Summary
- The largest rideshare company in the U.S. has been reckless with the drivers it hosts on its app, according to Uber sexual assault lawsuits
- Survivors blame Uber for recognizing riders were at risk of being sexually assaulted but failing to effectively deal with the problem
- Sexual assault survivors are vulnerable to numerous injuries including depression, STDs, and anxiety.
Many of us don’t think twice about calling an Uber to get where we need to go. The recent deluge of Uber sexual assault lawsuits is a harsh reminder that when a rideshare company acts irresponsibly, it is the riders who pay the price with our safety and well-being.
Uber is weathering considerable backlash as rideshare users expose the company’s inadequate, inconsistent, and incomprehensible security standards. Riders who were sexually assaulted by Uber-approved drivers are seeking settlements to cover their medical bills, emotional distress, and lost wages. Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia has had their back since day one.
Call (800) 320-HELP or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a skilled WHG personal injury attorney. Our trusted team can provide you with clarity on the steps of the claims process, the scope and cost of our services, and what your Uber sexual assault settlement could be worth.
Why Choose WHG?
Sexual assault is a sensitive subject, and rideshare liability laws can make it tough to determine who is responsible for damages. You need a personal injury lawyer with the right disposition, as well as the expertise, to respectfully and effectively advocate for maximum compensation.
At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we set the standard for our field. We’re constantly striving to do better for our clients. As your Uber sexual assault attorneys, our team at WHG will pinpoint a strategy, build a solid case, and execute our argument to get you the settlement you deserve. You can depend on us to look out for your best interests from start to finish.
Get an Informed Perspective on WHG Through Our Reviews and Case Results
If you are looking for insight into how the personal injury attorneys of WHG perform, we encourage you to check out our case results. Just as important to us are the responses we get from clients about their time with our team.
We are proud to display reviews from former clients because they serve as a reminder that by fulfilling our mission, the work we do can have a profound impact on others for years to come.
“I’ve worked with Michael Hoffman and his team for years. They are incredibly professional, caring, and proactive. As a veteran, I always prefer to work with other veterans. Mike truly knows what my experiences have been and advocates for me.”
“They [WHG] have been very responsive & and engaging all within a very timely manner.”
“They will make the process as painless as possible and will always go the extra mile with zero hesitation.”
Stay Current With Updates From WHG on the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits
Keep an eye out for major decisions and developments in the Uber sexual assault multidistrict litigation.
February 2024
The plaintiffs in the Uber sexual assault lawsuits have filed a Master Complaint with U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer who is overseeing the cases. Multidistrict litigations are intended to consolidate similar claims, and a Master Complaint is one of the tools used to accomplish this.
Survivors essentially compiled the main arguments they would be making. Notably, plaintiffs laid the groundwork for their contention that Uber was aware of the risk to rider safety and failed to act accordingly to diminish it.
Rideshare services were supposed to be the safer alternative to walking home alone from the bar or taking public transportation late at night. Predatory Uber drivers depend on this false sense of security to target riders. Most of the time, it is male Uber drivers sexually assaulting female passengers.
For the sake of this article, sexual assault is being used to refer to non-consensual contact of a sexual nature, such as:
- Rape and attempted rape
- Groping
- Stalking
- Unwanted kissing
Uber doesn’t deny that it happens, but it has tried to frame the narrative to protect its public image. For example, the rideshare company has released reports of sexual assault incidents.
Uber focused on the fact that over 99% of trips had no issues, but between 2017 and 2020, at least 9,805 individuals reported a sexual assault. For those individuals, all it took was one trip to be subjected to potentially life-altering trauma.
Here’s the reasoning behind why survivors are taking legal action against Uber instead of just the individual drivers:
- Even though Uber operates its drivers as independent contractors, it still maintains a legal duty to act responsibly when hiring and managing them. Therefore, the rideshare company has potential liability in a personal injury lawsuit.
- There is a clear connection between Uber’s negligence and plaintiffs’ physical and emotional injuries. The lack of sufficient safeguards to prevent sexual assault and Uber’s lackluster follow-up efforts with survivors speak to the fact that it’s a larger issue with Uber’s practices.
- Uber is aware that predators use its platform to facilitate their ability to commit sexual assault, but it relied on incomplete or outdated information for background checks and refuses to use fingerprints to validate driver identities, among other things.
- Most Uber drivers do not personally have the funds to reimburse survivors for the cost of their damages. Even if a survivor successfully settled a personal injury lawsuit against the Uber driver who sexually assaulted them, they would very likely still have expenses not covered by the settlement.
Types of Injuries Cited in Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits
Sexual assault doesn’t have to leave physical marks for a survivor to be able to claim compensation for an injury. While some perpetrators do use weapons or brute force to incapacitate their targets, that does not diminish the experiences of those who emerge with “only” mental injuries.
Survivors may face physical and mental consequences, such as:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety
- Lacerations and bruising
- Damages to the genitals
- Broken bones
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Pregnancy
- Adverse reaction to being drugged
In any event, the short and long-term effects of sexual assault can manifest in many ways. As a result of the trauma of being sexually assaulted, survivors may engage in risk-taking behaviors that further endanger their mental and physical health. For example, an Uber sexual assault survivor may develop an eating disorder in a misguided attempt to regain control over their body.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Get For an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Economic damages: If you start going to a therapist, enter a rehab facility for substance abuse stemming from the assault, or miss an hour of work to give a statement to the police, you could potentially claim these financial costs.
Non-economic damages: Then there are the intangible costs of experiencing such a violating event, such as the pain and suffering you endured. A personal injury attorney can help you determine the monetary value of costs like no longer being able to maintain an intimate relationship with your partner or feeling so scared you struggle to leave the house.
Punitive damages: The courts could impose a financial penalty on Uber, given how significant and prolonged its negligence was, not to mention the number of people who have suffered profoundly as a result.
What To Do If Your Uber Driver Sexually Assaults You
Being the target of sexual assault is a harrowing experience. In the moment, your adrenaline is probably pumping, which can make it difficult to process what happened, let alone figure out what to do next. Here are a few key steps:
- Get to a safe location and contact law enforcement; don’t do anything that could destroy evidence, like washing your hands
- Provide the police with as much detail as you can remember: a description of the driver and their vehicle, the sequence of events including the route you took, whether they used a weapon, the car’s license plate number, etc.
- Accept medical attention, and if no one offers, request to see a healthcare provider like you would after a car accident
- Let hospital staff preserve evidence from your clothes and body to the extent that you feel comfortable
After that, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer about what your options are for pursuing compensation. They will be able to help you consider what expenses you will likely incur and assess their value.
Why You Should Hire WHG to Handle Your Personal Injury Claim
No one enjoys reliving the worst moments of their life. Unfortunately, the personal injury claims process can demand a lot from survivors to verify the cause of their injuries and the existence of their damages.
That’s why you need a formidable negotiator who will get it right the first time. At WHG, we will champion your needs and leverage our resources to achieve a successful outcome.
Based on our experience representing survivors of military sexual trauma, we understand that seeking compensation can be a simultaneously validating and upsetting process. Our Uber sexual assault attorneys will work to make the experience as painless as possible and secure a fair settlement for your damages.
Trust WHG’s Uber Sexual Assault Lawyers for Compensation Rights
At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, it goes without saying that survivors have our respect. We can offer you exceptional service based on our considerable skills in managing mass tort cases. WHG is proud of our years of advocating for clients who count on us. Our team of Uber sexual assault lawyers will represent you with tact, efficiency, and a steadfast dedication to maximizing your compensation.
When you’re ready to hold Uber accountable for its role in your trauma, WHG will be there. Trust us to handle your personal injury claim. Call (800) 320-HELP or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options with an experienced sexual assault attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines what my Uber sexual assault settlement is worth?
There are several factors at play that can influence the amount of compensation you recover, including:
- The financial cost of treating your injuries
- The extent to which your sexual assault injuries have interfered with your quality of life and emotional well-being
- The amount, strength, and reliability of the evidence connecting Uber’s negligence to your injuries and resulting damages
- The ability of your personal injury attorney and their willingness to take your case to court to maximize compensation
Should I agree to a rape kit after being sexually assaulted by an Uber driver?
Whether or not you agree to a rape kit is entirely your choice. You can pause at any time, and skip portions if you need to. The evidence a rape kit preserves -DNA from a strand of the perpetrator’s hair, fibers from their car, images of bruise patterns- can be essential in sexual assault claims. This is especially true in cases like the Uber sexual assaults where witnesses are hard to come by.
Is the evidentiary standard for a civil Uber sexual assault case the same as a criminal case?
No. Civil claims require a lower burden of proof from the plaintiff because the penalty for the defendant is financial. The standard plaintiffs in the Uber sexual assault lawsuits must meet is a preponderance of the evidence. Basically, that means the threshold for finding the defendant negligent is only 51%.
