When you use ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, you expect some level of safety, right? The same goes for when you use hotel services. Sadly, more news stations continue to report on horrific crimes committed by individuals posing as legitimate entrepreneurs. Now, the Ross Township Police have apprehended a former Lyft driver who is accused of stalking and raping one of his customers back in July of 2017.

Lyft Driver Accused of Stalking Ride-Share Customer into Hotel Before Raping Her

The suspect, 30-year-old Darrel Hardy, was reportedly working with Lyft back in 2017. He was tasked with driving one woman and her friend to a hotel room. Instead of dropping them off and going about his business, he followed the two inside the hotel. The victim alleges that Hardy went on to sexually assault her. The following day, she reached out to the police.

While police promptly identified the suspect, not much could be done because he had recently moved away to Iraq. In September of 2018, police re-opened the case and discovered that Hardy was currently imprisoned at the Allegheny County Jail on an unrelated charge. Finally, they’ve been able to press charges against the suspect for the stalking and rape that occurred back in 2017.

The Implications of Poor Hotel Security

At least one major security flaw was exposed in this recent news article, as well as many other stories surfacing throughout the nation. The hotel’s negligent security was a huge contributing factor to the victim’s assault. Had hotel security been present, it’s more likely that the suspect would not have gained entry into the hotel and the victim’s room. Here are a few other things that can happen when a hotel’s security isn’t up to par:

•  Assaults

•  Theft

•  Fatalities

The hotel property owner owes each customer a duty of care to reasonably provide for their safety.

Do Victims Have Legal Recourse?

When a situation like this happens, does the victim have any legal recourse? Yes, victims can seek out a premises liability lawsuit against the hotel owner. You’ll need to prove that the hotel owner should have known about the potentially dangerous situation, and they were negligent in providing for your security. If you’re unsure whether you have a claim or not, then it’s best to seek out the advice of an experienced attorney.

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Negligent Security Case in Pennsylvania

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to negligent hotel security in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at The Law Office of Mark A. Smith represent clients injured because of negligent security in Erie, Homestead, Pittsburgh and throughout PA. Call 412-567-1313 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.