Headed To A Party? Know The Basics Of Using A RideShare App To Get Home

The next few months will be rife with parties and with more and more people getting vaccinated against COVID-19 there will likely be a higher volume of holiday parties to attend.  While these may be fun to attend they can also put you in a precarious situation that might lead to a Connecticut auto accident.

Whether you’re drinking alcohol, using marijuana, or just simply out later than you otherwise would be, driving yourself home from a party has inherent risks.  In many ways it is safer to rely on a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft to get you home without the danger of you being behind the wheel after being out late at night.

Rideshare services are great, but they carry risks as well.  Knowing what these risks are and how to avoid them will keep you safe all the way home.  When you are ready to leave a party your risk awareness should begin when you book your ride.

1. Always confirm the location of your pickup through the app and make sure it is in a well-lit area.
2. When your driver arrives, check that the make/model of the car and the license plate number of the car that comes to pick you up matches that of the car that is listed in the app you are using.
3. Confirm with the driver her/his name and photo and match them with the name and photo in the app to ensure that you are getting into the car with the driver that you are expecting.
4. Wear a seatbelt.  Even though you are not in your own car, safety still needs to be of the utmost concern.  If you get into a rideshare and there are no seatbelts or they are not functioning properly you are well within your right to get out of the vehicle and you should.

Rideshare services are wonderful in helping you get to and from parties or other events where you may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or out later than you otherwise would be on a normal night.  However they are not without their own risks and you should use them with the same safety in mind that you would if you were driving your own car so that you can avoid a Connecticut auto accident.  

With the holiday season just on the horizon it is important to enjoy the season safely.  If you are injured in an accident that may have involved a rideshare service you may have the need for an attorney to review the incident.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work with you to protect your long-term interests.