Shocking Video: Uber Passenger Assaulted by Driver After Asking About Service Dog
Shocking footage has just been released showing an Uber driver head-butting his passenger while holding his service dog. The passenger, 45 year-old Bryan Kobel suffered a brain injury as a result of the attack.
Shocking Video Shows Illegal Uber Driver Knocking Out Passenger
Kobel had ordered an Uber in April 2025 after leaving a restaurant in South Carolina. When he approached the Uber, Kobel had asked the driver, who was identified as 42 year-old Vadim Uliumdzhiev, if his service dog was allowed inside the vehicle. Instead of just saying no and canceling the ride, Uliumdzhiev stepped out of his vehicle and head-butted and punched Kobel in the head.
The disturbing encounter was caught on video, in which you see both Kobel and his dog, a 17 pound golden doodle, fall onto the ground as Uliumdzhiev returns to his vehicle. As reported by the New York Post, Kobel recalled the incident stating, “The next thing I know, I’m waking up in a hospital bed with seven staples in my head and four stitches.”
Kobel suffered significant injuries, including a concussion, amnesia and scarring.
Uliumdzhiev’s Arrest and Uber’s Negligent Hiring Practices
After the attack, a bystander snapped photos of Uliumdzhiev’s license plate. Uliumdzhiev was later arrested for assault and battery. After posting bond, it was discovered that Uliumdzhiev was in the United States illegally. He was later transferred to a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Folkston, GA.
Uber requires all of its drivers to have a valid U.S. driver’s license, as well as proof of vehicle insurance and residency. Uliumdzhiev had used a fake license to sign up with the popular rideshare company. Kobel filed a lawsuit against Uber with the hope that the company improves their safety measures.
In a statement given this week, Uber condemned the assault but didn’t offer any insight into how Uliumdzhiev slipped through the cracks.
This case is just one of many lately that highlights Uber’s prioritization of profits over passenger safety. In a recent blog, we revealed that Uber uses a third-party screening app that is often insufficient in flagging potentially dangerous drivers. With alleged automation and human oversight that is supposed to catch fake IDs, Uliumdzhiev still slipped through. It begs the question: If he fell through, how many others did, too?
Kobel’s attack shows the significant cracks in Uber’s policies and there needs to be accountability. “The company needs to make substantial changes on how it protects riders,” Kobel said in a statement, and he’s right.
Were You Injured in an Uber? Contact Justin Drazin For A Free Consultation
If you were injured in an Uber accident or assaulted by an Uber driver, Justin Drazin can help. As the founder of UberHurtMe.com, he has seen firsthand how hard Uber tries to deny liability. He is your advocate in the fight against this negligent rideshare company. Uber’s lax safety measures continue to harm the very passengers they claim are getting a “safer alternative” by utilizing their services.
Call Justin Drazin today at 732-333-8141 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
