In August, a lawsuit was filed against Lyft for wrongful death. The company was sued because of the death of a passenger. The passenger was riding in the Los Angeles area when he got into an argument with the Lyft driver. The driver pepper-sprayed him, kicked him out of the vehicle, and left him on the side of the freeway. He was later struck by a vehicle and died at the hospital.
The lawsuit claims that Lyft’s processes for hiring, training, and retaining drivers is inadequate. According to the lawsuit, Lyft does not properly screen or evaluate drivers. Instead, Lyft streamlines the process so it can hire as many drivers as cheaply as possible. The process to become a Lyft driver is entirely done online, and Lyft doesn’t verify that the documents submitted are accurate. Drivers do not attend classes, pass tests, or do any other type of assessments.
Uber’s process for hiring drivers is similar. According to Uber’s website, to drive with Uber you must meet a minimum age requirement, have a valid driver’s license and a four-door vehicle. Uber also conducts a criminal background check. There are no training classes, driving tests, or other requirements.
As more and more people are harmed because of the reckless actions of rideshare drivers, Uber and Lyft are coming under scrutiny for their loose standards. If you have been harmed by the actions of a rideshare driver, you should speak with an attorney. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation.