“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” Blanding said later, adding that the encounter left her humiliated. Her Instagram post went viral, sparking debate. Many defended the driver, suggesting she should have requested a larger vehicle like Lyft XL. Others argued he had the right to refuse service if he felt unsafe. Blanding alleges the driver, who arrived in a Mercedes sedan, locked his doors and suggested her weight might even damage his tires.

Her attorneys claim the refusal violated Michigan’s civil rights law, which protects against weight-based discrimination. “Denying someone transportation because of their weight is illegal,” attorney Jonathan Marko said, comparing it to racial or religious discrimination.