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Uber Driver Sues After Being Attacked by Customer

On Behalf of | Mar 10, 2016 | Personal Injury

A 23-year-old Uber driver now sleeps with a shotgun within reach after being attacked by a customer-and it was all caught on his dashcam.

Edward Caban was driving for Uber the night of Halloween when a fare became violent. Caban had purchased a dash cam on the advice of other Uber drivers, who said it would come in handy when fares complained or lied about their rides to get compensation from the rideshare company. Some clients are also too drunk to give proper instructions to their destination.

The night of the incident, Caban picked up Benjamin Golden, a 32-year-old Taco Bell executive. Caban says he felt threatened by Golden and so swung his dash cam to capture the interior of the car in case something happened. Golden was drunk and unable to give Caban directions, so eventually Caban pulled into a parking lot and told Golden to get out.

That’s when Golden launched up from the backseat and began pummeling Caban, who pepper sprayed Golden. Golden was charged with misdemeanor counts of assault, battery, battery on a public transit employee, and faces up to a year in jail or a $10,000 fine if convicted. Golden was fired from his job at Taco Bell corporate the following Monday.

Since Uber considers it’s drivers contractors and not employees, Uber drivers are not eligible for benefits such as worker’s compensation if they are injured on the job, either by their fares or in an accident. Uber does not provide any sort of insurance for it’s drivers, and some insurance carriers refuse to insure drivers who use their car for ride share service-like Uber and Lyft-to make extra money.

At Bouchillon, Crossan & Colburn, L.C., our attorneys have more than 40 years dedicated to giving clients the attention, advice, support and empowerment they need to effectively meet their goals. We are committed to the principle that all persons shall have equal justice under the law. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking a qualified personal injury attorney, contact our Huntington, West Virginia office to speak with an attorney about your case, or call 304-521-4636.

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