accident claims that the training and safety procedures Uber passes on to its drivers are seriously lacking. You may think that it would be reasonable to expect at least the following from an Uber or Lyft driver:

  • The driver understands road signs and traffic laws.
  • The driver would know how to control the vehicle.
  • The driver would not engage in dangerous and erratic behaviors behind the wheel.
  • The driver is able to read and understand English.

The scary fact is that you may end up with a driver who is lacking in one or more of these areas. The question is whether Uber and Lyft should take some legal responsibility for their drivers’ lack of skill.

What can you do if this does happen to you?

This example of how inadequate at least some of the drivers for Uber and Lyft may be could make you think twice before using their apps to call for a ride. However, if you do, and a serious accident occurs due to the negligence of your driver, you may pursue compensation for your injuries and other damages.

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