Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on February 5, 2017
Ride-Sharing Service Lyft Begins Operations in Clarksville
After launching in Nashville in 2013, the ride-sharing service Lyft has finally made its way to Montgomery County and Clarksville, with the service going live in the area beginning at noon on Thursday, Feb. 2.
Per a report by The Leaf Chronicle, riders can use the app to become matched with drivers at the click of a button on their smartphones. And because their payment information is stored inside their phones, the entire transaction is cashless, making it easy to both hail and pay for rides.
On Thursday, Clarksville will be one of 40 additional cities that will be serviced by Lyft, and 100 more new cities are expected to be added in 2017. A spokesperson for the company says that around 55 percent of the U.S. population lives in areas that are covered by the service.
Outlying areas that are within Clarksville’s coverage area include Ashland City, Greenbrier, Cedar Hill, and Adams.
4 Tips for Staying Safe when Using Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services
Taxis and ride-sharing services are a great and safe alternative to driving, especially if you plan on consuming alcohol. Both Lyft and Uber are highly convenient, as they’re available at the touch of a button and involve cashless transactions. However, it’s important to be aware of a few key safety facts about these services to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
To protect yourself, you should always:
When you request a ride using a ride-sharing app, you’ll get information about the driver as soon as he or she confirms your ride, including his or her picture and vehicle make, model, and year. Keep this information in mind when your driver arrives and make sure everything matches up before you get into the car.
As always, it’s vital that you buckle up as soon as you get inside the vehicle. And while incidents between drivers and passengers are rare, experts recommend riding in the back seat as opposed to the front seat when you’re getting in the car. You should also be friendly and courteous, but avoid doing anything that could distract the driver or take his or her attention off the roadway.
Whether the driver is behaving strangely or driving aggressively and recklessly, request to cancel the ride and exit the vehicle immediately if you begin to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. It’s better to delay your trip and request another ride than to put yourself in danger by riding with someone who may be intoxicated, impaired, or incapable of driving safely.
Don’t attempt to get in or out of a vehicle if the driver parks in or near a busy roadway. Make sure they pull into a driveway or on a wide shoulder of the road before you enter or exit. In addition, request that the driver pull as close to your destination as possible when you arrive and that they let you out on the same side of the road as your destination so that you don’t have to cross the street.
Matt Hardin Law’s team of Clarksville Uber and Lyft accident attorneys knows that while these services are generally safe, accidents and incidents do happen from time to time. These services require that their drivers undergo background checks, but they can’t control all drivers’ behaviors, which can include things like speeding, driving under the influence, and even reckless endangerment of their passengers.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a taxi or ride-sharing accident, our legal team wants to speak with you today. We have two decades of experience fighting for the rights of victims who were injured in a variety of circumstances that weren’t their fault, and we know what it takes to win. To find out how we can help you recover compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, get in touch with us by dialing (931) 274-7788 or completing a free online consultation form.
