Ridesharing has become very popular across the U.S., and Colorado is no exception. If you ever need a ride home from the airport, the bar, or a friend's house, contacting Lyft or Uber seems like the smart thing to do so you can get home safely. But what about when there's an epidemic like coronavirus? Is it still safe to get a ride from a stranger, or do you need to worry about getting sick after you get into that car that has probably had many different people in and out of it in that one day?

Here's what to consider if you're worried about the risks of Lyft and Uber rides around Colorado after the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Uber and Lyft's Recommendations to Drivers

The two main rideshare companies in Colorado have sent their drivers some recommendations to reduce the chances of themselves or their riders getting sick. The following are some of the tips for drivers to consider:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Disinfect your car frequently, especially the seats, seatbelts, and door handles.
• Cover any sneezes or coughs.
• Stay home from work if you feel sick.

Of course, it's up to the drivers to follow these tips. And unless you can smell the Lysol or hand sanitizer in the air, it's difficult to know for sure if your driver has followed these recommendations. This is why some people are either avoiding ridesharing services at this time or simply bringing their own hand sanitizer and wipes to clean the surfaces they're about to touch during the ride.

What Some Drivers Are Doing to Protect Themselves and Their Riders

Uber and Lyft may have sent recommendations to drivers but some don't feel like those tips are quite enough to protect everyone during the coronavirus outbreak. So, they're adding their own methods of protection.

For example, some drivers have temporarily stopped picking up passengers at the airport—or have at least avoided pickups at the international terminal—so they're less likely to come into contact with people who recently traveled internationally. They can also decline a ride if they feel it would be a risk to take it—though they cannot discriminate based on national origin or race.

Other drivers still take as many rides as they can, but they take extra precautions inside their car. For instance, some wear a face mask and rubber gloves while driving to reduce their contact with riders. They might also wipe down the interior of the car with disinfecting wipes or spray every surface with Lysol between passengers.

How to Protect Yourself When Ridesharing in Colorado

While many Uber and Lyft drivers are doing everything they can to avoid getting or spreading the coronavirus, it's hard to tell for sure if your driver is being careful enough. If you get into a car and it doesn't look or smell like it's been recently sanitized, try to avoid touching any surfaces unnecessarily. And if you can, carry hand sanitizer or wipes with you to avoid coming into contact with germs in the car.

If you suspect your driver is sick or just not taking the coronavirus recommendations seriously enough, you can always contact Uber or Lyft to file a complaint. You can take the same step if you felt unsafe due to the risky driving practices of your driver. And if your rideshare driver got into a collision while you were the passenger, you should not only contact Uber or Lyft but also talk to a Colorado car accident lawyer for advice. When you schedule a free consultation, you can find out if you should pursue a lawsuit against your Lyft or Uber driver.