Is UberPool Safe?

Uber exists to provide a convenient, straightforward, and relatively inexpensive way to get around. However, if your destination is farther away or the app is experiencing surge pricing, the cost of a ride can go up significantly. What happens if you need to get somewhere, but the price is too high? Well, Uber has seemingly resolved that problem with a feature called UberPool. But what exactly is UberPool—and is it safe? At Neufeld Law Firm, we are well aware of the issues around rideshare safety, and we put our years of experience to work fighting for victims of ridesharing accidents and assaults. If you have ever been injured or assaulted while riding in an Uber or other rideshare company vehicle, we are here to help you seek justice. This applies to all of Uber’s features, including UberPool. Before you decide to give the feature a go, let’s dive into the details of it and also take a look at what you should do if you get into an accident while riding in an UberPool.

What Is an UberPool?

UberPool is a part of Uber’s services that matches you with other riders who are heading in the same direction. This allows you to share the ride, as well as the cost. Uber describes the service as affordable door-to-door rides where you can carpool with others in comfortable sedans. The kicker is that you are only allowed two seats per request—so if there are three or more people in your party, you’ll have to request a regular Uber through the app.

How Do You Request UberPool in the App?

Requesting an UberPool is fairly simple. When you open up the Uber app and enter your destination, you’ll have the option to tap the UberPool icon at the bottom of your screen rather than choosing another type of Uber. It works the same as Uber’s other services—you’ll be able to see the estimated time until your driver arrives, as well as the window of time you are to arrive at your destination. During the ride, if there are other riders who request UberPool and are going your direction, the driver might accept additional pick-ups or drop-offs along your trip. So you may get into an UberPool that already has a rider, or you may pick someone else up on the way. However, in some instances, you may not have any other rider at all.

Is UberPool Safe?

Due to the nature of UberPool, you may be wondering if it is truly safe to use. The answer is a little complex. Generally, using Uber can be deemed safe. Drivers go through background checks and are scrutinized by Uber to an extent before they are allowed to drive. However, riders are not subject to a background check—meaning that just about anyone can use the app. Drivers and riders are ultimately held accountable while using the Uber app, and both parties are given a star rating out of five. This rating reflects their behavior as a driver or rider, as well as history. Uber suggests that if a rider has an unpleasant experience while sharing their ride with another rider, they should report it in the app through their 24/7 support service. If an app user, whether they are a driver or a rider, violates the community guidelines, they will be taken off the platform. Unfortunately, this doesn’t account for anyone who may violate these guidelines in the future. So how can you be sure that using UberPool is truly safe? While Uber may do some things to prevent accidents or incidents from happening, they can’t prevent everything. It will come down to your best judgment to decide whether or not you want to use the UberPool feature and share your ride with strangers. As rideshare accident attorneys, we understand that the lower cost may be enticing when you’re alone, but we recommend only using the feature when you are with another person for your peace of mind.

What Should You Do If You’re in an UberPool Accident?

If you are injured while riding in an UberPool, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention—even if your injuries may seem minor or unnoticeable. Being seen by a medical professional will give you the best idea of the severity of injuries you suffered and enable you to take adequate legal action. After you have sought medical help, you should report your accident to Uber through the app and contact an experienced Uber accident attorney for additional help with your case. Having an attorney on your side will be beneficial while navigating Uber’s tricky insurance policies, as well as the insurance company of any other party who may have been involved in the accident. A high-quality Uber accident lawyer will be able to help you file your claim and get you the compensation you deserve. You could receive compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Uber Accident Attorneys You Can Trust

At Neufeld Law Firm, we are on your side. You can rest easy knowing that we’ll work diligently to protect your rights and help you through this stressful time. Our goal is to provide strong legal representation and accurate information in order to keep you safe while riding in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare company’s vehicle. Our attorneys stay up to date on Uber accident laws and will help get you the compensation you deserve. What’s more, you won’t pay anything out of pocket unless we are able to successfully obtain compensation for your case. Contact us today if you’ve been injured in an Uber accident for a free consultation.