SAN FRANCISCO – A Lyft passenger is seeking damages from the ride-hailing company after a driver's truck door struck him in the face.
Phillip Sontag filed a complaint on Dec. 13 in the San Francisco Superior Court against Lyft Inc. and Does 1 through 10 alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 3, 2017, Sontag requested a ride to the Los Angeles International Airport via defendant Lyft. He alleges the defendant's driver told him he had broken his back and asked him to retrieve his own luggage. The plaintiff complied and alleges almost instantly, the trunk door slammed down on his face, hitting the bridge of his nose. He alleges the driver got out to check on him but did not offer assistance before driving away.
The plaintiff holds Lyft Inc. and Does 1 through 10 responsible because the defendant allegedly provided an unfit and not adequately trained or supervised driver.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for general and special damages, prejudgment interest, costs of suit, and such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Richard C. Valerian and Xinying Valerian of Valerian Law in Albany.
San Francisco Superior Court case number CGC18572068