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MDL Sought for Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits

Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, have revolutionized transportation in the modern era, offering a convenient and accessible alternative to traditional taxis or public transit. With just a few taps on a smartphone, passengers can hail a ride from nearby drivers registered on the platform, making commuting easier than ever before. However, recently, an alarming surge in Uber sexual assault lawsuits has put into question the safety of rideshare services. These lawsuits allege that Uber’s failure to implement adequate safety measures and background checks has resulted in a disturbing number of incidents where passengers have been sexually assaulted or harassed by drivers. Now, a group of plaintiffs has requested the creation of an MDL for Uber sexual assault lawsuits.  

Recurring Allegations of Sexual Assault Incidents and Safety Shortcomings 

The complaints filed by the plaintiffs paint a distressing picture of recurring incidents of sexual assault involving Uber drivers. Multiple victims have come forward, sharing harrowing experiences of assault while using the rideshare service. These allegations claim that Uber has failed to properly vet its drivers or implement features to protect its passengers once it became apparent that sexual predators were within its workforce. 

These cases brought forth by rape and sexual assault survivors allege Uber was aware of the problem but neglected to:  

• Conduct appropriate background checks 
• Train and supervise its drivers 
• Respond to complaints about predator drivers 
• Adopt safety design changes in the Uber App 
• Adopt standard safety measures such as video and audio surveillance

One of the main points of contention revolves around Uber’s implementation of “Safe Ride Fees.” Introduced in 2014, Uber promised to funnel these fees into background checks for drivers in addition to other safety enhancements. However, Uber did not use this money to introduce new safety measures, but instead for profit. According to lawsuits, Uber’s actions left passengers at risk of encountering dangerous drivers.  

Moreover, plaintiffs raise concerns about the lack of options for passengers to request drivers of a specific gender. Uber may have contributed to situations where vulnerable passengers felt uncomfortable or unsafe during their rides by failing to implement this choice.  

Now individuals have motioned to form an MDL for Uber sexual assault lawsuits as more cases continue to shed light on the company’s alleged failure to prioritize passenger safety. 

Plaintiffs File to Launch MDL for Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits 

In response to the growing number of Uber sexual assault lawsuits scattered across different judicial districts, a group of plaintiffs filed a motion to transfer all cases to the Northern District of California for consolidation. There are currently 22 Uber sexual assault lawsuits pending in 11 districts nationwide that involve similar claims against the rideshare company. A multidistrict litigation streamlines the legal process and promotes efficiency by handling all proceedings before a single federal judge. According to the motion, an MDL for Uber sexual assault lawsuits would offer several advantages to facilitate fairness across cases.  

The plaintiffs filed the motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on July 14, 2023. This panel will decide whether their arguments in favor of an MDL for Uber sexual assault lawsuits are compelling enough to grant their request.  

The Lake Law Firm Can Support You in an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit 

In 2022, Uber released a distressing safety report revealing 3,824 sexual assaults during Uber trips in 2019 and 2020. At The Lake Law Firm, we believe that every passenger should feel secure while using rideshare services. To any potential victims who have experienced sexual assault or harassment during an Uber ride, we will stand by you. Contact us today at (888) 525-3529 to see if you qualify for an Uber sexual assault lawsuit.