Uber Eats Accident Highlights Dangers Of Distracted Driving
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
It’s no big secret that Americans are addicted to their phones. After all, just take a quick glance around any public place and you’ll likely see dozens who are staring at their screens. While there’s nothing really wrong with that on its own, it can become a problem when drivers begin to look away from the road and at their screens. And a recent accident involving an Uber Eats driver raises more concerns about technology and how it impacts our safety on the road.A Growing Problem
First, it’s worth understanding the basics of distracted driving itself. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,100 people are killed each year on average due to distracted driving.
It has become a problem so severe that it is now considered just as big a risk as drunk driving, and causes just as many accidents.
Distracted driving can mean anything:
• Texting while driving
• Using social media while driving
• Making a phone call while driving
• Changing radio stations
• Eating while driving
• And more
Of course, it’s primarily thought of as a cell-phone specific issue due to the fact that phones are the largest source of distraction for drivers today.
The Latest Accident
Recently, this issue was the source of a fatality in Texas thanks to an Uber Eats driver – which raises even more questions about technology, delivery services, and accidents. In the accident in question, an Uber Eats driver was distracted by his cellphone and drifted into the center turning lane. Upon doing so, he collided head on with a truck.
The driver suffered minor injuries while the truck passengers were seriously hurt. But, the passenger riding with the driver of the Uber Eats sedan was killed in the accident. It’s the latest in a constant string of deaths related to distracted driving and another example of how technology can impact our safety on the roads of Florida – this accident occurred in Texas, but Florida roads are no safer.
Liability And Fault
Under Florida law, those who are injured in an accident can seek financial compensation for their injuries if they can show that they were hurt due to the reckless or negligent actions of someone else. Reckless behavior certainly includes the use of a smartphone while operating a motor vehicle, and as such if you’re hurt by a driver who is distracted you may have the right to file a personal injury auto accident lawsuit.
But in the case of something such as the accident above, who is at fault? While in trucking accidents it may be possible that the trucking company is held liable along with the driver, this usually won’t be the case in a situation like this.
The reason is that Uber Eats and other similar delivery services or ride services have very strict guidelines that all drivers must agree to. Essentially, each driver agrees that they are responsible for maintaining the utmost level of safety when driving for the company. As such, they assume all liability and responsibility.
That doesn’t mean that you don’t have rights, of course. You can still file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who acted in a negligent or reckless manner. The only difference is that you’ll have to focus the lawsuit solely on the driver and their negligent or reckless actions.
Our team can help. With decades of legal experience and a history of getting results for our clients, we are here to make sure that you get the justice you deserve. Contact our law offices today to get your free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help you.