Our Lawyers help sexual assault survivors pursue claims against rideshare giants Uber and Lyft.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft make getting around more convenient than ever before. They promote their services as safe, showing advertising of women riding alone in their vehicles. They have changed the way we get around, and made taxis virtually extinct. While the public has embraced Uber and Lyft, they likely are unaware of the risks associated with using these rideshare companies.
Sexual Assault in Uber and Lyft
After reports of sexual assault and rideshare companies started to become more mainstream in the media, Uber and Lyft started issuing “safety reports,” which shared with the public some of the data they had collected over the years. Perhaps the most shocking figure is that Uber received nearly 10,000 reports of sexual assaults from users of its platform between 2017 and 2020 (1). Lyft’s safety report from 2017-2019 fared no better, with over 4,000 assaults reported, a rate similar to Uber’s when taking into account their smaller market share (2). These numbers are startlingly high and demonstrate that using a rideshare service is not necessarily the “safe ride” it is promised to be. Indeed, court filings allege that these publicly reported sexual assaults are just the tip of the iceberg.
Litigation involving Uber and Lyft
Given these large numbers of assaults, it is not surprising that many survivors have decided to bring lawsuits against Uber and Lyft, and there is ongoing litigation in both state and federal court.
Our attorneys are on the frontline litigating not only individual claims on behalf of our clients, but we (Anapol Weiss shareholder Alex Walsh) were selected by the MDL Judge to serve on the Plaintiffs leadership committee which is charged with proving these companies should be held accountable for the assaults perpetrated by their drivers.
In federal court in California, there is a large multidistrict litigation (“MDL”) for passengers alleging sexual assault by their Uber drivers. Alexandra Walsh serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee of MDL and as Co-Chair of the Trial Committee. Anapol Weiss partners Holly Dolejsi and William Smith are also actively involved in the Uber MDL, working on the trial, expert, and discovery committees.
There are also two coordinated state court litigations in California (JCCPs), one for Uber passengers and one for Lyft passengers. Our firm has filed cases in both the federal MDL and also state court.
Legal Claims Against Uber and Lyft
The goal of the MDL is to hold Uber accountable for the sexual assaults committed by its drivers. The Master Complaint (3) alleges that Uber had a duty to prevent these sorts of attacks, given how foreseeable it was that a sexual assault could occur with a woman riding alone at night in a car with a stranger. That duty meant they needed to vet their drivers, investigate reports of sexual assault, and take appropriate action when sexual assaults were reported. The Master Complaint alleges that Uber failed to take appropriate action to protect its riders, instead choosing to protect its own reputation and revenue. The claims against Uber and Lyft in the state court coordinated actions are similar, and involve the company’s failure to protect its riders.
Contact an Experienced Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer at Anapol Weiss for a Free Consultation
At Anapol Weiss, we are committed to helping survivors of sexual assault seek justice through the civil legal system. In order to ensure our clients have the best possible results, we ensure the following for each of our clients:
- Expertise in Rideshare Assault Cases: Our attorneys have extensive experience in navigating the complexities of sexual assault claims involving rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.
- Personalized Approach: We work closely with each client to understand their unique situation and provide appropriate legal strategies.
- Commitment to Justice: We fight tirelessly to hold perpetrators accountable and seek appropriate compensation for our clients.
- Confidential and Supportive Environment: Your privacy and well-being are our top priorities. We offer a safe space to discuss your case with confidence.
If you are a victim of sexual assault by an Uber driver, please feel comfortable to reach out to us. You can get answers from the attorneys at Anapol Weiss. Call our law firm for a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation when you contact us. We will explain your legal rights and the next steps toward holding Uber or Lyft responsible.
(1) https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/business/uber-safety-report.html
(3) https://hastingsgroupmedia.com/UberMDL/MasterComplaint.pdf