By Rafsana Writu
The rideshare company Uber has been in the national news lately following a court battle that was won by former professional hockey player, Brandon Crawley, who was awarded $19 million by a jury1. This staggering amount was arrived at following an accident that Crawley had with Uber that caused injuries that ended his promising hockey career.
Crawley, a former draft pick of the New York Rangers, was riding an Uber on Christmas Day 2018 in Glen Rock, New Jersey2. The driver lost control of the car during the ride and pulled over to the side of the road, crashing into the utility pole. The crash left Crawley with severe injuries to his head.
He continued playing hockey, but later on, he became seriously ill, with post-concussion syndrome and vision impairment that ultimately compelled him to quit playing on a professional basis. Injuries ended the professional hockey career that would otherwise have been long and fruitful.
The Lawsuit Against Uber
Crawley sued Uber and the driver who was involved in the crash in 2020. The legal question that the case concentrated on was whether Uber workers are employees or independent contractors. The legal team of Crawley claimed that Uber is the party that should be liable since the business has a substantial level of control over its drivers.
For example, Uber:
- Follows up with drivers via its mobile application.
- Establishes car and safety standards.
- Conducts background checks
It has the power to shut down drivers due to these arguments, the plaintiff claimed that the driver should be regarded as an Uber agent or employee, which is why the company should have been held liable for the accident2. Uber continued to hold that drivers are independent contractors, and thus the company is not supposed to be legally held responsible for what they do.
The Jury’s Decision is Loud & Clear
Having listened to the case in Bergen County Superior Court, the jury decided in favor of Crawley and gave him 19 million dollars in damages. The compensation consisted of:
- The lost future career earnings, $15 million
- $3 million for past lost wages
- $1 million pain and suffering3.
The jury found that the accident had altered the course of Crawley’s life forever, as it had ruined his career and brought him permanent medical issues4.
Why the Case Matters
The case is significant as it is among the first cases in New Jersey that put Uber at fault due to the acts of one of its drivers. The ruling might affect future cases against rideshare businesses and the safety of their passengers.
The case also brings up more general concerns regarding the gig economy, specifically whether the companies that use contract workers are responsible for accidents and incidences caused by their contractors.
Brandon Crawley’s case, which cost the company $19 million, shows the huge negative impact of a single accident that has lifelong implications. To Crawley, the crash was more than just physical harm; it terminated a professional hockey career that was just starting. Such cases are likely to become significant in the future as rideshare services continue to grow and the courts have to decide on cases involving responsibility in the case of accidents.
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, please contact our experienced NYC trial attorneys for a free, no-obligation case consultation today.
Sources
1 Yahoofinance. 2026. “Jury Awards Former NHL Player Brandon Crawley $19 Million in Lawsuit against Uber Technologies, Inc.” Yahoo Finance. January 29, 2026.
2 Levine, Cecilia. 2026. “NHL Prospect Brandon Crawley Awarded $19M in Uber Crash.” Fair Lawn-Glen Rock Daily Voice. February 10, 2026.
3 Lissner, Caren. 2026. “NY Rangers Hockey Player from NJ Who Sued Uber Wins $19M Jury Award.” Ridgewood-Glen Rock, NJ Patch. Patch. February 11, 2026.
4 Attrino, Anthony G. 2026. “Ex-Rangers Draft Pick Wins $19M Verdict after Career-Ending Uber Crash in N.J.” Nj. February 10, 2026.
