8 Safety Tips for Uber and Lyft Drivers in 2024

How to Stay Safe Behind the Wheel While Driving for Uber or Lyft

The rise of rideshare has been beneficial for drivers and riders alike. A rideshare driver is able to earn money using their own vehicle, and a rider benefits from the convenience and affordability of being able to request a ride to go to their destination.

It is essential for rideshare drivers to maintain the highest safety standards while they are on the job. This requires them to follow guidelines provided by Uber or Lyft, while also obeying California’s road rules.

Unfortunately, obstacles, such as reckless riders or other drivers, could impact a rideshare driver’s safety. This is why it is important for rideshare drivers to fully prepare themselves to react accordingly to certain types of situations.

In the section below, our skilled Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will thoroughly discuss safety tips that rideshare drivers should consider taking when they are in the process of either picking up or dropping off a rider.

If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident as a rideshare driver and would like to file a personal injury claim against the party at-fault, our 24/7 legal team will assess your case to determine necessary courses of action that will help get you the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, please contact us by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

Uber and Lyft Safety Tips for 2024

Use a Phone Mount

Rideshare drivers pick up riders according to the alerts that they receive on either the Uber or Lyft app. Directions are also displayed on these apps to inform the driver on what path would be the most ideal one to take to avoid heavy traffic. Rideshare drivers must pay attention to these important features to provide efficient service to the rider.

To have easier access to view these notifications, it would be essential for a driver to use a phone mount. A phone mount will allow the driver to have a better view of any notifications or directions the app is displaying. This will prevent the driver from taking his or her eyes off the road to open the Uber or Lyft app. It is suggested to place your phone mount on the dashboard of your vehicle for easier visibility.

Minimize Distractions From Riders

It can be tempting to take your eyes off the road and engage in a conversation with new riders in your vehicle. However, your first priority is to complete your task of safely dropping the rider off at their selected destination. Be sure to refrain from looking in the interior rear-view mirror for extended periods of time when speaking to the rider to avoid chances of getting into an accident.

Make Careful Observations When Driving on the Road

Once a rider enters your vehicle, you will be given the duty of care to safely transport them to their destination. You must keep your eyes on the road at all times and follow any traffic signs or lights you come across during a trip. You should not succumb to any requests from the rider that would require you to go against the rules of the road or guidelines established by Uber or Lyft.

Pay Attention to Any Unsafe Conditions When Accepting a New Rider

Before you begin your trip with a new rider, you should pay attention to any signs of whether the rider is sick, inebriated, or otherwise unsafe to transport. Once you begin your task, you automatically owe the rider a duty of care to keep them safe on the road.

Upon noticing that a rider may be in need of urgent medical attention, an Uber or Lyft driver should attempt to communicate with the rider to assess the severity of the situation. Do not hesitate to call 911 and report any medical emergency. You also have every right to pull over if it appears that the motion of driving is making the rider nauseous.

Prepare for the Unexpected With an Emergency Car Kit

Now that you understand that you have the responsibility of keeping your riders safe as an Uber or Lyft driver, it is a good idea to be prepared to handle an unexpected emergency while on the road. It can seem overwhelming at first to think of every emergency situation that you could possibly encounter while working as a rideshare driver, however, it is always a good idea to have an emergency kit ready at hand.

Some of the most important items that you should be sure to include in an emergency vehicle kit are the following:

• Water bottles
• Snack bars
• Flashlight with batteries
• Road hazard flare
• Duct tape
• Extra phone charger
• Basic first aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Spare tire
• Hand sanitizer

Complete Regular Vehicle Inspections

Vehicle inspections for all Uber and Lyft drivers is a major requirement that must be completed. Rideshare companies enforce an annual vehicle inspection to ensure that the vehicles being used are in good condition. To complete your required vehicle inspection, you can go to one of the Uber or Lyft vehicle inspection stations across the state.

There are other components of your vehicle that you can inspect on your own to prevent accidents. For example, you should never drive without working headlights and tail lights. You should also check your tire pressure so that you are not driving with underinflated or overinflated tires. It could impact your ability to drive safely in the rain or other hazardous weather conditions.

One of the regular maintenance tasks that you should always perform on your vehicle is making sure that the windshield glass is clear and that your wipers are functioning properly. You may need to replenish the windshield wiper fluid. Try to clear out any obstructions in your vehicle that get in your way of seeing the rear-view mirrors.

Avoid Drowsy Driving

While it can be tempting to stay on the clock and complete as many rides as possible, rideshare drivers should pay attention to their alertness, especially after they have been driving for a long period of time. Drowsiness or sleepiness while you are behind the wheel can make your reaction time much slower. You are also less likely to spot hazards or dangerous drivers on the road. Be sure to take enough breaks to give your body the energy it needs to endure a long day of driving.

Know Your Personal Auto Insurance Coverage

No matter how safe you are behind the wheel, accidents can still happen when you least expect it to. That is why it is important to understand how you are covered through your auto insurance policy. 

Do not make the mistake of thinking that you do not have to have personal auto insurance just because Uber and Lyft have insurance policies available for their rideshare drivers.It is important to get in contact with a Lyft and Uber Accident attorney as soon as possible. While there is an auto insurance policy in place for Uber and Lyft drivers in the act of accepting riders through the app, many rideshare drivers also use their vehicles for personal reasons.

Personal car use would be anything that does not involve being paid through the Uber or Lyft app to drive a rider to their selected destination.

California established state minimums for auto insurance coverage that all drivers must maintain as long as they own a vehicle registered in California. Under state law, the categories of auto insurance coverage that you are required to maintain when using your vehicle for personal use include the following:

• Property damage liability coverage
• Bodily injury liability coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist property damage coverage

Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers Today 

When someone else’s negligence is the main factor of your Uber or Lyft accident, you

will be given the right to file a lawsuit against that party. A skilled Uber and Lyft Accident lawyer at West Coast Trial Lawyers is available 24/7 to provide legal assistance. We will help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.

Our firm proudly offers no-cost, risk-free consultations to Uber and Lyft accident victims. Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to claim yours today.