Dangerous Uber Drivers: Who’s Really Behind the Wheel?

Dangerous Uber Drivers: Who’s Really Behind the Wheel?

Ever wonder what it takes to become an Uber driver? It’s not as much as you think. There are potentially 900,000 active Uber drivers transporting riders around the country every day, and a large number of them could be unqualified. Here’s what riders need to be aware of before they hail their next Uber ride.  

Lack of Qualifications  

Uber boasts that its service has a job for everyone. The company claims on their website that “Most folks are eligible to drive on the Uber platform,” and this is by far one of the biggest concerns.  

According to Uber’s Minimum Driver Requirements, these are the current qualifications to become a driver:  

  • Meet the minimum age to drive in your city 
  • Have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the US (3 years if you are under 23 years old) 
  • Have a valid US driver’s license 
  • Use an eligible 4-door vehicle 

As proof of these qualifications, Uber requires drivers to include a copy of their driver’s license, proof of residency, proof of vehicle insurance, and a photo for their driver profile. Finally, the company then asks aspiring drivers to submit information to check their driving record and criminal history before they are able to start.  

The problem with Uber’s qualifications is that these minimum requirements do not necessarily constitute a safe driver. Some of the most concerning factors include:  

  • Inexperienced Drivers: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the first 18 months a driver has their license, regardless of age, is the most dangerous. Drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 are the most at risk for accidents, known for underestimating road dangers and falling victim to more distractions. Yet, Uber only requires that its drivers have at least one year of licensed driving experience or three years if they are under the age of 23. This allows two of the most inexperienced groups of drivers in the country to be transporting hundreds of people every week.  
  •  No Driving Tests: Uber does not require its drivers to go through any training or testing to evaluate their knowledge of road safety. Drivers who not have a record of reckless driving can still demonstrate concerning and aggressive behaviors behind the wheel. The lack of traffic violations or points on their license could just mean they are a little better at not getting caught.  
  • Busy Roads: In metropolitan areas such as New York City, congested and busy streets can pose imminent dangers to even the most experienced drivers. Uber drivers are expected to pick up and drop off riders amid thousands of other vehicles, passengers, bicycles, pedestrians, and activities surrounding them. If they are not qualified to drive, the risk of getting into an accident and causing injuries to others drastically increases.  
  • Unsafe Vehicles: The Uber app requires a driver to operate a vehicle no more than 10 years old, with four-door accessibility. What they do not ask for is to inspect the car that a driver is using. It’s not enough to require a current registration and proof of insurance to ensure that a car is in good condition. These vehicles can easily lack proper maintenance or safety features which could lead to preventable accidents.  
  • Fraud: Uber does not interview drivers or inspect their vehicles as other companies may do when hiring employees. All driver information is submitted is through an online forum. These documents can be falsified and altered to meet the requirements needed to drive. It may also allow people to pretend to be another driver if the facial profile is similar enough to pass.  

Additionally, the minimal qualifications to become an Uber driver do not assess the overall safety of a person or possible risk of criminal intent. Thousands of Uber passengers in the last few years have filed claims against the company for instances of physical abuse, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. General interview questions regarding conflict management, or character references, may have led to the denial of some of these individuals passing as drivers. But with all Uber functions being completed online, these risky drivers are allowed to pass.  

A History of Reckless Screenings  

When the Uber app first came out, almost anyone could become a driver. If you were capable of signing up for the app, had a license, owned a car, you were immediately entrusted with the lives of the millions of potential users who could ask for a ride.  

In 2017, Uber came under fire by multiple states for hiring thousands of drivers who did not meet the standard requirements for driving, or who possessed criminal and felony backgrounds. Several drivers had a history of concerning offenses, including sexual abuse, substance use, and violent behaviors. Others had racked up years of charges and violations for acts of reckless driving.  

After slightly improving their screening methods, Uber reported in 2018 that at least 40,000 drivers nationwide had been let go for no longer qualifying to drive through the app. However, safety advocates have still found these driving qualifications to come up short, as passengers continue to report injuries and accidents committed at the hands of dangerous drivers.  

New York City and Long Island Car Uber Accident Attorneys  

Uber riders are in control of which ride they choose, but they can’t predict the type of driver who is behind the wheel. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to help our clients achieve a favorable outcome.  

Our Uber accident attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber, have over 20 years of experience serving clients across New York City and Long Island. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process using past experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less.  

Contact us today at 1-877-529-4343, or schedule an appointment online anytime. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. 

Share this post

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

PROMOTION PERIOD: The Siler & Ingber Mineola MegaStar Contest begins on March 20, 2023 at 12:00 am ET and
ends on May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, a MegaStar must be a legal U.S. resident at least 16 years of age as of date of
Nomination. A Mineola MegaStar is defined as a person who lives or works in Mineola and is admired or idealized for their courage, dedication, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. By participating, Entrants agree to be
bound by the official rules. Sponsors reserve the right to verify and determine eligibility in their sole discretion.

TO PARTICIPATE: During the Promotion Period, Siler & Ingber will accept from the members of the public (herein, the “Nominators”) nominations of Eligible Entrants (Mineola Megastars) who live or works in Mineola. Nominations may be entered by visiting www.nylawnet.com/mineolamegastar and completing the online form and essay submission or by emailing photo and essay to marketing@nylawnet.com during the Promotion Period to receive one (1) entry. Essay must not exceed 500 words. Acceptable essay formats are word documents or pdf ONLY. Nominations submitted without all required information or after the Promotion Period will be disregarded.
Online submissions must be received by May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET to be eligible. All entries become the exclusive property of Siler & Ingber and will not be acknowledged or returned.

ESSAY: During the promotion period, an Entrant can nominate a Mineola MegaStar for the contest by submitting a
photo and essay. The essay must describe why the individual should be chosen as the award winner, including how the individual demonstrates some or all of the following qualifications:

1) an inspiring example to others by helping make Mineola a better place to live (through volunteerism, extra-curricular actives, special projects, giving back, etc.)

2) going above and beyond to aid a friend, family member, stranger or community in a time of need; and/or

3) love of profession and desire, determination and diligence to help outside of normal job responsibilities. The essay must be in English and no more than 500 words. All information provided must be truthful, accurate and complete. An Entrant cannot nominate more than one Hero.

Submitted Materials: Each essay must satisfy all the following submission requirements the Submission


Requirements:

· The essay must be the original creation of Entrant.

· The essay must not portray any recognizable individual without their prior consent, including consent from the
Hero.

· Entrant must either own all rights to the essay or otherwise have the right to submit the essay in the contest and to provide the rights to Sage Surfaces as set forth herein.

· The essay must not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights.

· The essay may not contain illegal, indecent, obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit content, or otherwise offensive material or inappropriate content such as aberrational behavior, graphic violence, drug abuse, or nudity.

· The essay must not promote bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.

· The essay must be non-defamatory and must not invade any third party’s right of privacy or publicity.

· The essay must otherwise be appropriate for publication or broadcast or display on a general interest website.

By submitting an essay, each Entrant represents and warrants that the essay meets all of the submission
requirements and that the distribution, reproduction, display and any other uses of any part of the essay by Siler & Ingber as permitted herein will not infringe any third-party rights. Each Entrant further agrees to indemnify and hold Siler & Ingber harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, liabilities and causes of action of whatsoever nature that are based upon or arise out of any breach by such Entrant of such warranties or representations made by contestant or of these official rules.

By submitting an essay, Entrant grants to Siler & Ingber a non-exclusive, perpetual, world-wide, royalty-free license (and waives all moral rights in and to the essay) to display or otherwise use the essay in connection with this promotion and as set forth herein. If Siler & Ingber determines, in its sole discretion and at any time during the promotion period, that any nomination violates the submission requirements, is otherwise unsuitable, offensive, or in poor taste, or violates these official rules, Siler & Ingber reserves the right to remove and disqualify the essay. Siler & Ingber retains sole
discretion as to whether any nomination satisfies the submission requirements and the official rules.

WINNER SELECTION: For the entry period, a panel of judges will select potential Mineola Megastar finalists based on the compelling nature of the essay based on the criteria set forth herein. Top 5 entries will be announced on May 10, 2023. We will post the top 5 on social media. Final winner announced May 15, 2023. Award Ceremony for Mineola MegaStar will take place on May 19, 2023.


WINNER NOTIFICATION AND RELEASES: We will attempt to notify potential winners via telephone and/or email. If a potential winner: (a) does not respond within 48 hours of initial notification attempt; (b) is not in compliance with these official rules, (c) does not meet the eligibility requirements, (d) declines the prize, he or she will be disqualified, and an alternate winner will be selected by applying the criteria set forth above.
PRIZES: There is 1 Mineola MegaStar. Winner will receive a $500 Cash Prize.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING: Submission of a nomination in the contest constitutes permission to Siler & Ingber to use Entrants name, identity, title, likeness, distinctive appearance, physical likeness, image, portrait, picture, photograph (whether still or moving), screen persona, voice, vocal style, statements, gesture, mannerism, personality, performance characteristic, biographical data, signature, social media handles and identities, and any other indicia or imitation of identity or likeness for purposes of advertising and trade, in any medium, without further notice, approval, or compensation, unless prohibited by law.

PRIZE RESTRICTIONS: No transfer, assignment, sale, duplication, cash redemption or substitution of Prize (or portion of Prize) is permitted, except by Sponsors, which reserve the right to substitute a Prize (or applicable portion of Prize) with one of comparable or greater value, as determined by Sponsors. Sponsors are not responsible for and will not replace a lost or stolen Prize or any component thereof. All Prize details are at Sponsors’ sole and absolute discretion. Non-compliance with these Official Rules may result in disqualification and, at Sponsors’ sole discretion, the awarding of Prize to an alternate winner.

VERIFICATION OF OFFICIAL WINNER: ALL PRIZE WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION BY SPONSORS, WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST.

Do I Have A Case

    Skip to content