Who could have predicted that there would be a time when you could be thinking about needing a ride one minute and sitting in the backseat of a car the next? Thank you Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies who make it easier than ever before to get from here to there.
However, these services are not problem-proof. After all, the drivers are still people who can get into accidents on the road like anyone else. And, if you are hurt in an accident caused by an Uber driver or while a passenger in an Uber car, who can be held responsible for your injuries?
That’s the question the Liu family of San Francisco is asking in the wake of their six-year-old daughter Sophia being allegedly struck and killed on New Year’s Eve by an Uber driver. Apparently, according to the family’s lawsuit, the Uber driver, 57-year-old Syed Muzzafar, was looking at his phone and using the Uber app when he barreled into the Liu family as they were crossing the street — at a crosswalk!
The Liu family’s personal injury attorney says the driver was an “agent” of Uber at the time of the accident because he was engaged in obtaining work by looking at the smartphone app. Companies are responsible for their employees when they are on the job. Uber, on the other hand, contends that Muzzafar was not classified as an agent at the time of the accident because he was not, at that moment, “doing a trip on the Uber system.”
Ride-sharing services are required to make sure their drivers have insurance that covers passengers and other motorists in the event of a vehicle crash. However, it’s important that you protect your own rights and speak with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer who can make sure you are able to pursue all avenues of compensation when you or a loved one have been injured in an accident.
At Andres, Berger & Tran, we are passionate about helping our clients get the compensation they need, want and deserve following a car, truck or motorcycle accident. We’re on your side and we will fight for your family. Contact our Cherry Hill, NJ office today for a free consultation about your case.
