Are Ride-Hailing and Food Delivery Apps Distracting Their Own Drivers?
Ride-hailing and food delivery apps are making life easier in Florida — but are they also causing more accidents? This is a question that has been on the minds of numerous Americans and lawmakers, and the evidence isn’t all that reassuring. The truth is that these apps could be intentionally and knowingly distracting their own drivers. Some of these incidents have allegedly led to accidents — causing serious injuries for innocent people in Fort Walton Beach and other municipalities. But can you sue one of these apps for causing your injury?
A Worrying Trend Among Ride-Hailing Drivers
On October 8th, the Palm Beach Post reported that Lyft was being sued for allegedly “distracting its own driver,” leading to a crash for a Florida woman. This crash resulted in an injury, and the woman decided to sue the app. A judge then allowed the lawsuit to move forward, suggesting that this legal action might have real merit. The argument is simple: The underlying technology used by Lyft causes a distraction for its drivers. This causes them to take their eyes off the road and creates a dangerous situation for innocent motorists, the lawsuit alleges.
It’s still too early to tell whether this lawsuit will actually succeed, but it’s definitely not the first time these kinds of questions have been raised. In 2021, Uber was sued for a fatal accident that claimed the life of a teen in Tampa. The driver was apparently distracted by her phone at the time of the crash.
This problem isn’t limited to ride-hailing services, either. The same issue is arising among food delivery drivers, including those who work for apps like DoorDash. In 2021, DoorDash was sued for allegedly texting a driver while they were driving. The lawsuit alleges that this was the deciding factor that caused the driver to strike and kill a pedestrian in Berkeley, California.
According to Florida law, anything that takes your eyes off the road constitutes distracted driving. This is against the law, and it is considered a clear sign of negligence in the eyes of the court. When you consider the fact that drivers for these apps are highly incentivized to respond to these text messages if they want to keep their jobs, it seems fair to assume that the tech companies should shoulder at least some of the liability in these accidents — which are often fatal.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Accident Attorney in Fort Walton Beach?
If you’ve been searching the Fort Walton Beach area for a qualified, experienced accident attorney, look no further than Browning Law Firm, P.A. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs across Florida, and we know that accidents can be caused by a range of factors — including distraction. If these distractions are being caused by major tech companies in the Sunshine State, you have every right to explore your options for compensation. Book your consultation today to get started
Sources
- https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/courts/2022/10/08/lawsuit-lyfts-tech-distracted-driver-led-crash-injured-woman/8188242001/
- https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2021/11/24/uber-eats-driver-was-on-phone-when-she-hit-killed-ut-student-lawsuit-says/
- https://www.berkeleyside.org/2021/12/22/doordash-injunctive-relief-wrongful-death-lawsuit-berkeley
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