Seeking help for financial hardship

Expendable Drivers: How the Rideshare Industry and Insurance Giants Neglect Those Who Risk Their Lives

It was a rainy night on the 28th, around 12:50 AM. I remember there weren’t many drivers out that night. I was facing numerous distractions from Uber customer service regarding an outstanding balance of $150, which led them to collect any amount I earned from my rides. I desperately needed gas, so I started asking them to either load my card with at least $20 for gas or stop taking my ride earnings, allowing me to continue accepting ride requests. Unfortunately, they treated my request as a joke and began toying with me.

After dropping off a couple in Newport, KY, I was en route to pick up another ride in the same area when I received a notification about a deposit to my Uber Pro card. I thought, "Finally, I can get gas!" However, when I checked the app, I saw that they had only sent me $0.01. Frustrated!!! there is a screenshot above along with the recent photos I just shared just seconds before the crash, my wallet showed the $0.01 I received from Uber customer service to buy gas!

I accepted that this would be my last ride, and I was done playing games with Uber customer service.

Something made me double check the amount I received, confirming it was indeed $0.01. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, I crashed into something that made a horrifying sound. I could hear people banging on my car, but I lost track of time. Eventually, I heard someone asking me to unlock the door. It took me a moment to figure out how to unlock my own car door after the police attempted to break it open, believing I wasn’t responding.

Once I was out of the car, they took me to the hospital, where they ran various tests to determine if I was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They found nothing and told me my slurred speech was due to hitting my head hard against the steering wheel. I underwent a CT scan of my head, X-rays of my back and legs, and an MRI a few weeks later, which revealed fractures in my spine. The doctor diagnosed me with a concussion, and my car was a total loss. 

Many, including doctors, have told me how lucky I am to be alive. It took me 12 months to fully recover from my injuries, while Uber and my insurance played their own games, leaving me unable to collect any compensation.

Many, including doctors, have told me how fortunate I am to be alive. It took me a full 12 months to recover from my injuries, all while Uber and my insurance company played their own games, leaving me without any compensation. To make matters worse, I've struggled to find an attorney willing to take on my case regarding my Uber driving injury.

To make matters worse, I’ve struggled to find an attorney willing to take on my injury case against Uber and Progressive Insurance, who continue to play games with my right to fair compensation. Despite the clear impact on my life, most attorneys hesitate to go up against such large companies. I’ve even turned to crowdfunding on sites like Foundly, but raising the funds for justice has been challenging. Adding to the stress, my phone and internet providers warned me on November 8th that I'm two months behind on bills and face service disconnection by November 15, 2024. It’s disheartening to feel that the system isn’t designed to support individuals in situations like mine.