Uber & Lyft Rideshare Sexual Assault

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have completely changed transportation in Chicago and across the world, making it easier than ever to get from point A to point B. Unfortunately, this convenience has come at a cost for many male and female passengers who have experienced sexual assault at the hands of Lyft or Uber drivers.

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted while using these platforms, our dedicated legal team is here to help. We stand up for survivors, working tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to discuss a potential Lyft or Uber sexual assault lawsuit with a rideshare sexual assault lawyer.

Uber/Lyft Rape & Sexual Assualt Victims in Chicago Deserve Justice

While these companies often attempt to shield themselves from liability due to the structure of their business models, survivors have the right to seek justice. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our skilled Chicago sexual assault attorneys have extensive experience handling complex rideshare cases and are committed to holding negligent companies and individuals accountable.

Chicago Rideshare Sexual Abuse Settlements We’ve Won

• $910,000 Rideshare alleged rape involving an intoxicated female passenger assaulted by a driver who followed her into her apartment.
• $495,000 Settlement for a rideshare user who was stalked and received repeated aggressive sexual text messages for months despite repeated complaints to the rideshare company.
• $1,900,000 Rideshare sexual assault involving woman stalked by driver. Litigation revealed that the company failed to conduct proper background screening, which would have revealed the driver had an extensive record related to sexual aggression.

Contact us today at 888-424-5757 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

The Troubling Facts About Sexual Assaults Committed By Rideshare Drivers

Rideshare services continue to expand across Chicago, providing quick and convenient ways for people to get around. Yet, as platforms such as Uber and Lyft are now in popularity, increased attention has been placed on the troubling rise in sexual assaults and other forms of misconduct. Both female passengers and male passengers can face risks, and sometimes drivers are also victims of assaults. Below are some statistics from recent Uber and Lyft safety reports and how they illustrate this growing concern.

Uber Sexual Assault Statistics

According to the most recent Uber safety report (2021–2022), there were 2,717 reports of sexual assault incidents in the United States connected to Uber rides. These incidents were then broken down based on the five major categories of sexual misconduct.

• Non-Consensual Kissing of a Non-Sexual Part of The Body: 338 Reports
• Non-Consensual Touching of a Sexual Part of The Body: 1401 Reports
• Non-Consensual Kissing of a Sexual Part of The Body: 338 Reports
• Attempted Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration: 285 Reports
• Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration: 355 Reports

According to the Uber safety report, around 89% of survivors in these particular cases were women, and in 90% of those reports, the accused individual was the driver. Additionally, some passengers have voiced concerns that misleading statements from the company about safety measures can contribute to a false sense of security.

Lyft Sexual Assault Statistics

Lyft released its own safety report covering 2020–2022, revealing the following:

• Non-Consensual Kissing of a Non-Sexual Body Part: 265 Reports
• Non-Consensual Touching of a Sexual Part of The Body: 1482 Reports
• Non-Consensual Kissing of a Sexual Part of The Body: 298 Reports
• Attempted Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration: Reports 241
• Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration: 365 Reports

Similar to Uber, women make up the majority of reported survivors. Lyft also required a direct connection between the individuals and the app within 48 hours of the ride ending for the report to be counted, potentially excluding incidents that surfaced later.

The statistics reported by Uber and Lyft highlight the severity of sexual assaults within rideshare services. If you or a loved one has been a victim of rideshare sexual assault, consider speaking with an attorney. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyer for help.

What is Considered Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any nonconsensual act or contact of a sexual nature, often involving force, coercion, or threats. When these assaults occur in rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, victims may feel trapped or powerless due to limited escape options and an imbalance of control.

Definition of Sexual Assault

Legally, sexual assault includes offenses such as non-consensual touching, groping, or forced sexual acts on another person’s body. It also covers non-consensual kissing, exposure of sexual body parts, or intimidation intended to pressure someone into sexual activity. In the context of rideshare sexual assault, these crimes can be committed by an Uber or Lyft driver, another passenger, or even someone posing as a driver.

Sexual Assault Scenarios Likely to Occur in an Uber or Lyft

Sexual assault includes many different types of unlawful and inappropriate behavior. Common examples could include:

• A Lyft or Uber driver taking advantage of an intoxicated or isolated passenger, leading to unwanted physical assault or misconduct.
• Touching or groping without consent by the driver on parts of the passenger’s body while the car is in motion, leaving the Uber passenger unable to escape the sexual assault (could also lead to charges of false imprisonment).
• Situations where the driver refuses to let the passenger exit, effectively restraining them and creating the opportunity for further assault.
• Cases where an unsuspecting victim gets into a vehicle where the driver is falsely claiming to be an Uber or Lyft car, only to experience forced sexual acts, like rape, inside the Uber.

Why These Situations Are Especially Concerning

Because riders rely on a driver to reach their destination safely, there’s an inherent imbalance of control in an Uber or Lyft ride. Passengers often have limited ability to defend themselves, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the area and the doors are locked or the vehicle is moving. These conditions can allow sexual predators – either actual drivers or those posing as Lyft or Uber drivers – to commit serious offenses like rape with fewer witnesses.

Anyone who’s been sexually assaulted in an Uber vehicle or has experienced sexual misconduct by a Lyft driver should know they have legal rights. Survivors can pursue a civil lawsuit (an Uber sexual assault lawsuit or a Lyft sexual assault claim) to seek compensation. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today.

How Does Uber Categorize Sexual Harassment and Assault?

Uber and Lyft’s safety reports divide sexual misconduct into categories based on the type and severity of the behavior, including five primary categories. These Uber and Lyft sexual assault and sexual harassment behaviors are broken down in the following way:

Non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part: Involves forcing a kiss on the part of the body not typically considered sexual without the other person’s agreement.

Non-consensual kissing of a sexual part of the body: Refers to forcing or imposing a kiss on parts of another individual’s body considered sexual without their permission.

Non-consensual touching of a sexual part of the body: Involves unwanted physical contact with areas recognized as sexual in nature, performed against a person’s will.

Attempted non-consensual sexual penetration: Occurs when someone tries, but fails, to forcibly or unlawfully penetrate another individual without their consent.

Non-consensual sexual penetration: This occurs when someone forcibly or unlawfully penetrates another individual’s body without permission.

If you have questions about these categories or what might constitute sexual assault, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to speak with a Chicago Uber sexual assault lawyer.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Assaulted?

If you’ve been assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver, it can be hard to know what to do next. Below are some important steps to secure evidence so you can take legal action:

Seek Medical Treatment: If you’ve been sexually assaulted, it’s important to visit a doctor for a thorough examination. This not only ensures your well-being but also provides a record of injuries that can be used as evidence later on.

Contact the Authorities: File a police report as soon as possible. Make sure you tell officers everything you remember and get the report number or a copy for your own records.

Document the Incident: Write down every detail you can recall, including the driver’s name, the time and location, plus any conversations that took place. If you took screenshots of your ride details or have text messages, save them as well.

Preserve All Evidence: Don’t delete any emails, notifications, or photographs connected to the ride. These can help establish a timeline and prove what happened. If you have visible injuries, take pictures right away and keep track of subsequent doctors’ appointments and treatments.

Contact a Chicago Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer: An experienced Lyft or Uber sexual assault lawyer can guide you on the next steps, communicate with insurance providers, and help build a thorough case for compensation.

Reach out to us for assistance in protecting your legal rights following the rideshare assault. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today.

An Uber, Lyft, or Via Driver Assaulted Me. Do I Have A Case?

If you have experienced a sexual assault by an Uber, Lyft, or Via driver, you may have grounds for a legal claim if you can show that the rideshare driver (or company) engaged in wrongful conduct or negligence leading to your harm. Generally, you’ll need to prove four basic elements: that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty (for example, through inadequate background checks or intentional harm), their actions directly caused your physical, emotional, or financial injuries, and that you suffered actual damages as a result.

If these criteria are met, you may be entitled to compensation. To fully understand your options and protect your rights, speak with a Chicago Uber sexual assault lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.

What Is the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit MDL, and Do You Qualify?

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a legal process designed to centralize and streamline multiple federal lawsuits that share similar facts. In the context of Uber sexual assault claims, more than 2,000 individual lawsuits have been consolidated in a single court to address common questions, such as whether the company’s driver-screening methods were sufficient to protect riders from abuse. The MDL approach can speed up the exchange of evidence and help all parties benefit from consistent legal rulings.

Recent Developments in the Uber Sexual Assault MDL

The Uber sexual assault MDL continues to advance, with plaintiffs asserting that the company failed to properly vet its drivers, allegedly resulting in a higher risk of sexual assault or misconduct for users. As part of the discovery phase, the court may examine Uber’s safety data, including reports of past incidents, driver background checks, and any safety measures put in place to warn or protect riders. The court is also in the process of selecting bellwether cases, which are representative lawsuits that go to trial first and can guide potential settlements for the remaining claims.

Determining Your Eligibility

If you’ve been sexually assaulted by an Uber driver, you may qualify to join the MDL or pursue your own sexual assault case as a way to seek justice. To determine if you are eligible, a lawyer will review your circumstances, the timing of the incident, and any evidence of Uber’s potential negligence. Reaching out to an attorney with expertise in rideshare sexual assault claims is the best first step to understanding your legal options and protecting your rights.

MDL vs. Class Action Lawsuit

An MDL and a class action lawsuit are distinct ways to handle multiple civil claims that revolve around the same general issue. In an MDL, individual cases remain separate but are grouped together in one federal court for streamlined discovery and pre-trial motions; each plaintiff retains a unique claim based on their personal circumstances.

In a class action, plaintiffs who share similar injuries or grievances join together and are collectively represented by one or a few individuals who act as the lead plaintiffs. Any settlement or court judgment then applies equally to the entire class rather than handling each case individually.

It’s also helpful to understand civil vs criminal claims. Civil sexual assault claims against rideshare companies or drivers are cases where victims can seek monetary damages. The case is brought by a specific individual because of harm they’ve experienced as a result of sexual harassment or assault.

Criminal charges, on the other hand, would be pursued by government authorities and could lead to legal consequences like jail time for the defendant, but wouldn’t directly offer financial compensation to the victim.

While both processes can arise from the same incident, the outcome of a criminal case doesn’t determine the result of a related civil case, and vice versa.

Is there A Class action or MDL Against Lyft?

To date, most of the consolidated litigation has centered on Uber-related claims. While there have been multiple lawsuits filed against Lyft for alleged driver misconduct, they haven’t been organized under a nationwide class action or MDL in the same way Uber cases have. That doesn’t mean you don’t have legal options if you’ve experienced sexual assault or other forms of harm during a Lyft ride.

Filing an Individual Claim Against Lyft, Via, or Other Rideshare Companies

If you’re not part of a class action or MDL, you can still file sexual assault lawsuits against Via, Lyft, or Uber Technologies on your own. This involves hiring an experienced lawyer to undergo a thorough investigation of your Lyft or Uber sexual assault case, gather evidence like witness statements and records of medical treatment, and demonstrate how the rideshare company’s negligence (such as inadequate driver screening) contributed to your injury.

Filing lawsuits allow you to pursue compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, lost wages, and other related damages in the same way any personal claim would be filed.

For more information about a potential Lyft or Uber sexual assault lawsuit, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

How Can A Chicago Lyft/Uber Sexual Assault Attorney Help You?

Hiring a Chicago Lyft or Uber sexual assault attorney means you’ll have a skilled law firm by your side that knows how to investigate these complex cases, gather evidence, and hold the right parties accountable. An experienced law firm can thoroughly evaluate the value of your sexual assault lawsuit, factoring in medical bills, emotional injuries, lost wages, and other damages.

By negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking the matter to court, your Lyft and Uber sexual assault lawyer ensures you have the best chance of recovering total compensation for your losses. Additionally, having a trusted attorney on your side removes much of the burden from you, so you can focus on healing while they handle the legal details. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to discuss a civil lawsuit.

What Damages Are Available For Uber or Lyft Sexual Assault Victims in The Chicago Area?

When a sexual assault happens in an Uber or Lyft, the harm can be life-altering on many levels. In Chicago, survivors may be entitled to different types of compensation. Below is an overview of the common damages that can be pursued in a rideshare sexual assault claim:

Economic Damages: These cover out-of-pocket costs related to your sexual assault, like medical expenses (including hospital care, doctor visits, and therapy costs), as well as any lost income if your emotional or physical injuries prevent you from working. If you require ongoing treatment – such as long-term counseling for trauma – those anticipated costs can also be factored into your total claim.

Non-Economic Damages: Because sexual assault often brings severe emotional and psychological trauma, claimants in Chicago may seek compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished enjoyment of life. The severity and lasting impact of the assault may influence the amount of compensation awarded in this category.

Punitive Damages: If Lyft or Uber Technology’s conduct as a company or the Uber driver’s actions were especially reckless, malicious, or intentionally harmful, the court might award punitive damages – especially if they believe Uber or Lyft’s safety features or background checks were not adequately enforced. These serve as a punishment to the offending party and a deterrent against similar behavior in the future.

While no amount of money can undo the damage of a traumatic event like a Lyft or Uber sexual assault, pursuing a claim can help cover the costs of recovery and hold offenders accountable. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today for a confidential consultation to discuss the legal process of a Lyft or Uber sexual assault case.

How Long Do I Have To File A Lyft or Uber Sexual Abuse Lawsuit In Illinois?

Under Illinois law, the length of time you have to file a civil lawsuit in a Lyft or Uber sexual abuse case varies depending on the specific circumstances. In general, victims previously had two to twenty years to bring a claim – either from the date of the abuse or the date they discovered injuries related to the abuse.

However, for major offenses like criminal sexual assault, the statute of limitations was removed, allowing survivors to seek compensation without a deadline. These changes do not affect cases from before the law was updated, and earlier time limits may still apply. Sexual abuse against children also has no statute of limitations.

If individual claims against rideshare companies end up in multi-district litigation, a federal court will coordinate pretrial procedures. However, state law, including statutes of limitations, generally still applies to each claim unless federal doctrines alter or pause those deadlines.

Because these rules vary based on when the assault happened, whether a child was involved, and any recent changes to the law, it is best to consult an attorney to clarify how these deadlines apply to your particular situation. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to discuss a possible sexual abuse claim and seek justice for what you’ve been through.

How Much Is My Rideshare Sexual Assault Case Worth?

The worth of a rideshare sexual assault claim varies widely depending on factors like the severity of the assault, the strength of your evidence, and the impact of your injuries – physical, emotional, and financial. In many instances, serious assaults backed by strong supporting documentation can lead to large settlements or verdicts. Meanwhile, less severe misconduct or limited evidence may result in smaller payouts.

Confidential Settlements and Industry Averages

Although there have been lawsuits against Lyft and other companies, many settlements are confidential, making it difficult to estimate case values precisely. However, some experts estimate settlement amounts could range between $300,000 and $800,000, with some exceeding $1 million if the assault involved more substantial harm.

MDLs and Tiered Resolutions

When cases are consolidated in multidistrict litigation, they may be resolved through a global settlement agreement. Each Lyft and Uber sexual assault claim is then typically organized by tiers, taking into account factors like assault severity and evidence strength. Incidents deemed most serious – such as forcible rape – are generally placed in higher tiers, leading to larger settlements. Lower-tier cases, on the other hand, tend to lead to lower compensation amounts.

To get a clearer idea of what your claim might be worth, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today.

Speak with a Chicago Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer Today

Experiencing a sexual assault while using a rideshare service can be frightening and traumatic, and we understand that money cannot undo the damage. However, taking legal action can help hold the perpetrator accountable and provide you with a way to move forward. The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is dedicated to pursuing justice for survivors, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation, and let us help you take a step toward healing. Call (888) 424-5757 or complete the online contact form to speak with a Chicago Uber sexual assault lawyer to discuss Lyft and Uber sexual assault lawsuits.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.