Their Uber Driver Crashed. A Pizza Order Unraveled Their Injury Lawsuit (opens in new tab)

(nytimes.com)

18 pointsdavezatch1y ago11 comments

11 comments

I don't understand the focus on the pizza order. I guess it makes a better headline? There were multiple times the parents agreed to arbitration over the course of their using the Uber app. The pizza one was just the most recent. The real problem IMHO is forced arbitration in general, and click through contracts.

janice19991y ago

> I guess it makes a better headline?

No. It is about the pizza order in the same way that Disney tried to get out of a wrongful death suit using terms in the Disney+ app account signup. No one ordering food or using a TV app knows about arbitration clauses which are so broad that they should be illegal.

mrgoldenbrown1y ago

But the pizza order was only one instance of several times the parents would have had to agree to arbitration. Even if the pizza has never happened, they would still have been stuck in arbitration.

1 more reply

gnabgib1y ago

Discussion (60 points, 3 days ago, 58 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41704657

FrustratedMonky1y ago

So, by using the app, I'm not covered? Then if I'm not covered by any insurance from Uber, what does cover me as a user. Is it just my personal health insurance?

Asking for real. What is the way accidents are resolved? I'm suddenly a little hesitant to use Uber, because it is too risky.

mrgoldenbrown1y ago

I suspect they wanted to sue for a large payout, much more than covering health care costs. Notice their attorney refused to discuss the proposed amount. They figured a jury would give them more than an arbitrator paid by Uber.

treyfitty1y ago

This is pure speculation and unhelpful to the discussion. This sets a bad precedent for the reach of admissibility of T&C agreements, regardless of amount.

asimovfan1y ago

Just uber? Doesn't that practically apply to any app you use with any corporation?

FrustratedMonky1y ago

Yes, of course you are correct. There was funny South Park where Apple confiscated the kids because the terms of service had signed away their life.

But in this specific case. Guess I'm now faced with this actual bodily harm, and it isn't a joke anymore.

ChrisArchitect1y ago

[dupe]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41704657

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

11 comments

mrgoldenbrown1y ago

janice19991y ago

> I guess it makes a better headline?

mrgoldenbrown1y ago

But the pizza order was only one instance of several times the parents would have had to agree to arbitration. Even if the pizza has never happened, they would still have been stuck in arbitration.

1 more reply

gnabgib1y ago

Discussion (60 points, 3 days ago, 58 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41704657

FrustratedMonky1y ago

So, by using the app, I'm not covered? Then if I'm not covered by any insurance from Uber, what does cover me as a user. Is it just my personal health insurance?

Asking for real. What is the way accidents are resolved? I'm suddenly a little hesitant to use Uber, because it is too risky.

mrgoldenbrown1y ago

treyfitty1y ago

This is pure speculation and unhelpful to the discussion. This sets a bad precedent for the reach of admissibility of T&C agreements, regardless of amount.

asimovfan1y ago

Just uber? Doesn't that practically apply to any app you use with any corporation?

FrustratedMonky1y ago

Yes, of course you are correct. There was funny South Park where Apple confiscated the kids because the terms of service had signed away their life.

But in this specific case. Guess I'm now faced with this actual bodily harm, and it isn't a joke anymore.

ChrisArchitect1y ago

[dupe]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41704657

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse