Male Pedestrian Died In Goleta Car Accident Involving Uber On Highway 101
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA (November 14, 2022) – A male pedestrian has tragically died in a Goleta Uber car accident on Highway 101 not far from Fairview Avenue.
Santa Barbara County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:48 a.m. on Friday. A male pedestrian was walking when they were hit by an Uber vehicle.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the pedestrian died as a result of his injuries.
The Uber driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Goleta Uber Accidents
Uber has continued to grow and now accounts for a substantial portion of all vehicle trips in the United States. But this has also led to a sharp increase in the number of Uber accidents. According to Science, “the arrival of ride-sharing was associated with a 2% to 3% increase in the number of car occupants and pedestrians killed in accidents between 2011 and 2016.” There are a number of steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them.
- Drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
All drivers are supposed to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. This is true even if a pedestrian is in the middle of the roadway. Drivers must slow down and take all actions necessary to safeguard the well-being of any pedestrian in the roadway. If a driver failed to slow down and hit a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Uber offers $1,000,000 in liability coverage for accidents involving their drivers. But the Uber driver must have been transporting a passenger or on their way to pick up a passenger. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, Uber has tried to evade direct liability for accidents by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” Victims of car accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
The family of any person that is killed in an Uber accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. A civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. It is essential that evidence is properly preserved after any collision. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A California Uber Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man killed in this Goleta Uber accident. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the CHP.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed due to the negligence of an Uber driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into a collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
