Uber Sued Over Crash That Caused Brain Damage
A South Carolina couple hurt while riding in an Uber recently filed a lawsuit against the ride-share company alleging the wife’s severe brain injuries were caused due to negligence on the part of the driver and company. The lawsuit is just the latest in a series of claims brought against Uber as Miami-Dade lawmakers examine whether to impose new regulations on the company.
The victims were in Miami for a medical conference in December 2015 when the uber accident occurred. The couple hailed an Uber from their hotel and were picked up by a 2009 Nissan Murano. The Uber driver immediately crashed the car into traffic as she attempted to merge onto Collins Avenue, according the the suit. Police cited the driver for failure to yield.
The lawsuit claims the male victim, a gynecologist from Charleston, suffered a broken leg and his wife suffered serious brain damage as a result of the accident. According to reports, the female victim has already undergone several surgeries to treat her injuries and is scheduled for more in the coming weeks and months. For now, she must wear a protective helmet while she waits for her future surgeries.
Negligence in hiring, training, and supervision
The couple’s lawsuit alleges Uber negligently hired, trained, and supervised the driver who allegedly caused the victims’ terrible injuries. Should the victims’ claims turn out to be true, the court may hold Uber liable for the damages inflicted on the plaintiff’s by the driver.
The law requires employers take reasonable efforts to properly vet their employees and ensure they are properly trained and supervised in the course of the their duties. Furthermore, employers who fail to terminate employees who engage in problematic behavior.
In order for an employer to be held responsible for the actions of their employees, plaintiffs must demonstrate to the court the defendant engaged in some sort of negligence. This may include:
- Negligence in hiring – The employer knew or should have known the employee was unfit to perform his or her work duties.
- Negligence in retention – After becoming aware an employee was unfit to work or engaged in problematic behavior, the employer failed to terminate the individual.
- Negligence in training and supervision – Employers fail to oversee or remedy the conduct of an employee who goes on to cause harm.
Miami Uber lawsuits
Although The Pendas Law Firm did not represent the plaintiffs in this particular case, our experience Miami Uber accident lawyers regularly represent victims hurt in auto accidents. Furthermore, our personal injury lawyers have the experience and legal training necessary to hold employers responsible for their negligent business practices that result in harm to innocent victims.
If you were hurt in an auto accident involving Uber, Lyft, or any other ride-sharing company, contact our office for a consultation about your case. The case evaluation is free and you have nothing to lose by speaking to our office. Our lawyers represent clients in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale & Miami.