Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer

Sexually assaulted or harassed by an Uber or Lyft driver? You are not alone, and it was not your fault. You may have a claim against the rideshare company. Talk with us confidentially.

On this page: Legal claims · Arbitration · Deadlines · Your privacy · Information to keep · Fees · FAQ

Rideshare companies market their services as a safe ride home. But Uber and Lyft have each reported thousands of sexual assault incidents connected to their platforms in their own safety reports, and survivors across the country have brought claims alleging that the companies failed to take reasonable steps to protect riders. If you were sexually assaulted, harassed or attacked by an Uber or Lyft driver, you may have a claim against the rideshare company as well as the driver. Smith Trial Group represents survivors confidentially, with care and discretion.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) is available at 800-656-4673 for confidential support.

Legal Claims Against Rideshare Companies

Claims against rideshare companies commonly allege that they:

• Failed to adequately screen drivers, or allowed drivers with complaints or red flags to keep driving.
• Failed to adopt available safety measures, such as in-car cameras, better identity verification and stronger monitoring of trips that go off route.
• Failed to respond appropriately to prior complaints about a driver.
• Misrepresented how safe their services are.

Claims against Uber and Lyft are being litigated in coordinated proceedings in California state court and in federal court. Whether your case fits within those proceedings, and how it should be filed, depends on the facts. We evaluate each case individually and represent clients directly.

Arbitration Does Not Have to Block Your Case

Rideshare companies’ terms of service contain arbitration clauses. But under the federal Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2022, a survivor of sexual assault or sexual harassment can generally choose to bring the case in court rather than in private arbitration, even if they agreed to an arbitration clause.

Deadlines Are Longer Than for Most Injury Claims

California gives adult survivors of sexual assault more time than most injury claims. Under Code of Civil Procedure 340.16, a civil claim for sexual assault generally may be filed within ten years of the last act of assault, or within three years after the survivor discovers or reasonably should have discovered an injury resulting from the assault, whichever is later. Claims against the company may involve additional deadline questions, so it is best to get advice promptly.

Your Privacy

• Your consultation is completely confidential.
• Survivors can often file civil cases under a pseudonym such as “Jane Doe” to protect their identity.
• You decide whether to report to the police. A civil claim does not require a criminal conviction or even a police report, although records can help.

Helpful Information to Keep

• The trip receipt and screenshots from the app showing the driver, vehicle, route and time.
• Any messages with the driver or with the company’s support team.
• Records of any report to the company or the police.
• Medical records, including any sexual assault examination, and records of counseling.
• Names of people you told about the assault afterward.

Do not worry if you do not have all of these. Many survivors do not, and we can help gather records.

Compensation

Survivors can recover damages for emotional distress and trauma, medical and counseling costs, lost income, and other harms. In some cases punitive damages may be available against a defendant whose conduct was malicious or showed conscious disregard for safety.

Fees

We handle rideshare sexual assault cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation. See also Uber and Lyft accidents and negligent security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue Uber or Lyft if a driver sexually assaulted me?

Possibly. Survivors have brought claims alleging that rideshare companies failed to screen drivers, adopt safety measures or respond to prior complaints. Whether you have a claim depends on the facts.

Do I have to go to arbitration?

Generally not. Under the federal Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, survivors of sexual assault can generally choose to bring their case in court instead of arbitration.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Under California law, an adult survivor generally has ten years from the last act of assault, or three years from discovering a resulting injury, whichever is later. Get advice promptly because claims against companies can raise additional deadline questions.

Will my name be public?

Survivors can often file under a pseudonym such as Jane Doe. Your consultation is confidential.

Do I need to have reported the assault to the police?

No. A civil claim does not require a police report or criminal conviction, although reports and records can be helpful.

How much does it cost?

Nothing up front. We handle these cases on contingency.