Recently, a Lyft driver in California was sued, along with Lyft, for his actions that resulted in the death of a passenger. Earlier this month another woman in California had a frightening experience with a Lyft driver. The company has come under criticism for its hiring process, which is done entirely online and may not result in safe, high-quality drivers.
The incident that resulted in a passenger’s death occurred in January 2018. A passenger was riding with a Lyft driver and the two became involved in an argument. The Lyft driver pulled over to the side of a busy freeway in Los Angeles, pepper-sprayed the passenger, and ejected him from the vehicle, leaving him on the side of a freeway. The passenger was later struck and killed by another vehicle. His parents sued Lyft, claiming that the company was negligent in its hiring procedures.
The latest incident to occur with a Lyft driver happened in Sacramento. A passenger ordered a ride from a Lyft vehicle in order to pick up her husband from the hospital. Once she and the driver got on the freeway, the driver began laughing and then crying at the same time.
The driver then began driving erratically, took his hands off the wheel, covered his eyes with his hands, and told the passenger to direct him on the road. The passenger finally convinced the driver to pull over in a shopping center. She ran into a Starbucks and called the police. They found the driver locked in a gas station bathroom covered in soap and trying to bite the officers. He was taken into custody and put on a mental health hold. The company said that it deactivated the driver’s account and has been in contact with the passenger.
Many advocates believe that Lyft and other rideshare companies do not screen potential drivers carefully enough. If you believe that you have been harmed by the dangerous actions of a rideshare driver, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles rideshare injury attorney at 310-385-0567. My team is currently working on a lawsuit against Lyft. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.