How to Protect Yourself from Accidents as a Ridesharing Passenger

Ridesharing is a great way to save yourself some time and money as you travel the world or as you travel your hometown. Ridesharing companies have worked hard to create a healthy and safe environment for their passengers, but no system is foolproof. If you want to stay out of ridesharing accidents, you should do the following.

Taking Safety Precautions

Just like any other car, you need to be wearing your seatbelt. Many people think that they aren’t legally required to wear a seatbelt in a ridesharing vehicle. While exact regulations may vary from place to place, in general this isn’t true. Other people find it inconvenient to take the few seconds to buckle and unbuckle as they climb in and out. While time is precious, it’s worth spending a few seconds to put on a seatbelt if it prevents death or serious injury. Still other people find that they can’t put on a seatbelt because they’ve crammed too many passengers inside. Keep in mind that having more passengers than seatbelts is illegal and could land you and the driver in serious trouble.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Insurance claims can be a tricky business. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to get compensation from the rideshare company, the driver’s insurance, or the insurance of the other vehicle driver in case of an accident. However, it’s also possible that you could be left with only partial coverage for medical bills or nothing at all. Buying travel insurance can help take care of this problem for you. There are many different types of travel insurance so make sure to select a policy that meets your individual needs.

Secure Your Belongings

Even in the case of a minor fender bender, you can be seriously injured by objects flying around within the vehicle. Heavy objects can cause head injuries and bruising, and hot objects like coffee can cause burns. When you get into a ridesharing vehicle, be sure to stow your belongings securely. You may want to place backpacks and bulky items in the trunk of the car. If you take them into the car with you, place them at your feet.

Check Before Entering A Car

Before you get in a ridesharing car, make sure that the car is safe. Give the car a good once over. Does it sound right? Are there signs of previous accidents? Do the tires have adequate tread? These things can give you an indication to the likelihood of an accident or breakdown. Be sure that you confirm the license plate and driver before getting in. You don’t want to end up in the car of somebody that is pretending to be your driver but isn’t. Some drivers may want to rush you so that they can work quickly and earn more. Don’t let that deter you from making sure you are safe. If you don’t feel safe, dismiss the driver, and find other transportation.

Driver Ratings

Nearly every ridesharing website and/or app allows previous passengers to leave reviews for their drivers. When selecting a driver, be sure to look at those reviews for red flags. Red flags in a driver review could include items like dangerous driving practices. These practices include speeding, tailgating, running lights, cutting off cars, and braking hard. Other red flags to watch out for are drivers with aggressive personalities or that have been rude or crude in their comments.

When Preventative Measures Aren’t Enough

Even with your best efforts, you still may find yourself a passenger in a car that gets into an accident. If you are in an accident, you may find it difficult to convince insurance agencies and the rideshare company to give you fair treatment. Being a regular civilian, you’ll probably get legal jargon thrown at you and be given the run-around as you make your calls. If this is your situation, you need backup. Lawyers offer free consultations as a way for those injured in car accidents to decide if they want to move forward with hiring the lawyer. In many cases, you won’t have to pay the lawyer unless they succeed in getting you adequate compensation.

While the above preventative tips may seem inconvenient or excessive, they can save your life. They also don’t take very much time. By employing these tips, you will be investing in a brighter, happier, healthier future for yourself.

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