Tips to Stay Safe When Riding Solo in New Jersey Ubers

Blog,Ridesharing • July 29, 2020

Whenever you are using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, it is crucial to take a few necessary safety precautions. This is not just so you can be safe in the event of a New Jersey car accident. Uber accidents can happen to anyone. Even with a responsible rideshare driver in New Jersey, you are just as likely to be involved in a crash. However, some of the most terrible Uber and Lyft related accidents occur when a passenger travels alone without taking necessary steps to keep themselves safe from the driver. In the past, riders have been picked up by the wrong vehicle and kidnapped or attacked by the Uber or Lyft driver in certain cases.

For both men and women, regardless of age, riding alone can pose the same risk as taking a ride home from someone you do not know very well. Certain things are just common sense, but there is also a procedure that you can follow to make your Uber or Lyft ride as safe as you can.

Text a Friend

While waiting for your driver to arrive, you should text a friend. Text three friends if you are not sure someone will be awake or near their phone. Let them know that you are getting an Uber and how long to wait before they should hear from you again. If your friend does not hear from you, they will know to contact the authorities.

This is a smart safety tip in case you run into an issue with the driver or your Uber vehicle is involved in a crash and you are unable to send another text.

Check the License Plate

When a vehicle arrives that you believe is your Uber, you should not just get in. Your Uber order will provide you with the license plate of the vehicle. Only get into a car that has the same license plates. If the driver says they are using another vehicle, cancel the ride and call a new one.

Check the Driver

You should then check the photo and name of the rideshare driver. Look at the driver and make sure that it is the same person, then ask the driver to give their name. Do not ask for a specific name. If they say the right name and appearance, get in the vehicle. If not, you should cancel the ride and hail another.

Get into the Backseat & Wear a Seatbelt

Do not get into the front seat of the rideshare. Many passengers have been attacked due to sitting too close to the driver. We recommend that riders going solo get into the back passenger-side seat so that they are furthest from the driver as possible, and then always be sure to wear a seatbelt. This will keep you safe in the event of a crash.

Say You Are Expected at Your Destination

You should never share any personal information with the rideshare driver. You should tell the driver that someone is waiting for you at your destination. Even if you are just going home to an empty house, if your driver believes you are expected, they will be less likely to attack or harm you. It may sound dramatic, but it happens more often than most would like to admit.

Share Your Trip with a Friend

In the rideshare app, you have the option to share your trip with a friend. You should take advantage of this feature. It does not matter who it is as long as they are awake and care about your safety. This feature allows them to see your trip, your driver, and your estimated time of arrival without even having to download the app. This provides you with an extra line of defense.

Have Your Phone Ready to Dial 911

Lastly, keep your phone in your hand and ready. Be prepared to dial 911 if needed. If you are involved in a crash or the driver gives you a reason to be afraid, being prepared to contact 911 will make sure that the police will be on their way. If you start to get a bad feeling, just have 911 ready with your thumb over the call button.

New Jersey rideshare accidents happen, both car accidents and disasters between drivers and passengers. If you have been in an Uber or Lyft accident in New Jersey, contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso today to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.

Uber/Lyft Accidents in New Jersey

While many have applauded rideshare companies for making the roads safer, recent studies have shown that this may not be the case. There have been recent studies establishing a link between the creation of Uber and an increase in roadway fatalities in the United States. Across the country, traffic fatalities have been on the rise, with some sources reporting a 2 to 3% rise in reported roadway deaths in recent years. This means an additional 1,100 people are dying annually, but why this is the case is not exactly clear at this time. More Uber drivers mean that there are more cars on the road and more miles being driven, and many drivers for Uber and Lyft are not provided the necessary training to make sure that they will not put their passengers in danger.

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