Drag Queens Hurt in Uber Crash

Few details were available after two Drag Race stars were among six serious injury victims in a July 2024 Uber crash in Jefferson Park.

The one-vehicle crash led to a pile-up where one person became trapped inside their car and later died of injuries sustained in the accident, according to the California Highway Patrol. Six others were transported to the hospital to be treated for various injuries, including the two reality stars.

“Morphine was in a serious car accident while in an Uber,” the RuPaul’s Drag Race star’s team shared via Instagram. “She suffered multiple injuries but is grateful to be alive. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Some space and time is appreciated as she focuses on healing.”

Kaos also updated fans after the scary event. “Just so everyone knows, I am OK; I have just been on bed rest,” the drag queen posted.

Canada’s Drag Race alum continued, “I will be making a post explaining what happened this weekend once I am in the right headspace and also can explain it all and the accident.”

Car Crashes and Post-Crash Statements

Maybe it was unintentional, but Kaos had some good advice for all car crash victims. Don’t say anything to anybody, to the greatest possible extent. 

Car crashes, even low-speed car crashes, usually cause head injuries. Therefore, victims aren’t thinking clearly. People with clouded judgment should keep their mouths closed. Just ask anyone who was at our firm’s 2022 Christmas party.

Don’t state the other driver’s insurance company. Telephone adjusters seem like helpful, affable types, like Jake from State Farm. But these individuals know how to subtly extract damaging information from people who aren’t thinking clearly.

Don’t say anything to the other driver or say as little as possible. Don’t say, “I’m sorry.” An insurance company lawyer will almost certainly twist this expression of sympathy into an admission of liability.

Don’t say anything to emergency responders or tell as little as possible. Answer any questions narrowly and concisely. If your answer is over three words long, that’s too long.Breaking one or more of these rules doesn’t torpedo your claim for damages. However, violations make it harder for the Best Rideshare Accident Lawyer in California to obtain maximum compensation for serious injuries.

Liability Issues

These issues are always complex in car crash cases, but they’re especially complex in Uber crash cases, especially in California.

Fatigue is likely the culprit when a crash occurs overnight. This phenomenon is responsible for over half of truck crashes. People are naturally drowsy late at night and early in the morning. 

Driving while fatigued is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Because of impaired judgment and motor skills, drowsy drivers might as well be driving with a .05 BAC level. That’s above the legal limit for commercial operators in California.

Usually, the ridesharing company is financially responsible for damages in these cases. The respondeat superior doctrine applies if the tortfeasor (negligent driver) was an employee working in the course and scope of employment at the time of the crash.

Uber drivers are indeed independent contractors for most purposes. But they’re employees for negligence purposes, even in California. Uber controls their behavior because the company tells them who to pick up, where to pick them up, and where to drop them off.

Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today!

Car crashes can cause serious injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.