UBER AND THE CORONAVIRUS IN MIAMI
UBER IN MIAMI DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
In Miami, the personal injury lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, shares insight into Uber during the COVID pandemic, and how to stay safe before, during, and after an Uber ride in Miami-Dade.
The rideshare share services company, Uber, has played a crucial role in keeping Miami residents connected, by providing transportation to essential workers such as doctors and nurses, delivering goods to those under quarantine, and much more. For example, Uber provided some 300,000 free rides and meals for NHS workers and created Uber Medics, a service which allowed drivers to support frontline staff when non-essential travel was restricted. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, some 290,000 U.S. citizens have died, with 253,000 reported COVID cases in Miami-Dade alone. This is why, Uber has requested Governor DeSantis to allow its workers to be among the first to receive the COVID vaccine, which Pfizer is expected to deliver in the coming weeks according to the FDA.
While Uber has a “No Mask, No Ride” policy in effect, the Pfizer COVID vaccine will be added plus for Uber drivers and passengers. Additional attempts to keep Uber drivers safe during the coronavirus pandemic, Uber has made masks, sanitizer spray, and hand gels readily available to its drivers at no cost. Furthermore, Uber is reimbursing their drivers for any additional COVID Personal protection equipment they purchase to carry out their Uber rides safely.
Uber, as well as other ride-services companies like Cabify or Lyft, provide reliable services to individuals in the Miami-Dade and Broward County communities. However, just like any other motor vehicle operating on Miami avenues, streets, and highways, they are always potentially at risk of being involved in an accident. When Uber drivers get into accidents, passengers run the risk of being injured and suffer losses. Fortunately, Uber carries insurance coverage that will compensate accident victims for as much as $1 million to cover injuries, damages, losses, or wrongful death. In Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm has ample experience handling Uber related accident cases, which may involve passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and even property damage.
Most passengers (riders) that get into an Uber, Lyft, or any other ride-share service in Miami, are oblivious to the number of scams that exist and the potential losses that lurk; both financial and physical. Whether calling an Uber from the airport or a Lyft from a bar, ride-share app users need to be updated on the many possible situations that can turn a ride into a nightmare.
HOW TO STAY SAFE BEFORE A RIDE
Growing up in the 20th century, youngsters were taught to not talk to or get into a car with strangers. Well, in the modern era, those two rules fly right out the window. Thus, before stepping inside a vehicle, it’s important to verify that the driver and the vehicle being driven are legit and match the information available on the App. In other words, make sure that the person behind the wheel is the person whose picture appears on the app and that the license plate number matches that of the car that picks you up. If either of them don’t match, don’t get in the car! There’ve been cases of vehicles displaying fake Uber logos, prowling for unsuspecting riders outside airports, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. A good way for making sure that the driver is there to pick you up is by asking them their rider’s name. If the driver of the vehicle you think is your Uber can tell you your name, then that’s probably not the Uber ride your requested. Another good way to stay safe before getting in an Uber or other rideshare service vehicle, is by sitting in the back, especially if alone, rather than in the front. If anything were to happen, surveillance cameras would be able to detect any suspicious or unlawful activity more easily with a person alone in the back than upfront with the driver.
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING A RIDE
A lot can happen during an Uber ride regardless of time and place in Miami. But knowing how to make sure you are not being scammed is very important. A common practice among crooked Uber drivers is to turn claim that the app has stopped functioning on his/her phone and that a cash payment is required. Unsuspecting riders will pay cash for the ride, and later discover that they have been billed through the app. In order to avoid any unforeseeable events involving payment, riders should inform their driver that they are on a non-cash ride and will not pay cash if the app on their phone is down or their battery is dead. In the event of hostility on behalf of the driver, the Uber user should report the incident via the app. Uber users should avoid the “cash payment” option to avoid a scam that involves cancelling rides on behalf of the driver just before the pickup is made; thus, a cancellation charge is tacked onto the fair. In other words, it’s important to verify whether you have chosen a cash payment, or if it’s the Uber driver tricking you into believing you have chosen cash payment when in fact you haven’t. As an added safety measure to protect its riders, Uber recommends sharing the ride info with a friend or relative. This can be done through the app’s Share Status option and will share your Uber ride from beginning to end.
BASICS REGARDING UBER DRIVERS
An Uber driver can make anywhere from $25,000 – $50,000 a year depending on the number of hours worked and the time of day. Though, not everyone can be an Uber or Lyft driver for one reason or another. Just like any business that deals in customer service and goods, Uber has strict guidelines to make sure its customers are safe and look to avoid potential lawsuits from negligence on behalf of its employees. That is why in Miami, Uber requires that drivers:
- Be 21 or older
- Have at least three years of experience behind the wheel
- Have a clean driving record
- Are free of any criminal convictions in the last 7 years
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN RIDERS ARE INJURED IN UBER ACCIDENTS IN MIAMI
Though nobody gets into a vehicle expecting to be involved in an Uber accident in Miami, but they do happen. Fortunately, Uber, as well as Lyft, carry insurance policies that can cover as much as $1 Million in personal injury compensation for Uber accident victims in Miami. New guidelines went into effect this year which include mandatory Bodily Injury Coverage for $100,000 in the event of injury or death in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida. As well as $25,000 to cover property damage with the app on but without a passenger. An Uber accident victim should immediately contact a trusted personal injury lawyer with a proven track record of handling Uber related accidents in Miami that involve other vehicles or pedestrians. It is best for individuals that have been involved in an accident with an UBER or LYFT vehicles, to be able to verify that they can prove liability for injuries or damage due to negligence on behalf of the driver. In other words, was the UBER or LYFT responsible for the accident? If so, you need a Personal Injury Attorney to handle Injury Litigation under Car Accidents cases and Insurance Claims representation.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN UBER ACCIDENT IN MIAMI
It is vital for Uber passengers to know what to do after an Uber accident in Miami. If you, a family member, or relative was involved in an UBER or LYFT accident, either as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or third-party property owner.
- Immediately call 911.
- Take photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
- Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses
- Get the driver’s license info and insurance details
- Share your UBER/LYFT ride info.
- Contact a professional personal injury attorney immediately.
If you or a loved-one has suffered personal injury, property loss or damage due to the negligence of an UBER or LYFT driver, either as a passenger, driver of another car, or pedestrian, we strongly suggest you Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer online or Call (786) LAWS 411 for a FREE initial consultation.
