Ridesharing has revolutionized the way people travel, but it has also brought some legal challenges. Since its popularity, there have been several high-profile accidents involving rideshare drivers, and the legal outcomes of these cases have been closely watched.
Self-Driving Uber Accident: 2018
In 2018, an autonomous Uber vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona. This was the first known fatality involving a self-driving car. The incident raised questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles and the legal liability of companies like Uber. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an investigation and determined that the cause of the accident was a software error in the Uber vehicle. Uber settled with the victim’s family for an undisclosed amount.
Self-Driving Uber Accident: 2019
Another high-profile case involved a fatal accident in which a pedestrian was hit by a self-driving Uber vehicle in 2019. The victim’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Uber, alleging that the company was negligent in its testing and deployment of self-driving cars. Uber settled with the family for $10 million.
Uber impersonator: 2019
In 2019, a woman was kidnapped and murdered by a fake Uber driver in South Carolina. The victim’s family filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging that the company failed to adequately screen its drivers and ensure passenger safety. Uber settled with the family for an undisclosed amount.
In 2020, a California appeals court ruled that Uber and Lyft must classify their drivers as employees rather than independent contractors. This decision has significant implications for rideshare companies and their drivers, as it means that they will be entitled to benefits like minimum wage, overtime pay, and workers’ compensation.
Ridesharing has brought about new legal challenges, and the outcomes of high-profile accidents have been closely watched. The legal liability of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, as well as the safety of their passengers, are important issues that will continue to be debated and litigated. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, be sure to contact us!
