A wrongful death lawsuit settlement has been reached between the mobile app company Uber and the family of a 6-year old girl who was killed in a car accident in San Francisco.
According to the wrongful death lawsuit, 6-year old Sofia L. along with her brother and mother were hit by a driver logged on to the Uber app while they were in a crosswalk on New Year’s Eve in 2013.
At the time of the accident, the driver was signed in to the transportation network company reporting that he was available to provide rides to passengers.
The terms of the Uber settlement will be kept confidential due to the family’s request of privacy. However, Uber has provided a statement after the wrongful death lawsuit settlement: ”The [family] suffered a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to them. While we cannot ease their pain, we do hope that this settlement helps the family move forward.”
Uber is a popular app company that arranges rides between drivers and customers with an estimated worth of more than $40 billion. The company is under scrutiny in multiple other litigations including one potential Uber class action lawsuit that alleges Uber drivers should be considered employees rather than independent contractors.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits Explained
Family members who lost a loved one unexpectedly due to the negligent or deliberate behavior of someone else can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These lawsuits can help surviving families recover financially from funeral costs, medical bills as well as the emotional suffering that occurs with a devastating loss.
In all U.S. states, wrongful death lawsuits can be filed by a surviving spouse, parent, or child. There are some states that also allow wrongful death lawsuits to be filed by life partners, siblings and grandparents of the victim.
In order to have a successful wrongful death lawsuit, family members must be able to prove that the death occurred due to the reckless behavior of a person or company. Family members are also required to provide a measurable financial amount they should receive based on the untimely death of their loved one.
Due to the severity of pain or degree of intention, some wrongful death lawsuits are straightforward and others are more complicated.
The Uber Wrongful Death Lawsuit is Ang Liang Liu et al. vs. Uber Technologies et al., Case No. 14-536979 in the San Francisco Superior Court.
Obtain a Free Wrongful Death Case Evaluation
If your loved one died from a personal injury caused by the negligence or intentional misconduct of another party, you may be able to pursue compensation for your loss, including but not limited to: medical or funeral expenses, loss of financial support, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and punitive damages.
The following types of wrongful death cases are common examples of what a family member can sue for:
- Car Accidents
- Bicycle or Pedestrian Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Medication Errors
- Workplace Accidents
- Drowning Accidents
- Nursing Home Neglect/Abuse
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Defective Products
- Other Personal Injury Claims that Caused the Death
