A Clark County man has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, accusing the ride-hailing company and one of its drivers of negligence after a vehicle dragged and injured him during a pickup attempt in August 2024.
David Morris alleged in a complaint filed Monday in District Court that after his unnamed driver arrived, the vehicle was locked. When he knocked on the door, the driver “accelerated at a high speed while plaintiff’s left hand was stuck in the door handle, caught by his wedding ring.”
“Plaintiff was dragged and slammed against pavement for approximately 300 feet by defendant John Doe, Lyft driver, before plaintiff was able to get loose,” the complaint stated.
The lawsuit seeks more than $15,000 in compensatory damages, special damages exceeding $15,000, damages for medical care and treatment, attorney fees and compensation for lost earnings.
Lyft did not respond to a request for comment.
Morris’ complaint also accuses Lyft of negligent hiring practices, alleging the company should have known the driver “was incompetent, unfit and dangerous in his capacity as a driver.”
Lyft’s requirements to drive for the company in Nevada include possessing a valid license, being at least 25 years old and passing a screening that includes a driving history review and criminal background check.
Potential disqualifying offenses include: being listed on the national sex offender registry and convictions for violent crimes, sex offenses or an act of terror. The company also retains the right to disqualify prospective drivers for drug or alcohol offenses, fraud or theft convictions within the past seven years.
The complaint does not detail how Lyft failed to employ proper hiring practices.
The company currently faces other lawsuits across the country over alleged passenger injuries, safety violations — particularly related to sexual assault — and negligence in vetting drivers.
On Tuesday, noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump also announced that he is representing two families affected by alleged negligence by drivers and the ride-hailing company, including one case seeking $50 million in damages. In that particular case, Crump alleged that a Raleigh-area woman was sexually assaulted by her driver, who had a criminal record.
Contact Devan Patel at dpatel@reviewjournal.com
