Most people would think that it is safe to call an Uber after a night of drinking. Little do they know, though, that they are putting their livelihood at risk for just a ride. Over 103 Uber drivers have faced convictions for rape and assault while working with the ride-sharing company, according to reports.
California is a top state for sexual assaults, with Massachusetts, Colorado, and Texas also on the list. Here’s more on ride-sharing attacks and how you can make sure you ride home safely.
High-Profile Uber Rape Cases
In one year, Uber has given over four billion trips to riders. One rider, after a night of partying, was seen on a surveillance camera lifting an unconscious woman inside a motel room. The man who was dragging her inside the room was ex-Uber driver Westagne Pierre, who then raped her, stole her credit card, and then left her half-naked in the motel room.
After waking up, the female passenger called 911 and, while sobbing, told the emergency dispatcher,, “I don’t know how I woke up here. I don’t know.” Unfortunately, this driver was only one of the 103 Uber drivers who have been accused of sexually assaulting a rider.
Another woman was raped in the back of an Uber. When she regained consciousness from her alcohol consumption, he was lying on top of her. Over the years, numerous victims have reported assaults by Uber drivers against women, and the number continues to rise. Victims are not staying quiet, though. A woman assaulted in Miami told CNN “How many people is it going to take to get assaulted before something is done?”
Attacks as recent as June 2018 have also occurred. Uber driver Mark Filanov was arrested for kidnapping three women in Sacramento County. DailyMail.com reported that after leaving a book club, the three women then became concerned when Filanov drove past multiple exits that were not in the direction of their destination.
Flanov then said to the three women, “OK, now you’re going to tell me the real story or we’re all going to die.”
Uber Attacks and Murders
Sexual assaults are not the only dangers that a rider can face while in an Uber. Some even have lost their lives at the hands of an Uber driver. In June of 2018, Michael Andre Hancock, a Colorado Uber driver, shot rider Hyun Kim at 3 a.m. Hancock claimed that he shot Kim in self-defense because he was being attacked. Officers took him in and is facing charges of first-degree murder.
Other Uber deaths have not come in the form of attacks but in car accidents. Foreign exchange student Justine Van Ginderachter was killed in an auto collision in March of 2018. The question of whether the Uber driver was at fault is still under investigation. Ginderatcher was nineteen years old.
Uber riders are not the only ones in the car who have suffered physical attacks, though. There have also been crimes against Uber drivers. One of the Uber driver’s assaults by passengers took place in the state of New Mexico, which involved a woman being raped and kidnapped.
Gabriel Munoz was indicted on 12 charges of violating and beating his Uber driver. Officials investigating the case told the Albuquerque Journal that the attack was “deeply disturbing and something nobody should have to experience.” Munoz instructed the assaulted female Uber driver not to bother getting dressed because she was going to die. His trial date is set in September 2018.
What Uber is Doing About the Assaults
Since the sexual attacks on riders, Uber has taken measures to ensure the safety of its passengers. Safety features, such as the panic button and location sharing, have been implemented.
When on a trip, riders can access the panic button that will directly connect them to 911. Although this solution may seem reassuring, so far, the panic button has only been implemented in cities in Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Colorado, and that does not include the entire state. The emergency feature is exclusive to specific cities in states as of June 2018.
As for sharing your location with fellow riders, the Uber feature lets you select five “trusted contacts” to see if you arrived at your destination safely.
Uber also claims to be working with RapidSOS, an emergency call start-up company, to add an item that will send officers the exact location of your Uber in a time of distress.
Do Drivers Undergo Background Checks?
The multiple arrests resulting from attacks Uber riders have faced have prompted Uber to conduct thorough background checks. Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi stated in an Uber News blog post that “We can do more to ensure drivers continue to meet our standards on an ongoing basis, long after they take their first trip.”
Uber requires that their drivers now undergo a background check which includes the giving of the prospective driver’s social security number which gives Uber access to any criminal or sexual offenses on record.
Many safety authorities are calling for Uber to have a detailed analysis of a potential driver that would involve a fingerprint.
Deactivation of an Uber Driver
Uber drivers have not only had to worry about their safety but also about staying employed by the company. Uber has raised their standards for becoming an Uber driver.
Drivers who log into their account and see messages such as “your account needs attention” or have received an email stating that they have been deactivated, which likely means that their employment with Uber has been terminated.
Uber doesn’t let drivers go randomly, though. The following are the top five reasons of how you can get fired by Uber. 5 common reasons why you have been fired from Uber:
- Failing the background check: Uber wants to make its rides safe. The ride-share company runs a background check on its drivers once a year to ensure they do not have criminal records. Uber may not even ask for a driver’s consent to run the background check, and there is also no set date on which Uber runs the checks.
- Rejecting too many rides: You can cancel or refuse to pick up a customer for a ride as an Uber driver. If you cancel one too many times, though,, you can get fired. Many drivers who try to steer clear of low ride acceptance rates agree to pick up a person but then soon after cancel the ride. This is cheating, and it does not help prevent you from getting fired. If you cancel an excessive amount of Uber rides, then you will be dismissed.
- Driving dangerously: Uber can determine whether you are putting your riders at risk through ratings and reviews. What Uber declares as poor driving conduct includes driving under the influence of marijuana or alcohol and violating any federal traffic offenses, such as running a red light.
- Documents are not up to date: If documents regarding your car have expired, this can get you terminated by Uber, but this also can get you into some serious legal trouble. Having a suspended license, expired vehicle registration or expired tags is a driving violation. Always provide Uber with recent documents of your vehicle or license.
- Bringing a friend along for the ride: You are permitted to bring one of your companions to accompany you. In fact, if your passenger does report you, you will be deactivated immediately from being an Uber driver. One of the primary reasons you cannot bring a friend is that the rider may feel uncomfortable. Also, if you do not have the bare minimum number of seats that Uber requires, which is four, you may be unable to fit all the passengers in your car.
Taxis Have an Established System
Although Uber and taxis may seem similar because of their ride-sharing abilities, they are very different. Taxis are limited in terms of dates and timing options for riders. For example, if you try to order a taxi the night before a departure from an airport, your chances of catching a ride are slim.
- What Uber offers is the convenience of ordering a ride at any time at any place.
- Uber is available worldwide in 400 cities and 60 countries, including Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
- What Uber does not have, though, is years of experience.
The taxi industry, which has been around for many years, has undergone rigorous regulation, including intense background checks before a driver begins employment. According to an OSHA report, there have been far fewer violent incidents over the years and attacks on both drivers and passengers than there have been in the previous two years for Uber.
Uber May Be Cheap, But Lyft is Safer.
Uber and Lyft are the two dominant companies in the ride-sharing industry. These competitors have similar features and options for riders, but there is one key difference: pricing. Factors such as area, timing, and the number of passengers in the car go into pricing. Uber beats Lyft when it comes to costs, though.
Uber has a “surge” feature that estimates the cost of your trip at a certain time. The price is also 20% more economical for riders. The Lyft app does not have a price estimator.
As far as customer service goes, according to riders, Lyft drivers are more accommodating to their customers. Data has shown that Lyft has a small number of assaults as opposed to the high volume of Uber attacks and Uber kidnapping statistics.
Uber Data Breach
To add to the Uber crime rate, the ride-sharing company has faced numerous class-action lawsuits over data breaches and the misuse of customer information.
In 2017, Uber riders experienced a security breach in personal information. The Los Angeles Times reported that in 2016, a hacker obtained email addresses and cell phone numbers for 5.7 million people worldwide. Uber drivers were also unaffected by this incident. Over 600,000 drivers’ license numbers were stolen.
Uber then hired hackers to cover up that a data breach had occurred in the first place. Customers and drivers were strongly encouraged to file a class-action lawsuit.
How You Can Ensure Your Safety as a Driver and Rider
The ride-sharing industry has grown fast and has become a normal mode of transportation. However, with the growth has come a growing number of problems, and they have been at the expense of female drivers.
Uber and other resources have provided suggestions on saving as a driver and rider. The following is a list of measures you can take to have a safe ride to your destination.
- Remember, you can always cancel: As an Uber driver or passenger, you do have the option to cancel a ride. Do not feel obligated to take a ride from an Uber driver that does not have the best ratings. Waiting for a driver who has better ratings can protect you in the long run.
- Look at Driver and rider ratings: Driver ratings have been a key indicator of riders’ safety before getting into a car. Customer ratings have yet to gain popularity in the Uber driver community. Drivers can view what other drivers have said about a past customer. If you see that a past customer has received reviews that imply that he/she was inappropriate or dangerous, then cancel your ride.
- Make sure fellow passengers under the influence get home safely: It has become a big staple after a night of going out to call an Uber. Many people in Uber are so inebriated, though, that they are not fully aware of their surroundings or worse, become unconscious. It is better than before the night begins, when people are sober, to initiate a safe riding plan. Always be accompanied by a friend to avoid going home alone.
We Can Help You After an Uber Incident.
Suppose you have been a victim of an Uber data breach or have experienced serious injuries in an Uber car accident. In that case, the personal injury attorneys of Bisnar Chase are here to help you recover. Injuries after a car accident or the unauthorized use of your personal information can be costly. Call to speak to one of our expert team members and learn more about the legal options you have against ride-sharing companies.
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
