Many people are using ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft to get around. Uber has a net worth of $60 billion while Lyft has a value of $5 billion. The increased popularity of these ridesharing apps have made many people wonder if they are as safe as traditional taxis.

When considering taking an Uber, Lyft or taxi, it’s important for people to consider their safety.  Unfortunately, many people have complained about being harassed or assaulted by Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers over the years.

Below we will discuss how safe all of these transportation options are and help you decide which service you should use in your city.

Measuring the Safety of Uber, Lyft and Taxis

When you are thinking about taking a taxi, Uber or Lyft, there are several factors you can look at to determine the safety level of these services, including:

Background Checks

Taxi drivers are required to go through extensive background checks before getting hired. In San Francisco, for example, taxi drivers must go through a nine-step process involving drug testing and fingerprinting that takes several weeks. If they pass the background check, they are given a badge and a card, so passengers can know that they are in a taxi with a screened driver.

Background checks for Lyft and Uber are much less rigorous, however. To work for these companies, drivers have to register online and undergo a background screening through commercial vendors that use county, state and federal databases. These ridesharing companies may have a lot of work to do to ensure that their drivers are no threat to their customers.

Ride Records

One of the advantages of riding in an Uber or Lyft is that there is a detailed record of every ride. The software system will show the identities of the passenger and driver, the pickup and drop-off points and the time and date of the trip. If you ride in a taxi, none of this information will be on record.

Driver Ratings

Uber and Lyft also give riders the opportunity to rate their experience with a driver. This lets others riders see if there were any complaints reported about certain drivers. Taxi companies, on the other hand, don’t give riders the option to rate their drivers.

All in all, the safety features and benefits offered by ridesharing companies are better than taxis. These ridesharing companies just have to improve initial background check standards.

If you think you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact a car accident attorney Des Moines IA trusts. An attorney may be able to assist you get the compensation you deserve.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Johnston Martineau PLLP for their insight into car accident cases.