What To Do If You Were Sexually Assaulted While Using Uber Or Lyft

What To Do If You Were Sexually Assaulted

The most important thing to do following an assault is to find a safe environment and support network. Depending on the survivor, they may turn to a trusted loved one. They may choose to reach out to a medical professional or local law enforcement.

You do not need to go through the aftermath of an assault alone. 

Once safe, there are several steps a victim can take following an assault:

• Seek Medical Attention
• Report The Assault To Law Enforcement
• Report The Assault To Uber Or Lyft
• Document Your Experience
• Consult An Attorney About Your Legal Options

The actions you choose to take are entirely up to you.

Seek Medical Attention

It is common for survivors to experience physical injuries during an assault. Many victims choose to seek medical attention. 

If you do seek prompt medical attention, avoid showering or bathing beforehand. You may also want to bring a change of clothes with you. 

Trained medical professionals can treat your injuries and answer your questions. Victims of sexual assault often have questions about long-term mental and physical effects. Many survivors may express concern about:

• Anxiety and post-traumatic stress
• Pregnancy
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Other long-term effects of an assault or trauma

A trained healthcare professional can also administer a sexual assault forensic exam. This exam is commonly referred to as a “rape kit.” During this exam, a professional collects DNA evidence. If you choose to undergo an exam, you do not have to report the crime.

It is your choice to have the forensic exam completed. However, it can help you if you choose to seek legal action in the future.

Report The Assault To Law Enforcement

If you feel comfortable doing so, report the crime to your local police department by phone or in person.

Reporting the crime to law enforcement is not the same thing as filing a civil lawsuit against an abuser or the institution that enabled them. However, there is a chance your report may lead to a criminal investigation.

Report The Assault To Uber Or Lyft

Uber and Lyft both offer 24/7 support through their apps. Users can file reports of sexual or physical assault with either company following an incident. These options are available to drivers and riders assaulted while using rideshare services.

Document Your Experience

Regardless of whether you intend to file a lawsuit, it’s important to document your experience as fully as possible. You may decide to file a lawsuit or report the crime in the future. Documentation can help you or your lawyer hold people and institutions accountable.

Following the assault, try to document as much about the experience as you can remember. Survivors may experience gaps or haziness in their memories of the assault. Just do your best to document anything that comes to mind. 

Here are few specific items to document if you are able to:

• Date and time of the incident
• Location where the incident occurred
• Any details about the assailant you can remember
• Any other details about the ride or assault that stuck out to you

If you seek medical attention, be sure to keep any documentation from the appointment. Also, keep any documentation about the ride itself. Documentation may include screenshots of the receipt. Be sure to save any communication you have with Lyft or Uber following the assault.

Learn more about reporting sexual assault here >

Consult An Attorney About Your Legal Options

If legal action is something you’re considering, it’s important to talk to a lawyer soon after the incident. 

An experienced attorney can review the details of your case and help determine if legal action is right for you. Additionally, most states have specific legal deadlines around sexual assault. If you wait too long, your case may expire. Thus, you may lose the opportunity to sue your abuser.

What Is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault can be defined as unwanted sexual contact or behavior. A perpetrator may use physical violence or psychological coercion to assault a victim. 

Sexual assault can include any of the following acts:

• Rape (attempted or completed)
• Unwanted touching, groping or fondling
• Forcing a victim to perform a sexual act (such as masturbation, oral or anal sex)

Learn more about sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence here >

How Often Does Sexual Assault Occur While Using Uber Or Lyft?

According to Uber, users reported nearly 3,000 cases of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022. This statistic is likely an underestimation of Uber sexual assaults during this time frame. Many sexual assault victims don’t report their assaults.

Lyft’s safety data showed almost 2,700 cases of sexual assault between 2020 and 2022. This data also showed a decrease of 21% in reported cases compared to 2017 – 2019. This data may be an underestimate because some victims do not report their assault.

How Are Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment Different?

Sexual harassment is a broad term used to define unwelcome sexual advances. It may include requests for sexual favors or other physical or verbal behaviors or derogatory comments.

In contrast, sexual assault is behavior or contact of a sexual nature without the victim’s consent. Sexual assault may include unwanted sexual touching, forced sex acts, rape and attempted rape.

The law makes a distinction between assault and harassment. People may file a lawsuit alleging either or both. Compensation from a successful lawsuit or settlement may not be the same for assault and harassment. Talk to your lawyer about your specific case.

How Many Sexual Assaults Have Uber Drivers Committed?

Drivers were the accused party in roughly 68% of sexual assault cases reported to Uber between 2017 and 2022, which totals nearly 1,900 cases. This number only represents reported cases. There were likely more assaults by Uber drivers that went unreported during this time frame.

How Are Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment Different?

Sexual harassment is a broad term used to define unwelcome sexual advances. It may include requests for sexual favors or other physical or verbal behaviors or derogatory comments.

In contrast, sexual assault is behavior or contact of a sexual nature without the victim’s consent. Sexual assault may include unwanted sexual touching, forced sex acts, rape and attempted rape.

The law makes a distinction between assault and harassment. People may file a lawsuit alleging either or both. Compensation from a successful lawsuit or settlement may not be the same for assault and harassment. Talk to your lawyer about your specific case. 

I Was Assaulted | Should I Talk To A Lawyer?

If you or a loved one were assaulted while using rideshare services, legal action may be right for you. Many survivors find comfort, relief and a sense of justice through the legal process.

Filing a lawsuit against your assailant and the responsible rideshare company can also lead to compensation. Monetary awards or settlements can help cover related medical fees, therapy bills and other trauma-associated costs. 

Contact our legal team today to learn more about your options. Our legal partners at The Meneo Law Group have more than 30 years of experience. They can help you build a strong case and get the justice you deserve.

Rideshare Sexual Assault FAQs

Does Uber Take Complaints Seriously?

Uber claims it takes the safety of its customers and drivers seriously. The company has monitored safety and published yearly reports beginning in 2017. Uber also notes there are many ways to report a safety issue. According to their reports, sexual assault claims have gone down each year of the report.

Can You Sue Lyft For Sexual Abuse?

Passengers and drivers may be able to sue Lyft for sexual abuse. People have sued the company over acts of negligence that involve safety. These suits have included both sexual assault and harassment. Lawsuits may result in compensation for the victim. An experienced rideshare assault attorney can help victims understand their rights.