Woman Jumps From Lyft Fearing Kidnapping
Recently, a woman jumped out of a Lyft ride and suffered a broken ankle because she feared she was being kidnapped. The accident occurred in San Francisco and further investigations revealed the driver had no intent to kidnap the victim. Rather, the driver was deaf and the passenger did not know how to communicate with him. The incident was an unfortunate misunderstanding, but the passenger suffered very real injuries.
The woman requested a Lyft ride using the company's app and entered into a Nissan Quest with the driver, who was a man in his forties. The driver then made a turn that that the passenger believed to be in the wrong direction. When she attempted to alert the driver, he did not respond and she became uneasy. She then elected to jump from the vehicle and sustained a broken ankle. Passengers of Lyft are now being advised that the company regularly hires deaf and hearing-impaired drivers.
What You Should Do Following a Lyft or Uber Accident
Since the inception of ridesharing, both Lyft and Uber have grown tremendously in popularity. These companies offer a unique transportation option and can serve a useful purpose when drivers have been drinking or otherwise need a ride. However, numerous accidents have been linked to these ridesharing services. At times passengers are injured in ridesharing accidents, while other times these vehicles collide with other drivers and even pedestrians. Ridesharing company accidents present some liability issues and anyone injured by an Uber or Lyft driver should consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
In order to bring a claim against the ridesharing driver or company, you will need to establish the driver was at fault for the accident and that you suffered damages as a result of the crash. The primary defendant in any ridesharing car accident case will be the Uber or Lyft driver, so you will need to find out crucial information as to the driver's insurance.
At times, you can also file a claim against Uber or Lyft themselves. You will face some challenges in doing so, but could prove successful dependent upon the circumstances of the crash. Uber and Lyft both disclaim liability for the behavior of their drivers, but ridesharing companies could be held accountable if the ride-sharing company failed to adequately screen a driver's qualifications and negligently allowed him or her to operate a vehicle on their behalf. With the assistance of an experienced attorney, you can successfully obtain compensation following an Uber or Lyft accident.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or other traffic accident, contact the Georgia Car Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our law firm is dedicated to assisting injured accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. We bring over 39 years of experience to your automobile accident case, providing you with the compassionate and zealous representation you need. The sooner you act after your injury, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
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