Uber has been ordered to pay $40 million to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, a 23-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle. Her Uber driver had left her and a friend beside a Southern California freeway following a night out. 

The award was issued after a five-day arbitration proceeding, with $20 million awarded to each of Normandin-Parker’s parents, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker.

The incident occurred Aug. 12, 2023, when Normandin-Parker and her friend, Luna Moore, were traveling in an Uber after spending the evening together. Moore became sick during the ride, and the driver, identified in court reporting as Vu Tran, pulled over near State Route 73 in Orange County.

According to the family’s attorneys and the arbitration findings reported by the Los Angeles Times, the women were left in an area near the freeway. Normandin-Parker was subsequently struck and killed by traffic.

Uber Denies Responsibility

A central issue in the arbitration was whether Uber could be held responsible for the conduct of a driver it classified as an independent contractor.

Uber argued that California law and Proposition 22 protected the company from liability for the driver's actions. The arbitrator rejected that argument and determined that Uber had a duty to protect its passengers and could be held accountable for harm caused by the driver.

Uber disputed the decision.

In a statement cited by CBS Los Angeles, the company said it respected the arbitration process but believed the arbitrator was wrong to hold Uber legally responsible for the incident. Uber also expressed condolences to the Normandin-Parker family.

The family's attorneys said Uber initially proposed a settlement that would have restricted the parents from publicly discussing the case, including a provision requiring substantial payments if they spoke publicly. The parents rejected the proposal.

Family Creates Foundation in Emily's Memory

Normandin-Parker's parents have established the Emily Normandin-Parker Foundation in their UCLA graduate daughter's memory. The organization is intended to advocate for stronger safety protections for rideshare passengers.

The family has said its concerns extend beyond the financial award. They want changes that could prevent another passenger from being placed in a dangerous situation.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the parents intend to use the award to support the foundation.

Uber Has Faced Other Lawsuits

The Normandin-Parker case is not the only significant litigation involving Uber and passenger safety.

Uber has faced thousands of lawsuits alleging sexual assault or harassment by drivers. Those cases have been consolidated into federal multidistrict litigation in California. Plaintiffs have alleged that Uber failed to adequately screen drivers, respond to complaints or implement sufficient safety measures. The allegations remain disputed and are being addressed through the legal process.

There have also been other wrongful-death and personal-injury cases involving Uber. In one California case, state workplace-safety officials sought records concerning the death of an Uber Eats driver, Dino Park, who died after suffering injuries during a delivery. A California appeals court in 2026 upheld an order requiring Uber to provide certain records to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Another Illinois case involved a wrongful-death claim after an Uber-related vehicle crash. The litigation raised questions about Uber's arbitration provisions and whether the family's claims belonged in court or arbitration.

These cases illustrate the broader legal questions surrounding the rideshare industry's business model, including the responsibilities of companies toward passengers and drivers and the legal significance of independent-contractor classifications.

Remembering Emily Normandin-Parker

Emily Normandin-Parker's death has become the focus of her family's efforts to improve rideshare safety.

The case also demonstrates how quickly a routine rideshare trip can become a life-threatening situation when passengers are left in unsafe locations.

For the Normandin-Parker family, the $40 million award cannot undo their daughter's death. Their stated goal is to use the experience to push for changes in the rideshare industry and to honor Emily's memory.

USA Herald Coverage by Jackie Allen

Jackie Allen has also reported on Uber, technology and other issues involving transportation and consumer safety for the USA Herald. One earlier article examined Uber's partnership with autonomous delivery company Avride, while another USA Herald report covered Uber Eats service disruptions following Hurricane Milton.

Allen's technology reporting includes “Open Secure AI Alliance Forms as Tech Industry Pushes for AI Security”, while her recent reporting also includes “AI Amnesia: Bigger Diffusion Models May Make It Harder to Trace What They Learned.”

The latest arbitration ruling adds another significant case to the long-running legal debate over rideshare safety, corporate responsibility and the protections passengers can expect when they enter an app-based vehicle.

Additional Information:

• Los Angeles Times — $40 million Uber award in Emily Normandin-Parker case
• CBS Los Angeles — Family awarded $40 million
• Ninth Circuit — Uber passenger-safety litigation and multidistrict proceedings
• California Court of Appeal — Uber workplace-safety case