Much of the focus on Uber drivers and car accidents involves the rideshare drivers who cause the crash. However, Uber drivers can also be the victims of dangerous car accidents caused by drivers who are distracted, speeding, or drunk. A driver who caused a fatal accident in Denver has been found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. 

Uber Driver and Passenger Accident

Mark Karla, 45, had been attending a Garth Brooks concert at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on June 9th. Karla, a dentist and the son-in-law of the Colorado Springs mayor, called for an Uber to get home after the accident. An Uber driver, Yasir Hasan, picked up Karla and they drove east down Colfax. 

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Jeffrey Dean Sloan was fleeing from police in a stolen car. Sloan ran a red light traveling at nearly twice the speed limit, crashing into Hasan's vehicle. Sloan fled the scene, failing to call 9-1-1 or help the injury victims. Hasan died at the scene of the accident and Karla was rushed to the hospital. Karla suffered massive brain trauma and eventually succumbed to his injuries on July 1st. 

Like most Uber drivers, Hasan was driving as a ride-share driver to make some extra money. The 33-year-old came to the U.S. from Iraq in 2012 after his family was threatened by al Qaida and ISIS because of his brother's military service. According to his family, Hasan came to the country for a better life, a better future, and to live safely. He became engaged shortly before the tragic accident.  

Vehicular Homicide for the Driver

Sloan was convicted of 2 counts of vehicular homicide for killing Hasan and Karla. Sloan was also convicted of first-degree assault with extreme indifference, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and vehicular eluding with death. Sloan faces a prison term of up to 88 years. 

When Uber was notified that their license would not be renewed, TfL said the company needed to address numerous safety issues, including insurance coverage and driver checks. Uber appealed, and a judge granted a 15-month extension, then another extension, now a hearing is planned for September. Until the hearing is decided, Uber can continue to operate in London. 

One of the most concerning “pattern of failures” is the Uber app allowing unauthorized drivers to upload their photos to another Uber driver's account. According to TfL, there were at least 14,000 fraudulent trips in London by unauthorized drivers, putting passenger safety and security at risk. 

Another problem with the app service was allowing, “dismissed or suspended drivers to create an Uber account and carry passengers, again compromising passenger safety and security.” There were also problems with allowing the use of vehicles without the proper insurance coverage.

Are the Uber Safety Updates Meaningful?

Uber has claimed they addressed the safety issues cited but the city is concerned that Uber's systems appear to be easily manipulated. In many cases, the rideshare company is aware of safety issues and ways drivers try to get around any restrictions but fail to take immediate action to protect passengers. 

Why is London so important to Uber? According to the company, almost a quarter of all sales are in just 5 cities: 

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Los Angeles
• São Paulo
• London

London is not the only place giving Uber the boot. According to a BBC article, Bulgaria and Hungary no longer allow Uber to operate and Uber pulled out of Denmark because the country required Uber drivers to have fare meters and seat sensors. Other countries have partial Uber bans. 

Lyft does not have the same problems in London or many other countries because Lyft primarily operates in the U.S. As of last year, the only place outside the U.S. where Lyft was available was Canada. Even in Canada, Lyft only operates in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.

Uber Accidents in Colorado

Rideshare accidents can cause injury to the drivers, passengers, or others on the road. If you were injured in a traffic accident involving a Lyft or Uber vehicle, you should be compensated for your losses. Contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.