A former Uber driver was recently sentenced to life in prison after he went on a shooting rampage in a string of parking lots. The shootings occurred in Michigan in 2016.
The Uber driver, who is 48-years-old, was ordered by a Michigan judge to spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole. The man opened fire at random in parking lots outside an apartment building, a car dealership, and a Cracker Barrell. He killed six people and wounded two others. He was taken into custody and charged with 16 counts, including six counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
After the shooting, many Uber customers became concerned that a mass murderer was driving for the company, and there was a renewed interest in how Uber vets their drivers. Uber said that the man had passed its background checks. The man was found to be mentally competent to stand trial by a judge. After the shooting, the driver filed a $10 million lawsuit against Uber, claiming that the Uber app had taken over his body and forced him to kill.
This alarming case is an illustration of the fact that dangerous individuals could potentially be driving for Uber or Lyft. There have been questions for years about how good the background checks are at weeding out potential criminals. In addition, in many cases the riders with Uber or Lyft may be under the influence of alcohol, which can reduce their defenses.
If you have been harmed by a driver for Uber or Lyft, you should speak with an attorney. You may have legal rights against the company. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.