Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuits

Financial Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Assault by Lyft or Uber Drivers

Rideshare sexual assault lawsuits are giving Lyft and Uber sexual assault survivors a powerful way to hold negligent companies accountable, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help every step of the way. Our law firm represents individuals who have been sexually assaulted while using services like Uber or Lyft, fighting to secure justice and compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. 

Too often, rideshare companies failed to implement basic safety measures to protect passengers, leaving riders vulnerable to devastating assaults. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual assault or sexual abuse, our experienced sexual assault attorneys can guide you through the legal action needed to pursue accountability and recovery.

Uber Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation

Across the country, survivors have taken legal action against Uber Technologies Inc. and other rideshare companies for failing to protect passengers. These Lyft and Uber sexual assault lawsuits have revealed repeated patterns of negligence, including weak background checks and ignored sexual assault reports. 

For example, a New York Times investigation of confidential internal documents revealed that Uber received over 400,000 reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the U.S. from 2017 to 2022, a figure much higher than what the company has publicly reported.

One of the most widely recognized cases is the Uber sexual assault lawsuit consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in California federal court. Hundreds of women who were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers joined the Uber sexual assault litigation, alleging that the company failed to implement adequate safety measures and ignored serious warnings about predator drivers. 

Another high-profile Uber sexual assault case involved multiple sexual assault incidents reported by Uber passengers in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. These Uber sexual assault lawsuits claimed Uber was responsible for sexual assault by highlighting how passenger sexual complaints were disregarded, allowing dangerous Lyft/Uber drivers to remain on the road. 

Uber has added safety features like RideCheck and an emergency button in the Uber app due to legal and public pressure, but these basic safety measures alone may not be enough to fully address passenger safety concerns.

How Common Are Lyft and Uber Sexual Assault Claims?

Recent safety reports from Uber and Lyft reveal alarming sexual assault statistics involving the Lyft and Uber platforms. 

Uber’s most recent safety report disclosed 3,824 reports of sexual assault in 2019–2020, including 141 rapes in 2020 alone. The vast majority of survivors were women riders, though some sexual assault cases involved riders assaulting Lyft/Uber drivers. 

Lyft’s first-ever safety transparency report showed 4,158 reports of rideshare sexual assault from 2017–2019, including 360 rapes and 10 deaths from physical assaults.

Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuit Updates

2026

January 2026

January 17 – California Bellwether Trial Begins

The first bellwether trial in the coordinated California Uber sexual assault litigation officially got underway in San Francisco. This case is seen as a critical test for hundreds of similar sexual assault claims. Plaintiffs argue Uber knowingly placed growth and revenue ahead of rider safety, despite mounting reports of sexual misconduct over several years.

At trial, plaintiffs are focusing heavily on internal company data they say shows sexual violence reports were far higher than Uber publicly acknowledged. They contend Uber declined stronger safety measures, such as fingerprinting drivers or requiring in-car cameras, because those steps might have slowed expansion.

The verdict is expected to influence how more than 500 remaining California cases move forward, as well as parallel federal litigation. Plaintiffs are optimistic following several pretrial rulings and believe the evidence of Uber’s conduct is substantial.

January 6 – Judge Denies Uber’s Attempt to Delay Trial

Judge denies Uber’s request to delay the trial because of the advertising campaign. 

January 5 – Uber MDL Tops 3,000 Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits

As of early January 2026, the Uber driver sexual abuse/assault MDL has 3,191 total cases that have been filed, with 3,078 active cases. 

The MDL is one of the largest pending in the country at the moment, with continued growth in the number of sexual assault cases added. Uber is preparing to face the first bellwether trial after a judge denied the company’s attempt to delay proceedings or block plaintiff-side advertising.

That case, brought by an Arizona woman alleging rape by her Uber driver, is scheduled to begin January 13, 2026. The judge declined to explain the denial, but the ruling clears the way for the trial to proceed as planned.

Although Uber previously avoided liability in a state bellwether, this federal trial is widely viewed as a turning point that could significantly affect Uber’s sexual assault settlement posture across the MDL.

2025

December 2025 

December 19 – Lyft Cases May Soon Be Consolidated Into MDL

Lyft cases may soon be consolidated into a federal MDL. A hearing was set for January 29 to evaluate whether federal coordination is appropriate. Lyft cases are already coordinated in the California state court.

December 5 – JCCP Appeal Notice and MDL Trial Delay Request

The first bellwether plaintiff in California’s Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings (JCCP) for Uber sexual assault cases has informed the court of plans to appeal the October verdict, in which Uber was found not liable. The plaintiff initially sought a new trial in the same court, but did not pursue that motion and will instead appeal to a higher California court.

At the federal level, Uber moved to delay the first MDL bellwether trial, scheduled for January 13, 2026, arguing that a plaintiff-side advertising campaign should be halted before the case proceeds. 

Uber argues that the campaign (referencing reporting that Uber sexual misconduct incidents were reported every eight minutes between 2017 and 2022) is misleading and seeks to restrict its distribution in states where bellwether trials will be held. Uber also requested authority to subpoena the law firm behind the campaign.

December 2 – More Uber MDL Cases Added, and California Lyft Cases Remained Around 100

Almost 200 new Uber sexual assault lawsuits were added to the Uber sexual assault MDL in November, and as of December 2025, the federal MDL has 2,949 active cases. Lyft’s California state court coordination still has 100+ active cases.

November 2025

November 18 – Uber Bellwether Schedule Change

The first bellwether trial in the Uber sexual assault MDL is now set for January 13, 2026, about a week later than previously planned.

November 3 – Uber MDL Continues to Grow

The federal Uber MDL continued growing, reaching 2,783 active Uber sexual assault lawsuits, an increase of more than 60 cases over the prior month.

October 2025

October 29 – Another Uber Bellwether Trial Scheduled

Another Uber bellwether trial in California state court was slated for May 2026, while the first federal bellwether trial continued moving toward a jury trial in the near future. Both were described as likely global settlement drivers.

At a case management conference, the parties filed a joint case management statement ahead of a scheduled court conference. In that filing, they reported that Uber was defending 2,804 sexual assault cases in federal court, in addition to approximately 750 related cases pending in California state court.

October 22 – Deadline Disputes Over First Uber Bellwether

Uber’s legal team and the plaintiff’s legal teams disputed deadline extensions that could affect the first federal bellwether’s timing, particularly around rebuttal expert reports and whether extensions could fit without disrupting the broader trial calendar.

October 6 – Motion Filed to Establish Lyft MDL

A motion was filed to establish a Lyft MDL, proposing placement before the judge already overseeing Uber’s federal litigation.

October 1, 2025 – Negligence Found, But No Liability, Jury Questions Focus on Causation

The jury concluded that Uber acted negligently in connection with a 2016 sexual assault involving an 18-year-old rider. However, the jury in the San Francisco Superior Court also found that Uber’s negligence was not a substantial cause of the injury, which ultimately shielded the company from damages.

While the verdict was disappointing for the plaintiff, it established an important point for the broader passenger sexual assault litigation: jurors were willing to find Uber Technologies Inc. negligent, even if causation proved to be a hurdle in that specific case.

During deliberations in the California trial, jurors asked the court for clarification on what qualifies as a “substantial factor” in causing harm. The judge explained that the plaintiff had to show that the emotional distress and physical injuries would not have occurred without Uber Technologies Inc.’s conduct.

The question revealed jurors were less concerned with whether Uber was negligent and more uncertain about whether that negligence directly caused the plaintiff’s harm. Observers believe this issue may be less problematic in cases involving clearer connections between Uber’s conduct and severe trauma.

September 2025

September 29 – MDL Discovery Disputes Continue

The federal MDL court held a discovery hearing addressing ongoing disagreements over document production, deposition logistics, access to sensitive mental health records, and the handling of protected materials from related cases.

Despite these procedural disputes, attention remained on the California jury, which had not yet reached a verdict at that time.

September 26 – California Jury Begins Deliberations

After the closing arguments, the jury received the case. Plaintiffs urged jurors to award $21.8 million in damages, arguing Uber knowingly rejected safety measures like dashcams and stronger driver oversight.

Deliberations were scheduled to begin the following Monday, with all eyes on what would become the first verdict in coordinated proceedings.

September 25 – Congressional Inquiry Launched

A House oversight subcommittee opened an investigation into Uber’s handling of sexual assault reports, prompted by reporting that incidents occur far more frequently than the company has disclosed.

Representative Nancy Mace sent a letter to Uber’s CEO demanding answers about how the company tracks, responds to, and reports sexual misconduct, emphasizing that the issue represents an ongoing safety threat to riders.

September 24 – Dispute Over Alleged Document Leak

Uber asked the California court to address what it claims was a leak of sealed discovery materials to The New York Times. The company sought certifications from plaintiffs’ counsel that they were not involved.

While acknowledging that violations of protective orders should carry consequences, critics argue that overly broad confidentiality rules in mass tort cases often prevent the public from learning about systemic safety failures with real public importance.

September 21 – Evidence Highlights Safety Tradeoffs

As the California trial unfolded, jurors heard testimony and reviewed internal documents showing Uber’s long-standing awareness of rideshare sexual assault risks. Evidence included data on misconduct reports, delayed safety features, and executive decisions that Uber prioritized rapid growth over the safety of passengers. This is alleged to have led to system failures in protecting passengers from being sexually assaulted. 

Plaintiffs emphasized that Uber resisted feasible protections, such as dashcams and gender-based matching, due to concerns about cost, regulation, and public perception. Uber countered by arguing assaults were statistically rare and pointing to existing safety tools.

September 16 – Uber Sexual Assault Trial Begins

A California state Uber sexual assault trial began, treated as a major early test case for the litigation.

September 16 – Federal Bellwether Transfers Ordered

The Uber MDL judge ordered two bellwether cases transferred to the Western District of North Carolina while keeping them under his supervision. The move allows jury trials to proceed in that district while preserving centralized control.

The first federal bellwether remained scheduled for early January 2026. Although bellwether verdicts are not binding on other plaintiffs, they are expected to heavily influence global settlement negotiations in the Uber sexual assault MDL for the entire litigation. 

September 2 – Uber MDL Court Signals Continued Momentum

In a late-summer Uber MDL hearing, the judge signaled skepticism toward Uber’s attempts to limit discovery and appeared open to ordering production of additional internal datasets. The court emphasized cooperation as the litigation moved closer to trial and potential resolution.

August 2025 – First Bellwether Trial Scheduled

The first wave of bellwether trials in the Uber passenger sexual assault MDL is scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025, with both sides agreeing to start with Dean v. Uber. The case involves an Arizona plaintiff. The plaintiff alleges she was raped by an Uber driver even though the company had previously received multiple complaints about him, including allegations of sexual misconduct. She claims Uber failed to warn her or remove the driver before the assault.

The second Wave 1 bellwether will be a North Carolina case brought by a plaintiff identified as WHB 823, selected by the defense and trial-ready due to completed fact discovery. Additional Wave 1 trial sequencing is still under consideration, with Charles Breyer expected to issue further guidance.

April 2025 – Bellwether Trials to Proceed in 5 Waves

The Uber MDL court ordered bellwether trials to proceed in five waves, intending to test a broad range of theories and safety-feature disputes.

September 2024 – Increase in Uber MDL Cases

The Uber MDL experienced a sharp increase in filings: 1,263 pending cases at the start of September, compared with 387 one month earlier. 

October 2023 – Uber Sexual Assault MDL Has Been Consolidated in the Northern District of California

In October 2023, Uber sexual assault cases were consolidated into an MDL in The Northern District of California before Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California. The MDL is meant to streamline aspects of the legal process for similar individual cases that have been filed against Uber Technologies, Inc.

August 2022 – 550 Plaintiffs File an Uber Sexual Assault Case

In San Francisco County Superior Court, 550 plaintiffs filed Uber sexual assault/harassment cases, with law firms reportedly reviewing additional potential matters.

July 2022 – 17 New Lawsuits

Lyft riders and drivers filed 17 new lawsuits alleging failures to ensure safety and/or inadequate follow-up after reports.

June 2022 – $25 Million Shareholder Settlement

Lyft reached a $25 million shareholder settlement tied to allegations about disclosure of safety concerns prior to going public.

December 2021 – $9 Million Settlement

Uber and the California Public Utilities Commission reached a $9 million settlement regarding alleged failures to provide information about safety violations.

March 2018 – 7 Women Join Uber Lawsuit

Seven additional women joined an Uber assault lawsuit that had begun earlier.

November 2017 – 2 Women File an Uber Sexual Assault Class Action 

Two women filed an Uber class action lawsuit alleging Uber’s driver screening and related practices created unsafe conditions that enabled sexual violence.

November 2016 – Uber Settles With 2 Women

Uber settled with two anonymous women alleging sexual assault by drivers, avoiding trial.

October 2015 – 2 Women File an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit 

Two women filed a federal complaint in San Francisco alleging Uber failed to provide safe rides and that both were sexually assaulted while using the service.

What Damages Can Lyft and Uber Sexual Assault Victims Recover?

Common damages in a Lyft or Uber lawsuit include:

• Medical Costs – Emergency treatment, ongoing care, and therapy after being sexually assaulted.
• Lost Income – Wages missed due to recovery or the inability to return to work.
• Emotional Trauma – Pain, suffering, and the lasting psychological effects of sexual abuse.
• Future Support – Counseling, medication, and other resources needed to rebuild stability after sexual abuse.
• Punitive Damages – In cases where Uber Technologies Inc. failed to apply proper background checks or ignored reports of assault, survivors may be awarded punitive damages meant to hold the company accountable.

To get the most compensation possible, survivors are encouraged to get medical attention, report the incident to the police, and save any digital evidence, such as Lyft/Uber ride receipts and GPS data, as soon as possible after the event.

By pursuing a Lyft or Uber lawsuit, survivors can seek justice while also pushing rideshare companies to adopt stronger safety protocols to protect passengers from preventable harm. We are committed to guiding victims of sexual assault litigation and fighting for the maximum recovery possible.

Rideshare sexual misconduct can take many different forms, all of which can leave survivors with lasting physical and emotional trauma. According to company safety reports and court filings, survivors of rideshare sexual assault have reported a wide range of sexual misconduct by rideshare drivers, including:

• Unwanted Sexual Contact – Groping, fondling, or inappropriate touching during or after a ride.
• Non-Consensual Kissing or Sexual Advances – Forcing unwanted intimacy on passengers.
• Sexual Harassment – Verbal threats, explicit comments, or coercion intended to intimidate or pressure the passenger.
• Attempted Assault – When a driver attempts to assault but is stopped, or the passenger escapes.
• Rape or Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration – The most severe and devastating form of assault, often leading to criminal charges as well as civil lawsuits.

It is important to recognize that survivors may be eligible to pursue legal action, whether they were physically assaulted, sexually harassed, or coerced during a ride. These incidents are not isolated, as many Lyft and Uber lawsuits have shown that rideshare companies ignored warning signs and failed to enforce safety practices that could have prevented sexual assault and abuse from occurring.

Potential Lyft/Uber Sexual Assault Settlement Values 

The Uber sexual assault MDL is a major mass tort, one of the largest in recent years, with thousands of sexual assault claims filed, making it one of the largest currently active MDLs. Uber’s sexual assault lawsuits claim the company should be held liable for sexual assaults committed by its drivers because it failed to properly screen them and did not put adequate safety measures in place. 

Many sexual assault cases against Lyft and Uber are resolved through pre-litigation settlements or before a case moves to trial. That means a lot of settlement values are private, with limited details shared publicly. 

Still, our experienced legal team uses its extensive work with rideshare claims to project a range of possible settlements based on patterns we see and the facts presented in similar cases.

Settlement values for Lyft/Uber sexual assault lawsuits often fall into tiers based on the nature of the assault and the severity of the harm:

• Tier 1: Forcible rape, situations involving a minor or vulnerable person, or causing severe, life-changing trauma – settlements estimated between $1,515,000 and $3,025,000.
• Tier 2: Sexual assault cases with clear evidence and lasting psychological injuries typically range from $810,000 to $1,535,000.
• Tier 3: Groping, such as inappropriate touching or attempted assault, where the victim required counseling or therapy, often settle between $505,000 and $820,000.
• Tier 4: Sexual harassment cases with limited proof, but involving an imminent threat or strong circumstantial evidence – projected settlements are around $310,000 to $515,000.
• Tier 5: Cases that involve delayed reporting of sexual advances, or situations with no physical contact, often see values in the $155,000 to $310,000 range.

It is important to recognize that every situation is unique – actual Lyft/Uber sexual assault settlement values may be higher or lower depending on the details of your case, the severity of the assault and harm you suffered, and the strength of the evidence you have that links Uber’s negligence to the assault. The figures listed here are not guaranteed outcomes for any individual claim. 

How Long Do Sexual Assault Survivors Have to File Sexual Assault Lawsuits After They Experienced Sexual Assault?

When a Lyft or Uber driver sexually assaults someone, survivors may be eligible to pursue justice for such incidents, but strict legal deadlines apply. These deadlines, known as sexual abuse statutes of limitations, vary from state to state, and missing them can prevent survivors from seeking compensation through the courts.

In California, survivors generally have 10 years to bring a civil claim for rideshare sexual assault, and many are active participants in the current MDL against Uber. Many Illinois survivors have filed cases within the state’s extended deadlines, which allow several years depending on the circumstances.

Survivors in New York can take advantage of special “lookback windows,” which have temporarily reopened expired sexual assault claims, allowing more victims to file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit. States like Texas have shorter timelines, often ranging from 2–4 years, making it critical for survivors to act quickly and consult a law firm experienced in rideshare sexual assault litigation.

Because statutes of limitations differ and are influenced by factors like age, discovery of injuries, and ongoing investigations, speaking with a Lyft or Uber sexual assault lawyer right away is essential. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers helps survivors understand their rights, navigate these complex deadlines, and take swift legal action to hold Uber accountable.

How an Experienced Sexual Lawyer Can Help

Pursuing Lyft/Uber sexual assault lawsuits against powerful rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft after a Lyft or Uber driver sexually assaults someone is never simple. 

Survivors often face unique challenges, including proving liability when companies argue that drivers are “independent contractors,” uncovering ignored reports of assault, and showing how failed background checks contributed to the attack. These cases also involve deeply personal testimony, requiring both compassion and skill from the legal team representing survivors. 

That’s where Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers comes in. We understand the sensitivity of working with assault survivors while building the strongest case possible. 

We investigate company records, expose how passenger complaints were handled, and demonstrate when the company failed to adopt safety protocols to protect riders. In some cases, we file Lyft/Uber sexual assault lawsuits individually, and in others, we may join a class action Lyft or Uber lawsuit or join existing multidistrict litigation (MDL) to amplify survivors’ voices.

With decades of experience, our attorneys know how to maximize compensation for survivors who were sexually assaulted by rideshare drivers and hold companies accountable. When you choose our Lyft/Uber sexual assault law firm, you’re partnering with a team that will fight tirelessly for justice, recovery, and meaningful change in the rideshare industry.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have secured significant results for victims of sexual assault. Some of our cases include:

• $1.9 Million Settlement – A college student was sexually assaulted by a driver after repeated passenger complaints were ignored. Our law firm proved lasting emotional trauma and financial losses.
• $2 Million Settlement – A driver assaulted a woman after following her home. We showed the company failed to enforce proper background checks, leading to long-term emotional and career disruption.
• Confidential Seven-Figure Settlement – A passenger experienced sexual assault after the company failed to remove a driver with a history of misconduct. We exposed the negligence and won compensation for therapy and recovery needs.

FAQs

How many people have filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Uber?

Over 2,500 sexual assault victims from more than 29 states have joined the MDL against Uber as of August, 2025.

Can I file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit if the driver was never charged with a crime?

Yes. Survivors may be eligible to file a civil Uber sexual assault lawsuit even if the driver was never arrested or prosecuted. Civil rideshare lawsuits are separate from criminal charges (which could potentially lead to incarceration and sex offender registration for the driver). 

Instead, the civil Lyft and Uber assault lawsuits focus on whether the rideshare company failed to apply adequate background checks or ignored reports of assault, and could lead to compensation being recovered for the victim. Our law firm builds these cases on company negligence, not just criminal outcomes, to help survivors pursue justice.

Can I remain anonymous throughout the process?

In many cases, survivors can proceed under initials or pseudonyms to protect privacy. Courts recognize the sensitive nature of passenger sexual assault litigation, and our attorneys work to ensure your identity is safeguarded.

What are the consequences suffered by victims of Lyft/Uber sexual assault incidents?

Victims who suffer sexual assault or abuse often face long-term psychological trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of trust in everyday activities. Many also struggle with lost wages, career setbacks, and ongoing therapy needs. That’s why our law firm fights aggressively for damages covering emotional harm, lost income, medical treatment, and counseling

How much does a rideshare sexual assault law firm cost?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we represent victims of sexual assault on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and you only pay if we win your case by obtaining a Lyft/Uber sexual assault settlement or verdict. We also provide a completely free and confidential consultation.

Consult Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault in a rideshare vehicle, you may be eligible to file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit. Our experienced Lyft and Uber sexual assault lawyers have the knowledge, resources, and determination to challenge major rideshare companies and win. 

Whether your case involves individual claims or participation in a Lyft/Uber class action lawsuit, we are committed to protecting your rights, exposing when companies failed to establish safety measures to protect passengers, and proving that sexual assault occurred as a result of their negligence. Our goal is to secure justice for sexual assault survivors. 

Contact our personal injury lawyers for a free and confidential consultation today.

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.