Injured or Assaulted by an Uber Driver?

A former driver for Uber and Lyft was charged with assault on several female passengers while on the job in California, according to Escondido police. Investigators say there are more victims. A college student reported she was assaulted last week after requesting an Uber car near San Diego. The woman told police the driver picked her up on a college campus and proceeded to turn off the Uber app. She texted her friends to tell them she was uncomfortable and he drove her to another location. There he attacked her in his vehicle. Later that day the driver, Jeremy Vague, was arrested by police at his home. During the investigation, detectives discovered other victims of the same driver.

Safety Tips

Both Uber and Lyft have safety guidelines in place for drivers and passengers, such as Uber’s background check service Checkr. But past behavior may not always accurately predict future behavior. So if a driver has no past criminal history and passes the background check, perhaps has never even been in a car accident- that does not mean passengers are completely safe. It is a good idea to follow safety precautions before hiring a rideshare service.

• Confirm Identity: Before getting in the vehicle, confirm that the drivers photo, make & model and license plate of the car matches what Uber or Lyft sent to you.
• Check driver ratings: Uber and Lyft allow users to rate their drivers. Read these ratings.
• Ride in the backseat: Many of the assault incidents have involved passengers sitting in the front seat of the car.
• Don’t ride alone: Try not to be alone in the car if possible. Don’t drink too much which can cause arguments between drivers and passengers.
• Don’t give cash: Uber and Lyft charge directly to a credit card. If a driver requests cash, that’s a red flag.

Ridesharing Reduces Car Accidents

A study by MADD says that ridesharing services are cutting down on car accidents and injuries. This is a huge positive. However, with the popularity of these ridesharing apps rapidly increasing, we may see an increase in different types of incidents such as rider/driver assault situations like this. If you or a loved one have been involved in a similar situation or in a car accident in RI or MA, you need legal advice now. Do not delay. You need the experience of the best personal injury lawyer to help you. Contact Dave Tapalian, your injury attorney in RI and MA, for a free case evaluation. For a free consultation, call (401) 552-5000 or email me here .