Drivers who operate their vehicles in an unsafe manner can end up causing a devastating accident. Often, the reckless drivers involved in these crashes will say that they were distracted, in a hurry or not thinking clearly behind the wheel. In these cases, their actions are generally linked to their individual negligence as a driver.
But what if a driver is encouraged to take risks and drive aggressively by another party? Should that party also be held accountable if the unsafe behaviors they promoted contributed to a crash? That is what one family is claiming after a man was recently fatally injured in an accident involving a delivery driver for Jimmy John’s.
Residents across Atlanta are likely familiar with the popular sandwich chain and may also be aware of their slogan highlighting their “freaky fast delivery.” But this is the very claim that may have gotten the company in trouble. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in another state, the company’s promise to deliver food as quickly as possible promotes speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors.
This claim stemmed from a tragic accident involving a delivery driver who was allegedly speeding and checking the clock while driving when he crashed into a man who was crossing the street. The victim’s family has argued that Jimmy John’s should be held accountable for the accident because of the “freaky fast” expectations they put on their delivery drivers. Jimmy John’s has long used speed as one of the company’s top priorities, and the victim’s family argues that this encourages dangerous behaviors that put pedestrians and other motorists at risk of being injured by a driver who is expected to be fast.
What do you think? Should Jimmy John’s be held accountable for accidents caused by their delivery drivers?
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Jimmy John’s sued in pedestrian’s death,” Richard Webner, Feb. 5, 2014
