Ubers have become increasingly popular over the past few years, giving people an easy and cost-effective way to get from Point A to Point B without having to purchase a vehicle themselves or rely on public transportation. Even if you own a car, there are still many instances where taking an Uber makes more sense and is convenient. But what people don’t always consider is that not every Uber driver is the same, and some may be better and safer drivers than others.
Before stepping foot in your next Uber here are the top red flags to watch for when taking an Uber home.
Always Check the License Plate Before Getting In
The first red flag is very obvious and should be checked before getting in the car. You want to be sure the license plate on the vehicle matches the one that appears in the app. If it doesn’t match with the app, or even worse they don’t have a license plate, do not get into the vehicle. The car needs to be traceable, just in case.
The Car Doesn’t Look or Sound Well Maintained
Driving for Uber is a job and for that reason, it should be approached professionally. If your Uber driver shows up in a car that looks beat up, sounds like it wants to give up, and isn’t well maintained inside, it’s not exactly a professional experience that you will get. There’s also the fact you could end up stranded somewhere when the car does break down.
Canceling the Ride – Asking for Direct Payment
Another red flag is the driver canceling the ride and instead asking that you pay them directly. This may seem like a harmless way to make cash under the table but you need to think about your well-being. Should the Uber driver get an in accident while you’re in the vehicle, you won’t be covered by their insurance since technically the ride was canceled. There’s also the fact the driver may be trying to over-charge you for the ride, which is why they want cash only.
Stay firm and do not agree to the cancelation. If they insist, you’re better to call for another ride and report their actions to Uber.
The Uber Driver Is Rude with You from the Get-Go
Working in a customer-facing industry means a certain amount of people skills are required. Disrespect and rudeness are something that you, as a passenger shouldn’t have to deal with from your driver. While you may not be able to do much about it once in the vehicle, you can and should leave them a low rating. It’s best to warn others of your experience.
Sit In The Back – On the Passenger’s Side
As for where to sit in the Uber vehicle, regardless of what the driver requests, the backseat on the passenger’s side is always the safest spot. You and the driver will have a clear line of sight of each other, which offers peace of mind.
The Driver Has Friends in the Front Seat
If the driver shows up and has friends in the car, this can seem very suspicious and is another red flag. It’s best to skip that ride and call for another car. You don’t know what the reasoning is behind the extra person, so it’s not worth taking the chance.
Suffered a Personal Injury – You May Be Eligible for Compensation
Sometimes red flags aren’t so easy to spot, or perhaps despite all your caution an incident still manages to occur while taking an Uber home. If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of your Uber driver it’s best to speak to us at Denmon Pearlman Law. We’ll take a close look at your potential case, advising you of your best course of action. If you’re eligible to file a compensation claim, we’ll fight to ensure you get a fair settlement.
Depending on how serious the car accident was, your compensation can be used to cover medical treatment expenses, disability benefits, pain and suffering, and lost wages. There is no reason you should be settling for less than what you deserve.
We invite you to come in and speak to us at one of our following offices:
- Tampa – 2504 W Crest Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
- Petersburg – 520 2nd Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- New Port Richey – 5703 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652
- Brooksville – 1790 E Jefferson St., Brooksville, FL 34601
- Seminole – 5290 Seminole Blvd. Suite D, St. Petersburg, FL 33708
You can also call now for a free consultation at (800) 800-4300.