Catching a ride anywhere has never been easier. With a few touches within an app, riders can have a car ready to take them wherever they need to go, anytime, day or night. Ridesharing is easier and less expensive than taking a taxi. But is it safer?
Drivers for Uber and Lyft are given the opportunity to earn money driving — but these companies don’t always vet their drivers as a taxi company would. The law is still evolving whether rideshare drivers are employees or independent contractors. As an employee, the rideshare company can be held responsible for the driver’s actions, but as an independent contractor, they may not be legally liable for what happens to the passengers.
Unfortunately, complaints of sexual assault by rideshare drivers on passengers are not unusual. Many victims are left with severe injuries, emotional trauma, and other losses after such an event.
Women are the primary victims of Uber sexual assaults and Lyft sexual assaults — the irony being that many women use rideshare services so that they can get home safely, whether they drive or not. The expansion of the gig economy has led to people — including some Uber and Lyft drivers — working jobs that they shouldn’t. While most of these rideshare assault cases are attacks on passengers, occasionally even drivers can be assaulted by passengers or other third parties.
Should you get assaulted in an Uber or Lyft rideshare, should you attempt to file a lawsuit, or let law enforcement handle everything? Fortunately, you can do both. Read on to learn how, get answers to common questions about these cases, and what action you should take.
How Many People Have Been Sexually Assaulted In an Uber or Lyft?
Despite safety and sexual harassment policies and training, there have been thousands of incidents involving sexual assaults on rideshare passengers. But not everyone reports a sexual assault by Uber drivers or Lyft drivers —so the actual numbers are likely higher than the reported numbers.
- In its 2022 report, Uber reported a total of 2,717 reported sexual assaults, a decrease from 2017-2018 in which 5,981 assaults were reported.
- Lyft has also seen its share of sexual assault. In Lyft’s own 2022 report, there were 2,651 incidents of sexual assault, primarily by drivers.
Both Lyft and Uber are facing thousands of lawsuits from people who experienced rideshare assault. Plaintiffs frequently allege the lack of safety and background checks are what led to both sexual assault and other offenses. These incidents have led to both companies increasing safety measures for passengers, including improved background checks for drivers, in-app emergency notification, and trip sharing in real-time.
Does Uber Provide Sexual Harassment Training To Their Drivers?
Yes, —in fact, it is mandatory for any driver who wants to work for the company. Developed in conjunction with anti-sexual assault nonprofit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), Uber implemented this training in 2020. These six required training videos focus on appropriate and inappropriate behavior, respect for passengers and personal space, boundaries for conversation, and other relevant topics.
Lyft also implemented mandatory sexual harassment training in 2019. Drivers must complete their training before accessing Driver Mode on the Lyft app to begin driving. The company also has a written policy against sexual harassment. Unfortunately, neither Uber nor Lyft has taken the reports as seriously as they should. This has led to legal action, primarily as rideshare assault lawsuits against both Uber and Lyft.
While the companies should be lauded for developing sexual harassment training, that alone has not kept sexual assaults from occurring.
What To Do If You Are Assaulted In A Rideshare
If you believe you are in danger in a rideshare, call 911 immediately.
If you are the victim of a sexual assault by a rideshare driver, then get to a safe space, document what happened, notify the police, and get medical attention. Consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent your interest as soon as possible. If you decide to wait, then you should also notify the rideshare company immediately.
Similar to their channels for reporting rideshare collisions, Both Uber and Lyft have dedicated channels for victims to report an incident, which can lead to the driver’s removal from the company’s platform. Law enforcement handles any criminal charges separately from civil cases like an insurance claim or civil lawsuit. Both Uber and Lyft also have support available 24/7 via their apps for victims of rideshare sexual assault. Riders and drivers also have support available.
It’s important for victims to document the assault for later legal intervention. Medical attention and subsequent treatment create a record of the sexual assault and subsequent injuries. Document all the details of the incident as best you can, including:
- The date and time of the ride and assault.
- The location of the incident.
- The rideshare company.
- All details about the assailant you can remember.
- The make/model/color of the driver’s car as well as the license plate number if possible
- Any other details about the ride or incident that you recall or were unusual.
After seeing a doctor, filing a report with law enforcement, and documenting other details, your next step is to consult with an Uber sexual assault lawyer or a Lyft sexual assault lawyer to discuss your case and consider what best steps look like moving forward.
Can You Sue An Uber Driver?
Local authorities can pursue criminal charges against the person, but you would need to decide whether to pursue a civil claim for monetary damages. The driver may have private automobile insurance coverage, but the insurance carrier may deny coverage based on exclusions listed in the policy.
You may pursue a claim against the rideshare company but you are strongly encouraged to hire an experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer to represent your interest.
Filing a Lyft or Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit With Apolinsky & Associates, LLC
If you experienced a rideshare sexual assault, you do have legal rights; victims can file a claim against Uber or Lyft and receive compensation. Following an Uber or Lyft sexual assault, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium/enjoyment of life
A rideshare sexual assault attorney can advise you of your rights and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
At Apolinsky & Associates, LLC, Trial Lawyers, we assist clients with a wide variety of personal injury matters — including rideshare lawsuits. Contact us or fill out our free case evaluation form to learn how we can help you relieve compensation. There is no charge for an initial consultation.
