Rideshare Safety Guide 2023

Generally speaking, ridesharing is more than 99.99 percent safe whether you’re using Uber or Lyft. However, issues do occur. In 2019 and 2020, for example, there were over 4,800 safety incidents during U.S. Lyft and Uber rides.¹ But out of billions of trips total, these companies have safety incident rates of 0.0005 percent and 0.0003 percent, respectively.²

The Risks of Ridesharing

Ridesharing comes with risks like sexual assault, car crashes, traffic fatalities, and physical assault. In the most recent data, Uber had lower rates in all categories when compared to Lyft, except for physical assault.

Overall, in 2019 and 2020, Uber’s safety incident rate was 46 percent lower than Lyft’s.

Driver Screenings

One of the ways these rideshare companies keep their safety incident rates low is by screening drivers.

• Uber: Every Uber driver in the U.S. is required to complete a background check before they drive for the company. Uber vets its current drivers annually and asks drivers to take selfies to confirm their identities frequently.
• Lyft: Similarly, Lyft performs background checks before drivers can start, as well as on an annual basis. The company continuously monitors its drivers for criminal convictions and requires drivers to take a safety program with RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, which fights sexual assault.³

In addition to screening their drivers, Uber and Lyft both have built-in technology in their apps that keeps riders safe on trips.

Uber

• Trusted Contacts: This allows you to let people know your geographic location from the Uber app itself; you can even set reminders to share your trip details with the people you trust the most.
• Safety button: If you need help, you can call the police from the app. However, you’ll have to inform them of your location and trip details verbally, as they won’t automatically receive this information from the app, unlike with Lyft’s app.
• RideCheck: The app will track your GPS location, and Uber has a dedicated team to provide support. If the app detects a crash or long stop that wasn’t expected, both the driver and the rider will receive a notification asking if they are OK. If they’re not, they can use the emergency button or make a report to the company’s Safety Line. Uber’s safety team may also call the driver/rider and even help with the insurance claims process in the event of a crash.

Lyft

• Smart Trip Check-In: Lyft monitors rides for strange activity, like a long stop or a deviation from a route. If it detects unusual activity, the app will ask you if you need help and will make sure you arrive at your destination.
• Share destination: Similar to Uber’s Trusted Contacts feature, this feature allows you to share your location with trusted contacts.
• ADT partnership: You may think of ADT as only a home security company, but as of 2019, ADT can protect you during rideshares as well.⁴ If you’re feeling unsafe in a Lyft, you can contact ADT from the Lyft app. The staffer on the other end will alert the authorities for you and share your ride details, such as your geolocation and the vehicle’s license plate number, with police. Unlike with Uber, you won’t be required to say this information out loud, which could further compromise your safety.

Even though rideshare safety incidents are rare, thanks to the driver screenings and technology Uber and Lyft have in place, there are still tips you should follow to increase your protection even more.

For Riders

1. Check ratings. Although you may not be able to choose your driver, always check their rating and prior experience before entering the vehicle.
2. Confirm information. Make sure the car that arrives is the correct make and model, and that the license plate number matches the one in the app. Confirm the driver’s name and have them confirm yours.
3. Use the rideshare app to tip. It’s best not to tip in cash. Instead, pay through the app.
4. Don’t share personal information. While it’s OK to chat with the driver, don’t share any personally identifiable information (PII), such as your full name, mailing address, phone number, email, or Social Security number.
5. Request your ride from inside. Request your trip while inside your current location, and wait there until the car arrives. Standing outside alone isn’t always safe, especially at night.
6. Share your location. Take advantage of rideshare apps’ safety features and share your geolocation with friends and family.
7. Sit in the back seat. You’re safer in the backseat, both to protect you in a car crash and to lessen your chances of assault.
8. Wear your seat belt. It’s always a good idea to wear seat belts, even if they’re not a legal requirement in your state. If you get into a car accident, they reduce the risk of injury and death.
9. Track your route. Aside from sharing your location with friends, watch your trip on the map to monitor your progress and ensure you’re traveling the correct route.
10. Call for help. If you feel unsafe, use the safety button in the app to call for help (or use a third-party app, which we discuss more below).
11. End the trip. You can always end the trip if you don’t feel safe. Don’t feel obligated to finish it just because you paid for it. Ask the driver to pull over and get out of the car instead.

Hopefully, you’re able to always use rideshare services without incident. However, if you need to report an Uber or Lyft driver, you can do so via their respective mobile apps or websites.

Uber

1. Log in on the mobile app or online at https://auth.uber.com/v2/?breeze_local_zone=dca24&next_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.uber.com%2Fverify-session%2F&state=fhw3dHkZQDwi0baMK7efWT-Hp1yZlWGXBvlfswlw8MY%3D.
2. Click “Help with a trip.”
3. Click “Feedback about the driver or vehicle.”
4. Click on the trip you want to report.
5. Click “Next.”
6. Select your feedback.
7. Write any additional details.
8. Click “Submit.”

Lyft

1. Log in on the mobile app or online at https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/all/requests/loginprompt?ticket_form_id=724707.
2. Click “I’m a rider.”
3. Click “Something happened during my ride.”
4. Click “Feedback on driver.”
5. Click on your issue.
6. Follow the prompts.

Should You Call a Lawyer?

Since laws about rideshare companies differ by state, whether you should call a lawyer following an accident or safety incident depends on where you live. In New York, for example, you may be able to sue following an Uber accident caused by one or more of the following issues.

• Product liability: Illegal product implementation on roadways, like the Uber driver not watching the road properly because they were pairing with new riders for their next ride
• Driver negligence: Negligent conduct, like the driver failing to stop at a stop sign or speeding
• Manufacturer defects: Vehicle problems, like flat tires or faulty brakes⁶

Although Uber and Lyft have safety features built into their apps, there are third-party safety apps you can download as well.

Life360

Just like the Uber and Lyft apps, the Life360 app lets you share your location with your “Circle,” get help with an SOS button, and reach 24/7 emergency assistance. The company also offers protection against identity theft and roadside assistance with some plans.⁷

Noonlight

Noonlight is a similar app to Life360, with much more functionality on iPhones than Androids. It has a safety button, and with the Advanced Profile, it can share your medical information with first responders.⁸ Noonlight is significantly cheaper than Life360 but has fewer features.

>> Related: Car Insurance for First Responders

If you want the most protection, Life360’s got you covered. You can save money with Noonlight, but keep in mind that the available features are similar to the functions already built into the Uber and Lyft apps, and the Android usability is limited.

Whether you’re a rider looking to feel safer on trips or a driver wanting to learn about rideshare insurance, it’s important to do whatever you can to protect yourself from crashes, assaults, injuries, and death. That said, Lyft and Uber trips are overwhelmingly safe, so if you take the proper precautions and use the technology at hand, you probably won’t have any issues when ridesharing.