Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer

With over 131 million monthly active users and an average of 23 million rides per day, many of us rely on Uber for safe commutes. Unfortunately, there have been many news reports of “predator drivers” who have sexually assaulted vulnerable passengers. While the company has implemented certain safety features like in-app emergency assistance, sexual violence continues to persist, calling into question Uber’s policies and attitude toward passenger safety.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted in an Uber, it’s important to seek help. At StrongerThan.org, we aim to provide a comprehensive resource to sexual assault survivors looking for guidance.

What is a Rideshare Vehicle?

A rideshare vehicle is one that a rider hails from an app or a website instead of the street. A rideshare company, like Uber or Lyft, employs drivers who agree to transport people from one location to another using their vehicle. The rideshare company matches people who need rides with available drivers in their area through a website or an app on a smartphone. The driver gets a percentage of the cost of the ride, and sometimes, the entire tip. Rideshare companies are popular globally, with the exception of a handful of countries.

With such a large market, it is imperative that rideshare corporations undertake accountability for the actions of their employees. While Uber has argued that it is simply a technology app and not a transportation business, there has been a huge push toward implementing laws to force Uber to classify its drivers as employees as opposed to independent contractors. This difference in employment status means that Uber can be held responsible for the wrongful actions of its drivers during their course of employment.

What is an Uber Sexual Assault?

Do you suspect you were sexually assaulted? If you leave an Uber vehicle feeling violated or uncomfortable, you might have been sexually assaulted. An Uber sexual assault also includes a driver contacting a passenger without permission after the conclusion of the ride.

Examples of rideshare sexual assault include any nonconsensual acts of a sexual nature, such as:

• Inappropriate touching or groping
• Physical sexual assault
• Inappropriate comments
• Unsolicited contact after the ride is completed
• Stalking

Uber Sexual Assault Statistics

It is reported that Uber is aware of sexual assault among its drivers and in some cases, has not been forthcoming with bringing these drivers to justice. In 2020 alone, Uber reported 998 incidents of sexual assault and 141 rape cases, despite the decline in rideshare usage due to the pandemic. Earlier, in 2018, more than 3,000 passengers had reported sexual assaults, prompting lawmakers to call on rideshare companies to strengthen their security measures and take steps to prevent these events from happening.

Despite the tightened protective measures, Uber sexual assaults continue to happen. At the end of 2023, thousands of assault cases from across the country were consolidated into a federal court case against Uber in the Northern District of California, where Uber is headquartered. The lawsuit has prompted some survivors of rideshare sexual assault to take to social media to share their stories, in hopes of prompting Uber and other similar entities to take further action to make their rideshare options safer.

Uber Sexual Assault Cases

While Uber began its operations in 2009, by 2017 it was clear that instances of sexual assault among Uber drivers were happening with a disturbing frequency. When taken to task, Uber has historically evaded responsibility. It is known for not providing enough or accurate documents that show the entire scope of sexual assaults reported to its headquarters. Additionally, it is reported that Uber did not conduct thorough background checks of drivers in its earlier era.

In more recent years, and with more and more occurrences of sexual assault, Uber has taken some steps to make its rideshare program safer, such as a 9-1-1 button ability to share user location with trusted contacts. However, these measures have failed to halt the occurrences of sexual assaults in Uber rideshare vehicles. Some recent Uber sexual assault cases occurred:

• In 2024, an Alabama woman filed a case against a driver who she claimed forced her to give him oral sex at the conclusion of her trip.
• In September 2023, a Houston woman claimed her driver touched her breast while she became ill in the vehicle.
• In April 2023, an Irvine, CA woman was allegedly raped in her Uber while commuting from Corona del Mar to her dormitory.
• In 2020, a Maryland woman and her daughters alleged that an Uber driver they had requested a ride from exposed himself to them when he arrived to pick them up.

What To Do After an Uber Sexual Assault

If you are were sexually assaulted in an Uber vehicle, there are certain actions you should take:

• Call 911 in case of an emergency: If you believe your health and safety are in danger, you must call 911. The Uber rideshare app now features a 911 button which will enable your phone to immediately call the emergency line.
• Take pictures and collect relevant information, if possible: It may not be possible in all situations, but if you are able to get the driver’s name, cab license information (which should be posted visibly within the car), and the license plate number, do so. If not, try to memorize as much information about the driver and the car as possible.
• Go to a safe place: Go to a safe place or contact a friend or family member to come and take you to a safe place so you can regroup.
• Go to a hospital and ask for a rape kit: Resist the urge to shower or change your clothes. Head to a hospital immediately and ask for a rape kit. This is one of the best ways to prove a predator’s crime if you ever decide to take legal action.
• File a sexual assault report with Uber: According to Uber’s webpage, if you are sexually assaulted you can contact them immediately to report your assault.
• Inform the police about the sexual assault: It’s important to file a police report about your assault, even if you do not want to pursue a case. This documentation is beneficial no matter what kind of case you file, if you do indeed file one.
• Speak to a trauma therapist: Your experience was traumatic, and it will take time to heal from it. Speaking to a qualified professional who has experience helping survivors of sexual assault is a good step towards healing from the assault and reclaiming your life.
• Contact an Uber sexual assault attorney: Whether you want to file a case or not, contacting a sexual assault attorney is a good idea to understand your rights, options, and potential compensation.

Rideshare Sexual Assault: File a Sexual Assault Report

Once you have attended to your medical needs, you might want to file a sexual assault report with Uber. Here’s how you can report the crime:

• Open the app and tap “Help.”
• Select “Help with a trip.”
• Select the trip during which you were assaulted.
• Select “Report safety issue” under the “trip details” page.
• Tap “Report a safety incident involving a driver” and summarize the incident.

Alternatively, you may select “call support” at the bottom of the Help page in the Uber app to speak with a representative.

After you have reported the assault to Uber, you should file a report with a law enforcement officer.

How Long Do You Have to Report Sexual Assault?

The statute of limitations for sexual assault in most states is between 3-10 years. However, some states have no statute of limitations on certain sexual assault crimes. Even when you do file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit on time, you could still face delays due to reasons such as Uber’s request to remove cases to other courts or the sheer volume of lawsuits against the company.

How Can an Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer Help Me?

If you decide to take legal action against Uber in the form of a civil sexual assault lawsuit, here’s how a plaintiff-side attorney can help:

• Provide compassionate and confidential legal advice
• Collect evidence and subpoena necessary documents to support your claim
• Negotiate with Uber to help you get a fair settlement
• File a lawsuit, if necessary, against Uber and the perpetrator, and represent you in all court proceedings

Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit: Types of Compensation Awarded

The settlements from Uber sexual assault cases vary in numbers, depending on a myriad of factors, like the severity of the assault, the overall impact on the survivor, medical costs, lost wages, and more. In some states, punitive damages can be collected against the perpetrator for gross negligence.

Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer: FAQs

1. How to Prevent Uber Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, economic status, etc. However, riders can take certain safety precautions – avoid taking an Uber alone late at night, take a screenshot of the driver’s information in the app, initiate a phone call during the ride, and report any suspicious activity immediately.

2. What is Aggravated Sexual Assault?

Aggravated sexual assault is definited differently in each state, but it generally refers to causing serious physical harm to the victim while sexually assaulting them, with the help of a weapon and/or threats before, during, and/or after sexual assault.

3. Can I Report Sexual Assault Years Later?

Since the statute of limitations differs from state to state, it is a good idea to talk to a sexual assault attorney to understand whether you may be able to report your case after many years have passed.

4. What Type of Sexual Assault Claims Can You Sue Uber For?

You may have a case against Uber if you experienced inappropriate sexual contact, forced sexual activity, indecent exposure, threat of sexual assault, or any other nonconsensual sexual activity.

5. How Much Can I Sue for Sexual Assault and Battery?

Since every settlement is different, it is best to speak to a sexual assault attorney to determine the compensation amount you can sue for.

6. Can You File a Lawsuit Anonymously?

Yes, survivors of sexual assault may file “Jane Doe” lawsuits to protect their anonymity.

7. What is the Uber Sexual Assault Multidistrict Litigation? How is it Different From a Class Action Lawsuit?

The Uber Sexual Assault MDL is meant to consolidate numerous individual sexual assault cases against Uber from multiple states into a single court. This is done to streamline the pretrial process and ensure a consistent ruling. Unlike a class action lawsuit, where all plaintiffs receive equal compensation, an MDL allows each plaintiff to receive an individualized settlement based on their specific claim and damages.

Assaulted By an Uber Driver? Contact an Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer For Help

Healing from the trauma of sexual assault is not a straightforward process. At StrongerThan.org, we do our best to ensure that your voice is heard and you do not feel alone in your fight for justice. We are a team of dedicated individuals who would be honored to assist you in all facets of your recovery, including helping you with your legal claims. Sexual assault is a reprehensible crime, and we are here to help bring those responsible to justice.