Miami Dade Group Files Federal Class Action Law Suit Against Uber and Lyft for Regulation Violations Contributing to Public Endangerment

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MIAMI, Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Uber and Lyft can add one more lawsuit to the pile of legal troubles that have been mounting up for both companies over the last year. Today, Patino Law & Associates, announced that a class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Florida against Uber Technologies and Lyft, Inc. for failing to follow regulatory laws, deceiving the public and its drivers about its business practices and endangering the safety of the public at large.

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The lawsuit against Uber and Lyft, which was filed on behalf of the riding public, the physically disabled, taxi drivers and fee for hire companies calls for injunctive relief for the protection and safety of the general public and seeks to prohibit the two entities from continuing to engage in rideshare transportation services without a for-hire license, passenger service company registration or certificate of transportation.

"These regulations exist to ensure that the vehicles that provide us with transportation, be it a school bus, ambulance, taxi or any other for-hire vehicle, are properly equipped and maintained and that the drivers are well trained to ensure everyone's safety on the road."

The lawsuit demands that Uber and Lyft work within the regulatory scheme that was created by Miami Dade County through ordinances and claims that their failure to do so jeopardizes the welfare of the riding public in the following ways:

• The vehicles are not inspected.
• There is no record of vehicles being maintained.
• Drivers do not have for-hire chauffeur registration licenses and identification.
• Criminal background checks are not being done through the recognized and approved process.
• Their insurance is not under the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) insured network of companies and is therefore not compliant with the Miami Dade County Code of Ordinances.

As defined by the Miami Dade County Code of Ordinances (MDCCO), defendants Uber and Lyft are passenger service companies who hire drivers to provide for-hire transportation services to consumers through the use of a smartphone application, receiving a portion of all profits rendered by said drivers. To date, neither Uber or Lyft have attempted to apply for nor have they received any form of licensure from Miami-Dade County.

While their lack of regulatory compliance is certainly of importance, more important are the implications that such violations have on public safety. One such example is Uber and Lyft's misrepresentation of its available insurance coverage in an attempt to lure customers to their service and undermine the business of Plaintiffs and putative class.

"Innovation is one of the cornerstones of the American way of life, but so is respect for the rule of law," said Ralph Patino, founding member of Patino Law & Associates. "Rule of law is grounded on the perception that laws will be upheld when they are violated - regardless of the identity of the entity responsible for such violations."

SOURCE Patino Law & Associates