Dedicated Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyers
Ordering a ride with Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare companies for a night out or your everyday travels should be a secure and hassle-free experience.
Although the majority of rideshare drivers are reliable and safe, it’s crucial to acknowledge there are also individuals working for these companies who may take advantage of the trust placed in them as drivers to harm their passengers.
Unfortunately, incidents of sexual assault of passengers by rideshare drivers continue to be a prevalent and concerning problem.
Uber’s 2019 U.S. Safety Report disclosed nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assaults that took place during the years 2017 and 2018, with hundreds of those cases involving rape. It’s worth noting that these reports encompassed incidents reported by both drivers and passengers.
Lyft subsequently released its own Community Safety Report on October 21, 2021, which outlined a total of 4,158 reports of sexual assault incidents spanning the years 2017 to 2019, with several hundred cases involving rape.
These reports are categorized into five distinct types of assault:
- Unwanted non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual part of the body.
- Attempted rape.
- Inappropriate touching of a sexual part of the body without consent.
- Unwanted non-consensual kissing of a sexual part of the body.
- Rape.
While these figures are indeed alarming, there are likely many more instances of sexual assault that have gone unreported.
As per statistics from the Department of Justice, over 66% of sexual assaults go unreported, underscoring the depth of this problem.
Seeking Justice Against Rideshare Companies
Passengers who have been sexually abused or assaulted while using Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare services may have grounds to sue these companies for the horrific abuse they endured.
Many survivors of sexual assault by rideshare drivers have come forward in recent years with their stories and are seeking accountability against these companies through lawsuits.
The claims of these cases largely center around these rideshare companies’ obligation to properly vet their drivers to ensure the safety of their passengers. Companies like Lyft and Uber are legally obligated to conduct thorough background checks on their drivers, for example.
These lawsuits allege the background checks carried out by both companies are insufficient and that they lack adequate safety measures to safeguard the well-being of their users.
In October 2023, a federal panel consolidated many of these cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California.
This consolidation is a significant In October 2023, a federal panel consolidated many of these cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California.
This consolidation is a significant step forward for plaintiffs and will help ensure these cases move efficiently through our civil justice system alongside the individual cases continuing across the country.
How We Can Support Survivors
At BMBF, we understand the devastating impact that sexual abuse and misconduct can have on survivors. For decades, our attorneys have worked with and represented survivors in their fight for truth, justice, and accountability.
We recognize that sexual abuse cases can be complex and emotional. That’s why our experienced attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized attention to each client, helping them navigate the legal process with empathy and care.
Our team has a deep understanding of the legal issues involved in sexual abuse cases and has successfully represented many survivors of sexual abuse. We know how to hold those responsible accountable and will aggressively fight for your rights.
In 2009, Chase Brockstedt and Phil Federico served as counsel for sexual abuse victims of Delaware pediatrician Earl Bradley and obtained a $123 million settlement.
Our attorneys also led the fight for survivors against Johns Hopkins gynecologist Dr. Nikita Levy, who had been surreptitiously photographing and/or videoing patients in compromising situations.
BMBF attorneys worked to hold the major organization these survivors trusted accountable for their failures to protect them, earning a $190 million settlement and protecting these survivors by ensuring that this sexually abusive content would never be made public.
If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse by a rideshare driver, our team is prepared to help you hold your abuser and all responsible parties fully accountable.
Our team of compassionate attorneys is committed to helping survivors obtain the compensation they deserve so they can move forward.
