Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer
Ridesharing services — sometimes called “ride-hailing” services — match people with drivers in private vehicles to transport them short distances, similar to a taxi service. Rideshare companies use phone apps to connect riders with drivers. While they are great for convenience, there has been growing concern that using these apps can be dangerous. Call us today to discuss compensation and holding the rideshare company responsible if you were the victim of a rideshare sexual assault. Nobody should suffer simply because they needed a ride.
Uber received nearly 6,000 reports of serious sexual assault in 2017 and 2018 combined, according to a safety report released in early December 2019. That number includes both riders and drivers as those who reported assault. Lyft has also faced allegations of sexual assault perpetrated by its drivers.
The sexual assault allegations that were reported fall under one of the following five categories:
- Non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part
- Attempted non-consensual sexual penetration
- Non-consensual touching of a sexual body part
- Non-consensual kissing of a sexual body part
- Non-consensual sexual penetration
Many rideshare users are women and teenagers. There are many types of sexual assaults ranging from forcible rape to unwanted sexual contact. Groping and non-consensual touching are also forms of sex assaults, even over a person’s clothing, when done without a person’s consent.
Risks of Ridesharing
Rideshare services present unique opportunities for predators to commit physical and sexual assault against drivers and passengers. Several factors may contribute to the higher frequency of assaults in the rideshare industry.
Independent Contractor Risks
Unlike traditional taxi drivers, rideshare drivers are typically independent contractors and are not subject to the same regulations and licensing requirements. While Uber and Lyft do conduct criminal background checks on potential drivers, they have previously failed to rerun checks to catch illegal activity that may occur after hiring.
False Sense of Safety
Ridesharing has become a popular alternative to drunk driving, with many people viewing it as a safer option. Unfortunately, this perception of safety can lead to situations where passengers may be more vulnerable to assault due to intoxication or the inability to consent.
Carpooling Risks
Many rideshare services offer carpooling options where unrelated riders are picked up and transported together to save money. This can increase the risk of assault between passengers.
Lack of Safety Features
Since rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles, they may not have the same safety features as traditional taxis, such as physical dividers or dashboard cameras. This can impact the safety of both drivers and passengers.
What Should I Do If I Was The Victim of a Rideshare Sexual Assault?
If you were the victim of a sexual assault or rape by an Uber or Lyft driver, you could sue the driver and the rideshare company. When you hire Hach & Rose, LLP, one of our rideshare sexual assault lawyers will thoroughly investigate the matter. If the evidence supports your case, we will file a sex assault lawsuit to demand answers and fair compensation.
Non-economic losses include physical pain and suffering, fright and shock, psychological damage, and emotional harm. This includes compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other injuries caused by the assault. Many victims have permanent psychological damage from the trauma that affects their ability to return to normal life and maintain relationships like before the assault.
Uber and Lyft drivers are provided substantial insurance policies by the companies. A portion of their fees goes to the companies and includes money for liability insurance coverage. In addition, the companies have insurance and significant assets to pay for their share of liability in the case.
At Hach & Rose, LLP, our compassionate team of rideshare sexual assault attorneys wants you to know that you have every right to pursue legal action against your abuser and every single party that enabled your abuser’s heinous acts.