Distracted Driving: What to Do If Your Rideshare Driver is Texting
Rideshare apps and services are incredibly common today. Most people feel perfectly comfortable using their smartphone to request a ride from Uber, Lyft, or another service.
These services are cost-effective and can be very convenient. However, they can also raise difficult questions and decisions if the driver is behaving negligently.
No one should text while driving. According to some research, texting while driving increases the likelihood of a car accident by 600%.
If your rideshare driver is texting and driving, you may be uncertain about what to do. Below, we will offer several steps to take if your rideshare driver is texting.
Ask to Be Let Out
When your driver is texting, they are more likely to cause an accident. This could result in significant physical harm and financial losses for you.
Because of the danger of riding with a distracted driver, it is reasonable to ask the driver to let you out at the next convenient place. You are not under an obligation to travel to your intended destination.
Ask Them to Stop Texting
If you decide not to get out of the vehicle, you can ask the driver to stop texting. You are the customer, and the driver is providing a service.
You should not have to worry that you are in danger because of their negligent behavior. In many locations, driving while texting is prohibited by law.
Report the Driver Using the App
If you are using an app-based rideshare service, you can report the person’s dangerous driving to the company. Many rideshare apps have a way to report employees’ negligent behavior.
Whether you decide to exit the car or complete your trip, reporting dangerous drivers can help to prevent future collisions. This can also help other rideshare customers to reject rides with negligent drivers.
Pursue Financial Compensation Following an Accident
Because of the increased risk, some rideshare drivers who text will cause collisions. If you are involved in a crash because your rideshare driver was texting, you can pursue financial compensation for any damage.
Both Lyft and Uber carry the same coverage for rideshare accidents:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Rideshare cases can be complex. That is why you should speak with a legal professional following a crash.
Contact the Harlan Law Firm
If you are looking for the best legal representation in the Portland/Vancouver Metro area, look no further. The experienced team at the Harlan Law Firm has the knowledge and skills to recover the compensation that you deserve.
You should not have to bear the financial burdens caused by a rideshare driver’s negligence. Contact the Harlan Law Firm today!