Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have completely changed the way people look for taxi services. With the push of a button, someone is able to call a friendly, professional driver to take them where they need to go. These companies have led to a steep drop in accidents involving drunk driving; however, these drivers also place themselves in harm’s way. An Uber driver recently picked up a teenager in front of a Walmart. Sadly, the teen had shoplifted weapons from the local Walmart before hailing an Uber. When the Uber showed up to take the teen where she needed to go, the teenager decided to stab the Uber driver to death using a machete that she had shoplifted from the Walmart.
The Uber driver was able to get away from the scene of the crime and sought help from a nearby apartment building. He was transported to a local hospital; however, later died from his injuries. Police responded to the scene and found the teenager near the scene of the crime. The teenager still had the weapons in her possession.
This story is a tragedy in multiple ways. In response to the Walmart shoplifting accident, a lawsuit has been filed against Walmart. According to sigurdsonlaw.com, a personal injury claim can be made if someone has suffered a “serious injury due to the negligence or direct actions of someone else.” This wrongful death case is alleging negligence on behalf of Walmart. In the court documents, the lawsuit alleges that there is supposed to be an employee that is tasked with watching for shoplifters as people leave the store. The court documents claim that this employee was standing only a few feet away from the teenager as she walked out of the store with the shoplifted items. Often, these employees will ask for people to show their receipts as a form of proof that they have paid for the items in their possession. As this teenager walked out of the store around 3 AM, the lawsuit alleges that nobody stopped or questioned the teenager in any way. Nobody asked her to show a receipt. Therefore, the suit claims, if the employee had done his or her job, this teenager wouldn’t have gotten away with shoplifting and this Uber driver would not have been killed.
This story is a tragedy; however, it could have been prevented. It is important for everyone to make sure their rights are defended in cases such as these. Parties responsible for injuries and deaths should always be held accountable.
