Class Action Lawsuit Claims Uber Misrepresented $1 “Safe Ride” Fare to Customers
A class action lawsuit against Uber – one of the fastest-growing and most controversial technology companies in the United States this year – was filed in a federal court in San Francisco on Tuesday, December 23rd, claiming that the company misrepresented $1 “Safe Ride Fees” to its customers.
The class action lawsuit follows consumer protection laws, claiming that UberX misrepresented the nature of the “$1 Safe Ride Fee,” and also misrepresented the nature of the background checks the company performed on potential drivers, which has led to personal injury, assault, and wrongful death lawsuits.
The district attorneys in both San Francisco and Los Angeles filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month, which also accused the company of violating consumer protection laws and making “misleading” statements, which caused harm to their customers.
UberX has been in competition with taxi companies in many states and the mobile app company, which hires people with vehicles as independent contractors who pick up fares through the smartphone app, has made numerous claims that it is not a cab service and should not be subject to those regulations. The company has also stated that it rigorously screens its drivers, although the company maintains that it is not subject to taxi company standards for screening employees. Now, the class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of California resident Byron McKnight and Michigan resident Matthew Phillben, claims that Uber failed to perform at least industry-standard background checks on its drivers, in spite of its claims.
San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who filed the civil consumer protection lawsuit with Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, said that Uber’s claims provide customers with a “false sense of security” as to the safety and competency of drivers.
Class Actions for Consumer Protection
Class actions and consumer protection cases can stem from an almost unlimited variety of misconduct or defective products.
Class action and consumer protection lawsuits the Strom Law Firm, LLC has been involved in include:
- a case against the managed care industry on behalf of physicians for systematically undercutting physician claims for payment for seeing patients;
- race-based life insurance cases against life insurance companies for charging African Americans higher rates for industrial life insurance;
- consumer cases included suing finance companies for adding credit life insurance on to consumer loans;
- a predatory lending case against the title loan industry;
- a predatory lending case against the mortgage industry for systematically steering clients into subprime lending;
- false claims in advertising, including medical claims or health benefits.
The Strom Law Firm Advocates for Consumer Protection Through Class Action Lawsuits
Founded in 1996 by former United States Attorney and assistant solicitor, Pete Strom, the Strom Law Firm, LLC aggressively pursues class action cases. The class action lawyers at the Strom Law Firm enjoy a distinct statewide and national reputation for excellence in the area of consumer protection litigation and class action lawsuits.
The class action lawyers at the Strom Law Firm enjoy a distinct statewide and national reputation for excellence in the area of consumer protection litigation and class action lawsuits. Contact the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your potential class action lawsuit. 803.252.4800
