Can I Sue Uber for Parking Too Far from the Curb in New York?

In 2022, Uber completed a reported 7.6 billion trips – representing a year-over-year increase of over 20%. It is clear that Uber is extremely popular in urban areas like New York. With so many trips completed each year, crashes are inevitable. However, the inevitability of these crashes does not necessarily suggest that they are mere accidents. Indeed, many Uber crashes are the direct result of negligence. So when exactly can you sue your Uber driver in New York?

Uber Sued for Parking Too Far From the Curb 

Uber drivers can potentially face legal action for even the slightest mistakes. As long as these mistakes compromise the safety of passengers and lead directly to injuries, they may form the basis for personal injury lawsuits. Such was the case on October 19th, when Insurance Journal reported that Uber was being sued for parking too far away from the curb. While this might seem like a ridiculous reason to sue the company, the details clearly show that this was a legitimate form of negligence.

The plaintiff alleges that she was injured while attempting to board an Uber vehicle in New York City – claiming that the vehicle was parked too far away from the curb. She apparently tripped on a defect in the road while stepping from the curb toward the vehicle. According to New York law, taxis and similar vehicles must park within 12 inches of the curb when picking up passengers.

Initially, this lawsuit was dismissed by a lower court. However, the plaintiff appealed – and the Supreme Court of New York reversed the decision. Now, the lawsuit will move forward once again – and the plaintiff could receive compensation for her injuries. A major factor in this decision was the defendant’s admission that he parked two feet from the curb – twice the safe distance outlined by New York law.

A major challenge moving forward for the plaintiff will be to establish causation. In other words, she needs to show that the Uber driver’s failure to park within 12 inches of the curb led directly to her injuries. If an Uber vehicle parks within 12 inches of the curb, the assumption is that the passenger can step directly into the vehicle without even touching the street. If there was no need to step onto the street, the plaintiff never would have tripped on a defect in the sidewalk. This is the type of argument that her injury lawyers will need to pursue.

Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in New York? 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced New York personal injury attorney, look no further than Cohan Law, PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs pursue positive results. We know that Uber crashes can be incredibly traumatic and life-altering. There is no need to accept the financial and emotional cost of these crashes without taking legal action. Book your consultation today to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Sources: 

businessofapps.com/data/uber-statistics/

insurancejournal.com/news/east/2023/10/19/744893.html