Society has moved beyond the days of hailing a taxi in bustling streets. Rather than hope for an available taxi or fight with another patron over the ride, many people today opt for ridesharing companies. People can easily select a driver at their fingertips and pay the fare through the app. But, this movement to simplify urban transportation comes at a cost. Popular ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have had countless reports of sexual assault. Many individuals are filing lawsuits against these rideshare companies for failing to safeguard riders from sexual assault. Did you experience sexual assault while using a rideshare service? Reach out today to learn more about how an Uber/Lyft Rideshare sexual assault lawsuit can help you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits for individuals who were sexually assaulted while using rideshare services.
Ridesharing is very popular because of its ease and accessibility. Passengers need only a smartphone with a rideshare app and a credit card to enjoy the convenience of ridesharing. People can input their current and desired locations to match with a nearby driver. While there are other rideshare services, Uber and Lyft are the two largest rideshare companies. People can order a ride through Uber in over 10,000 cities around the world. Meanwhile, Lyft offers its services in roughly 655 cities in the United States.
When hiring contract drivers, Uber and Lyft fail to impose strict guidelines or conduct proper screening. Although many people can easily find work as rideshare drivers, this employment opportunity leaves riders vulnerable to occurrences like sexual assault. Uber and Lyft’s background checks have been accused of being too lenient. Their lack of rigorous background checks opens the door for questionable drivers with criminal backgrounds.
In 2019, Uber released its first report detailing its rideshare incidents. From 2017 to 2018, riders reported a staggering 5,981 instances of sexual assault. Its second report released in 2022 revealed 3,824 claims of sexual assault from 2019 to 2020. Fewer people used Uber during the pandemic, which may account for the slight decrease. Between 2017 and 2019, Uber’s counterpart Lyft recorded more than 4,000 reports of sexual assault. These numbers only reflect the incidents reported. The actual number of sexual assault cases is likely much higher.
Riders trust rideshare companies to create a safe environment. But, relaxed background checks and slow responses to change policy have endangered riders. Victims of sexual assault may experience physical and mental trauma. Sexual assault can negatively impact survivors for the duration of their lives. Survivors may have difficulty adjusting to life after the distressing ordeal of sexual assault, and the damage can affect their future relationships. People who experienced sexual assault may suffer:
Sexual assault can present lifelong mental and physical consequences for victims. We recognize that a lawsuit cannot undo what happened to you. However, an Uber/Lyft rideshare sexual assault lawsuit can hold companies accountable for failing to incorporate measures and protocols to prevent sexual assault during their rideshare services.
In 2019, Uber agreed to pay $9 million for neglecting to report data on sexual assault. Uber pledged to create a process where riders can make information on their sexual assault available to the CPUC.
In July 2022, more than 500 women filed sexual assault lawsuits against Uber. These Uber passengers allege that they were “kidnapped, sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, falsely imprisoned, stalked, harassed or otherwise attacked.” These lawsuits claim that Uber has not taken enough steps to protect riders from sexual assault. Claimants also allege that Uber failed to remove drivers previously accused of sexual assault by riders.
Eleven passengers and two drivers filed sexual assault lawsuits against Lyft in late August of 2022. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuits in San Francisco Superior Court, but the incidents occurred in several states. While these are individual lawsuits and not a class action undertaking, each lawsuit accuses Lyft of failing to protect them from sexual assault. Plaintiffs demand that Lyft implement better background checks for drivers and video dashcam recordings of all rides. Additionally, claimants have noted that Lyft has neglected to design an alert if drivers deviate from the correct route or never reach the destination, both of which could be a sign of sexual or physical assault.
A group of plaintiffs requested the creation of an Uber sexual assault multidistrict litigation in July 2023. There are 22 lawsuits underway in several courts across the country. If passed, MDL will make handling these lawsuits more fair and efficient.
If you were sexually assaulted while using rideshare services of companies like Uber or Lyft, you may qualify for an Uber/Lyft rideshare sexual assault lawsuit. A sexual assault lawsuit against Uber/Lyft rideshare may help you recover compensation for:
We understand that sexual assault survivors may feel shame or guilt. But, sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. Our lawyers want to support individuals who were sexually assaulted while using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. These companies need to implement better preventative measures to stop sexual assault. Uber and Lyft should foster passenger safety and increase efforts to shield passengers from sexual assault. Were you the victim of sexual assault due to a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft? Our trusted attorneys are on standby to speak with you about a potential Uber/Lyft rideshare sexual assault lawsuit. Filing a sexual assault lawsuit can be a stressful and challenging process, but we want you to know that you are not alone. If you decide to pursue legal action against rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft, our attorneys will ensure that your voice is heard.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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