Trial Magazine

Wyatt Zmrzel, 22, used his phone to arrange a ride home with Lyft. Zmrzel and his friend then entered a vehicle operated by Lyft driver Rafiullah Amiri, who, at the time, had his driver’s license for seven months and had been approved as a Lyft driver the previous day.

Amiri began driving on a highway in the opposite direction of Zmrzel’s destination. After traveling over 20 miles off course, Amiri turned slowly, causing a collision with another vehicle traveling 80 mph. Zmrzel suffered fatal injuries in the crash. His friend died 69 days later. Zmrzel is survived by his parents and sibling.

Zmrzel’s parents, among others, sued Lyft, Inc., alleging it negligently failed to investigate, train, or vet Amiri. The plaintiffs asserted that the defendant should have provided safety training before allowing Amri, who was a common carrier, to transport paying passengers. Following motions in limine, the defendant conceded that Amiri was its ostensible agent.

The jury awarded Zmrzel’s parents $6 million.

Citation: Zmrzel v. Lyft, Inc., No. 34-2018-002255197 (Cal. Super. Ct. Sacramento Cty. Dec. 6, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Frederick Penney, Kent Luckey, Kevin Elder, and Garrett Penney, all of Roseville, Calif.