Uber and other rideshare services have aggressively competed with taxicab services all over the country. For many people looking for convenient rides to their next destination, Uber has become the better option. However, many recent incidents have left many riders with the following question: is taking a taxi safer than taking an Uber? The answer to that question might vary depending on who you ask. The truth is that there is not extensive data to prove that either taxi riders or Uber rides are safer than the other.
In the News
Both Uber and taxicabs have been involved in a variety of incidents that resulted in innocent passengers suffering some type of harm. When was the last time you heard of an Uber incident involving the assault of a passenger, for example? When was the last time you heard the same of a taxicab?
Today, it is more common to learn about incidents involving Uber drivers. However, the frequency of Uber incidents does not necessarily have anything to do with Uber’s safety. On the contrary, Uber incidents are often in the limelight because of the company’s success. Uber is the leading rideshare company at the moment; therefore, it is constantly getting attention—positive and negative attention, alike.
On the other hand, there are many different taxi companies, most of which are local and run on a small-scale. Because of that, incidents often go under the radar and do not get much media attention. Therefore, it could be easy to assume that passengers are generally safer in taxis than in Ubers.
Key Differences between Taxis and Ubers
Without a doubt, taxis are very different that Ubers. Consider the following differences. Taxi drivers must pass criminal background checks and have an acceptable driving record. Taxi drivers remain anonymous at all time; passengers do not know who is picking them up until they get into the vehicle. Taxi passengers do not have a record of their ride after the ride is complete. Taxis also accept cash transactions, so passengers often have to carry cash. Uber also requires their drivers to pass background checks and have a clean driving record; however, there is a strict zero-tolerance policy that is not present for taxis. In contrast to taxis, Uber rides are never anonymous; passengers have access to important pieces of information prior to getting into the Uber vehicle. Uber’s technology allows riders to have access to the trip information in real-time and after the trip is over. Uber rides are also automatically charged to the payment method associated with the account; therefore, passengers and drivers are not required to exchange any form of payment.
There are other key differences between Uber and taxi companies. For instance, taxi drivers are required to undergo meticulous training. Taxi vehicles often are equipped with standard safety features such as video cameras, glass dividers, and GPS trackers installed in the vehicle. Although Uber provides GPS tracking through the mobile application, glass dividers, video cameras, and other safety features often do not come standard in vehicles.
Another major difference between Uber and taxi companies is clear in the way that incidents are handled. According to Uber, any allegations against a driver, such as assault allegations, are enough to warrant immediate deactivation. During the time that Uber investigates the allegation, deactivated drivers cannot access the Uber app and, therefore, cannot access other passengers. Unfortunately, many victims do not report the harm that they suffered immediately after the incident. Therefore, the drivers continue to have access to passengers and could continue attacking other unsuspecting drivers. With Uber, communication is key. As soon as a victim reports the incident, the driver will lose access to the app. On the other hands, taxi drivers are only removed from their position only after victims file criminal charges.
Supporting Evidence
Unfortunately, law enforcement does not keep a record of the harm suffered by Uber passengers or taxi passengers. Statistics are based on the type of incident. For instance, all assault incidents would be within the same category, but there is no distinction between Uber assaults and taxi assaults. Therefore, there are no statistics that prove or disprove whether taxis are safer than Ubers. Although there are not enough statistics regarding the matter, there are enough anecdotes for both taxi passengers and Uber riders to be concerned about their safety.
Were You Harmed in an Uber or in a Taxi?
Without a doubt, both Uber drivers and taxi drivers could act inappropriately and harm their passengers. Although there is not enough data to answer questions regarding what type of transportation is safer, you must know that you could take action if you were harmed in an Uber or in a taxi. If your Uber driver or taxi driver attacked you, assaulted you, raped you, molested you, or did anything to you that caused you any sort of harm, you could take action.
You could file a claim against Uber or the taxi company, depending on the details of your incident. If you suffered injuries at the hands of an Uber or taxi driver, you must seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The attorneys at Normandie Law Firm have many years of experience handling both taxi and Uber incident claims, and they are ready to handle your claim and help you recover the compensation that you deserve. If you would like to speak with our attorneys after you were harmed in an Uber or a taxi, you could contact us and benefit from our free legal services.
During our free legal services (free consultations and free second opinions), our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions and concerns, while providing you with all the information that you might need to pursue a claim against Uber or a taxi company. Whether you are interested in starting your claim or you have already started your claim with an incompetent attorney, you could trust that our lawyers could provide you with the legal assistance that you need. Do not hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm to discuss your Uber or taxi claim with our attorneys.
You could speak with our lawyers without having to worry about paying upfront legal fees because of our Zero-Fee guarantee; our firm is also based on contingency, so clients are not required to pay legal expenses reaching a successful claim outcome. If you would like our lawyers to provide you with the legal assistance that you need to pursue a claim after you were attacked during a ride, you must contact our firm today.
More Information on Uber Accidents
What to Do After an Uber Accident
How to File an Accident Report with Uber
How to Increase the Settlement Offer of an Uber Accident Case
Uber & Lyft Auto Accident Attorneys — Everything You Need to Know About Uber/Lyft Lawsuits
