Every year, thousands of people use rideshare apps to get home safely, but for some, the ride turns into a nightmare. According to a 2022 safety report, over 3,000 sexual assault cases were linked to rideshare trips between 2019-2020.
If a rideshare driver assaulted you, the law may hold more than just the driver accountable. Companies like Uber and Lyft claim to prioritize safety, yet their lapses often leave passengers exposed to harm.
Call LitigationConnect, LLC at (833) 552-7274 or contact us online to connect with attorneys who know how to handle cases like yours. Confidential consultations are available now. Let’s get you the justice you deserve.
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What Are Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuits?
A rideshare sexual assault lawsuit specifically targets incidents of unwanted sexual conduct committed by drivers during or immediately after a ride. This can include groping, sexual harassment, attempted assault, and rape. Survivors of these attacks don’t just face emotional and physical trauma—they also endure the frustration of dealing with companies that try to minimize responsibility.
Rideshare companies operate under a “platform” model, claiming they connect riders with independent contractors, not employees. This distinction conveniently shifts liability away from the company. Yet, survivors argue that the companies’ failure to enact stricter safety measures makes them complicit.
Related article: Sexual Abuse Lawyer
The Legal Landscape: Rideshare Companies and Accountability
By classifying drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft dodge many responsibilities that come with traditional employment relationships.
Corporate Liability for Driver Misconduct
The concept of corporate liability comes down to one question: Did the company take reasonable steps to prevent harm? Negligence claims against rideshare companies argue that they continue to fail in key areas:
- Driver Screening and Background Checks:
Rideshare companies rely on third-party vendors to screen drivers. These checks vary by state and are far from foolproof. For example, California Penal Code § 291 outlines mandatory registration for sex offenders, but critics argue that rideshare companies don’t adequately cross-check these databases. In one high-profile case, a driver with a history of assault passed Uber’s background screening and later attacked a passenger. - Failure to Act on Complaints:
Negligence lawsuits frequently highlight how companies ignore red flags. Internal policies favor rapid resolution over thorough investigation, leaving dangerous drivers on the platform. In some cases, passengers report misconduct, only to find the driver remains active.
Lawsuits That Shaped the Landscape
Over the past decade, high-profile cases have exposed the gaps in rideshare companies’ accountability. In 2021, a class-action lawsuit against Lyft alleged that the company received over 4,000 sexual assault complaints between 2017 and 2019 but failed to address systemic issues. The lawsuit demanded policy reforms, including enhanced driver monitoring and stricter hiring practices.
Similarly, Uber settled a California lawsuit for $10 million after allegations that its background check process allowed drivers with criminal records to operate.
Challenges in These Cases
Rideshare companies rely heavily on the “independent contractor” defense, claiming that drivers are their own bosses, not employees. This classification makes it harder to hold the companies liable under traditional employment laws, like respondeat superior—a legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for their employees’ actions.
But cracks in this defense are forming. In California, Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) redefined how businesses classify workers, requiring companies to prove that contractors operate independently of their core business. Lawsuits argue that driving passengers is the core business of rideshare companies, making drivers more like employees.
Courts have also looked at broader negligence claims, focusing on the companies’ failure to create and enforce adequate safety measures. Survivors’ legal teams argue that these lapses directly contribute to the environment that allows assaults to occur.
How Insurance Policies Play Out in Rideshare Assault Cases
Rideshare companies carry commercial liability insurance, which is supposed to cover passengers for anything that happens during a ride. This coverage kicks in from the moment a driver accepts a ride until you step out of the car. Great in theory. But in practice? If the issue involves sexual assault, insurance companies are suddenly way less enthusiastic about paying up.
Here’s why: most personal auto insurance policies don’t cover anything that happens while a driver is using their car for commercial purposes. That means the driver’s insurance is usually useless. This shifts the responsibility to the rideshare company’s insurance. But even then, insurance companies are quick to whip out something called an intentional acts exclusion.
This exclusion essentially says, “If someone meant to hurt you, we’re not paying for it.” And sexual assault is the textbook definition of an intentional act. Survivors are then left with the impossible task of proving that the rideshare company—not just the driver—shares the blame for what happened.
The Intentional Acts Exclusion: A Convenient Escape Hatch
Insurance companies love the intentional acts exclusion because it gives them an easy way to avoid responsibility. They argue that the assault was the driver’s personal decision and has nothing to do with the rideshare company. But survivors and their attorneys don’t let that slide.
The legal strategy here is to shift the focus. Instead of debating whether the driver intended harm (spoiler: they did), attorneys zero in on the rideshare company’s negligence. Did the company fail to conduct a proper background check? Were there previous complaints about the driver that the company ignored? Did their safety protocols amount to little more than PR fluff?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, survivors have a shot at holding the company accountable. The argument is simple: the company created the conditions that allowed the assault to happen.
Getting Compensation Isn’t Easy
If you think filing an insurance claim is like filling out a form and waiting for a check, think again. Survivors need airtight evidence to get anywhere. That means:
- Documenting Everything: Ride receipts, text messages with the driver, police reports—anything that ties the assault to the rideshare trip.
- Proving Negligence: Survivors must show that the rideshare company’s actions (or inactions) directly contributed to the assault. Weak background checks, ignoring complaints, or failing to monitor drivers are common points of attack.
- Taking It to Court: If the insurance company refuses to pay, survivors often have to sue. This means hiring an attorney, presenting evidence, and pushing back against corporate legal teams determined to minimize payouts.
The Role of Lawyers: Fighting Insurance Shenanigans
Here’s where attorneys come in. We know how to dissect insurance policies and find the weak spots. We know how to argue that an intentional act exclusion doesn’t apply when corporate negligence is involved. And we know how to force insurance companies to take claims seriously.
What Survivors Need to Know About Filing a Lawsuit
Eligibility for a Lawsuit
Not every case leads to a successful lawsuit, but many survivors qualify without realizing it. The core of eligibility lies in whether the assault occurred during or as a direct result of the rideshare service. Was the driver operating under the rideshare company’s app at the time? Was the ride completed, or was the assault tied to the driver’s capacity as a service provider? These questions help attorneys establish liability.
Possible Defendants
The complexity of these cases stems from the multiple parties involved. Survivors typically file claims against:
- The Driver: The individual who committed the assault holds primary responsibility. However, pursuing a driver alone often leads to limited financial recovery since most drivers lack significant assets.
- The Rideshare Company: Survivors may also sue the company for negligence in hiring, supervision, or policy enforcement. The deeper pockets of corporations like Uber or Lyft provide better avenues for compensation.
- Third-Party Vendors: In cases where background check firms failed to flag criminal histories, survivors may name these entities in the lawsuit.
Compensation You Could Seek
The legal system breaks compensation into three categories, each addressing different aspects of harm:
- Economic Damages: These cover tangible, measurable losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care and ongoing therapy.
- Lost wages from missed work due to trauma or physical injuries.
- Transportation costs incurred while avoiding rideshare services post-assault.
- Non-Economic Damages: These address the psychological toll survivors endure, such as:
- Emotional pain, anxiety, and PTSD.
- Loss of quality of life, including fear of traveling alone.
- Punitive Damages: Courts award punitive damages to punish the defendant for extreme negligence or recklessness. For rideshare companies, this means financial penalties for ignoring safety flaws or failing to protect passengers despite prior warnings.
Statute of Limitations
Timing matters. Survivors face strict deadlines for filing a claim, known as the statute of limitations. In California, Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 sets a two-year window for personal injury cases, including sexual assault. Missing this deadline typically results in the court dismissing the case, no matter how strong the evidence is.
However, exceptions exist. Survivors who were minors at the time of the assault may benefit from extended filing periods under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1, which allows claims until the victim’s 40th birthday in some instances.
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Sexual Assault
Report the Assault
Telling the authorities and the rideshare company about the assault starts the process of holding perpetrators accountable. File a police report with as much detail as possible. Mention the driver’s name, vehicle description, and any other identifiers available through the rideshare app. While recounting the incident may feel retraumatizing, accurate and detailed reports strengthen legal claims.
After contacting law enforcement, report the incident to the rideshare company. Both Uber and Lyft offer in-app features for reporting assaults, but survivors frequently criticize these systems as slow or impersonal. Submitting a formal complaint ensures the company has a record of the incident, which will later support legal arguments about their negligence.
Preserve Evidence for Your Case
Evidence wins lawsuits. Survivors should gather and protect everything connected to the assault. Some key pieces of evidence include:
- Rideshare Records: Save receipts, ride details, and screenshots of trip information from the app. These records establish that the ride occurred and link the driver to the event.
- Correspondence with the Driver or Rideshare Company: Any texts, calls, or messages exchanged with the driver or company matter. These may reveal concerning behavior or the company’s inadequate response.
- Witness Statements: If bystanders observed the assault or events leading up to it, their testimony strengthens your case.
- Medical and Police Reports: Documentation from professionals provides objective proof of harm and corroborates your account.
Contact Litigation Connect LLC
Rideshare sexual assault cases combine elements of personal injury law, corporate negligence, and criminal conduct. Our attorneys evaluate the evidence, determine liability, and file the lawsuit within the required timeframe while you focus on recovery.
Notable Settlements in Rideshare Assault Cases
In 2022, Lyft agreed to pay $25 million to settle multiple lawsuits involving sexual assault claims. Plaintiffs accused the company of failing to conduct thorough background checks and ignoring warnings about problematic drivers.
Uber faced similar challenges in California, where the company settled for $10 million after allegations of negligence in driver vetting. Survivors in these cases argued that Uber’s failure to prioritize safety led directly to their assaults.
These settlements not only compensated survivors but also forced companies to update their policies. Both Lyft and Uber introduced new safety measures, including continuous background checks and enhanced GPS tracking. Critics, however, argue these changes fall short of addressing the systemic issues highlighted in lawsuits.
Can I File a Lawsuit Anonymously?
The legal system allows survivors to protect their identities in many states. In California, survivors of sexual assault frequently file lawsuits under pseudonyms like “Jane Doe” or “John Doe” to shield their names from public records. This anonymity minimizes further emotional harm and helps survivors feel safer when pursuing justice.
Anonymity requires court approval, and judges balance the survivor’s need for privacy against the public’s right to access court records. Most courts lean toward protecting survivors, especially in sensitive cases involving sexual assault.
Get the Justice You Deserve
Rideshare companies make billions by promising safe, reliable rides. When they fail to deliver, they owe more than an apology—they owe accountability. If a rideshare driver assaulted you, don’t let corporate negligence go unchecked.
Call LitigationConnect, LLC at (833) 552-7274 or contact us online. We’ll connect you with experienced attorneys who fight for survivors like you. Your voice matters, and justice starts here.