A California court has ordered Uber to pay $40m to the family of a 23-year-old woman who was killed after an Uber driver allegedly left her on a highway.
On 12 August 2023, Emily Normandin-Parker and a friend were returning home when the friend became ill in the Uber vehicle. The driver allegedly ordered them to exit the car on a California highway. After being forced out, Normandin-Parker was struck and killed by another vehicle. The incident occurred during a ride that had been booked by Normandin-Parker, who was a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Her parents stated that the driver pulled over to the side of the highway and forced the women, who were intoxicated, out of the car. The driver, Vu Tran, did not call for help but instead pulled off to contact Uber and demand a cleaning fee. Judge Richard Stone noted that Tran showed more concern for his vehicle than for the passengers.
Judge Richard Stone ruled in favor of the family after a five-day arbitration process, ordering Uber to pay $40m to Normandin-Parker's parents. Uber had argued that the driver was an independent contractor and not responsible for his actions. The company has since stated it believes the arbitrator was wrong in holding it legally responsible for the event. The law firm representing the family said Uber had initially proposed a settlement of $10m, which the family declined. The arbitration process was conducted by a retired judge, as part of an alternative dispute resolution method outside of court.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights the legal responsibility of rideshare companies for the actions of their drivers, affecting Uber's liability policies.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Uber's response to the ruling and any changes to its driver safety policies will be key next steps.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.