If you experienced sexual assault or attempted sexual assault involving unwanted sexual contact during an Uber or Lyft ride, you may have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit for accountability and compensation. We are helping survivors file rideshare sexual assault lawsuits nationwide.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have changed the way we travel, but they’ve also exposed passengers to preventable harm. Thousands of survivors have reported sexual assault by drivers across the United States, leading to ongoing lawsuits against Uber and Lyft for failing to keep riders safe.
Every form of sexual misconduct is severe and deserves to be acknowledged. The legal information on this page focuses specifically on survivors of sexual assault or attempted assault with physical contact, as these cases may qualify for civil legal action against the driver and potentially the rideshare company. If your experience involved verbal harassment without physical contact, different reporting and support options may be available.
The Carlson Law Firm is committed to supporting survivors with compassion, privacy, dignity, and a trauma-informed legal approach. You are not alone, and you do not have to navigate this process on your own.
Call 800-359-5690 for a free, confidential case review.
A rideshare sexual assault lawsuit is a civil case brought by a survivor who experienced sexual assault or attempted sexual assault while using a rideshare service. These cases aim to hold responsible parties accountable—whether that is the driver, Uber, Lyft, or others who contributed to the harm.
A civil case is separate from the criminal justice process. Criminal cases focus on punishment through the state’s legal system. A civil lawsuit is filed on behalf of the survivor to pursue financial compensation for the emotional, physical, and psychological harm caused by the assault.
Rideshare sexual assault survivors may pursue a lawsuit if the following were involved:
These lawsuits also address how Uber and Lyft contributed to the danger through negligent hiring, screening, safety practices and failure to remove reported drivers. You reach our rideshare sexual assault lawsuit team at 800-359-5690. We offer free consultations and represent clients nationwide.
Uber’s own published data indicates systemic safety issues. Thousands of reported sexual assaults have been documented, including the categories of non-consensual sexual touching, attempted penetration, and rape. These numbers only reflect reported cases. Unfortunately, many survivors never report the incident.
Reports of sexual assault connected to Uber rides have gained national attention. Uber’s own Safety Reports revealed thousands of assaults in recent years. For example, in its 2021-2022 report, the most recent report listed on its website, the company reported that there were 2,717 incidents of sexual assault and misconduct. Its own reporting underscores the company’s ongoing failure to protect riders.
Survivors and their attorneys have raised serious safety concerns, including:
Many lawsuits claim Uber prioritized growth over passenger safety for years, despite receiving repeated warnings and survivor reports. Survivors are coming forward to demand accountability. Our clients are seeking change for themselves and to protect future riders.
Lyft has also faced a growing number of lawsuits from survivors across the country who allege that the company failed to act on reports of sexual misconduct and assault by drivers. In several lawsuits, survivors state that Lyft continued to allow drivers accused of sexual assault to stay on the platform or failed to notify law enforcement or future passengers.
Many survivors describe reporting the assault to Lyft only to receive a generic response, limited support, or no follow-up. These failures have led to legal action seeking to hold Lyft accountable for negligent and unsafe business practices that put riders at risk.
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become a staple part of our vacations, a night on the town and, for some, getting to and from work. These services have completely changed how transportation works in cities. Ridesharing services allow users to hail a ride through an app, an added convenience for passengers in need of transportation. However, these services also present dangers for both riders and drivers. Passengers risk everything from car crashes and assaults to identity theft and rape.
Settlement posture.
Reports indicate ongoing settlement talks in Uber cases while lawyers prep more state-court trials; federal MDL continues under Judge Breyer.
MDL timing.
Guides updated this week reiterate first federal bellwether trials set to begin in December 2025 (schedule subject to court orders).
Criminal/civil cross-currents.
News highlighted recent criminal outcomes (e.g., a Texas conviction of an Uber driver) and a Texas DA dismissing charges in another case that still has a civil suit pending—illustrating the separate criminal vs. civil tracks survivors may face.
First trial verdict.
In a California state-court bellwether-type trial, the jury found Uber negligent but not liable (negligence not a substantial factor). This was the first U.S. verdict in this line of cases.
Order recap + schedule.
Update pieces summarized the July 8 trimming and noted federal bellwether trials approaching (December target discussed).
Lyft landscape.
Practitioner updates emphasized ongoing Lyft exposure and active plaintiff recruiting; litigation remains fragmented (no unified federal MDL like Uber).
Case volume update.
As of Sept. 2, Uber faced 2,583 federal lawsuits in the rideshare sexual-abuse litigation.
New filings continue.
Example: a Texas case filed Sept. 17 (Williamson County) alleged a March 2025 assault.
State-court pipeline.
Media tracked state-court suits parallel to the federal MDL (e.g., California filings/coverage).
Pressure & growth.
Advocacy reporting highlighted the scale of alleged assaults; meanwhile, ~70 new plaintiffs joined in August, bringing the federal count to 2,583 by Sept. 2
Partial dismissals on theories.
Judge Breyer issued a July 8 order trimming certain fraud and product-liability claims in 20 bellwethers while allowing core negligence theories to proceed.
MDL housekeeping.
At a July 28 CMC, the court extended deadlines on bellwether order/venue issues and set the next conference for late August.
Receipt fraud fight.
Uber told the court some plaintiffs submitted fake/altered ride receipts and sought clarifications/dismissals; the filing covered 100+ claimants.
Remand Push.
Uber asked the court to send bellwether cases back to their state courts based on Terms of Use/forum selection—plaintiffs opposed.
Bellwether slate picked.
The federal judge overseeing the Uber MDL selected six bellwether cases spanning allegations from unwanted touching to rape. Uber later argued about forum issues (see June).
Uber and Lyft built massive platforms that placed riders in cars with dangerous strangers. The companies did so without implementing adequate safety protections. Ways the company failed its customer base include the following:
Lack of Thorough Driver Screening
Both companies have faced criticism for relying on limited background checks, inconsistent re-screenings and failing to conduct in-person evaluations.
Ignoring Patterns of Complaints
Survivors report that after filing complaints, companies offered minimal support, failed to remove drivers, or took no further action.
Inadequate Safety Features
While panic buttons and verification options exist today, these features came years after early warnings and only after public pressure and litigation.
Prioritizing Growth Over Safety
Despite being aware of the risks, Uber and Lyft prioritized profits and rapid expansion over rider safety.
Survivors may have the right to pursue financial compensation through a civil lawsuit against the following:
A lawsuit can pursue compensation for:
Every survivor’s experience is unique, and a lawsuit is always a personal choice. The Carlson Law Firm offers confidential consultations, allowing survivors to understand their options without pressure or obligation. Schedule your free consultation at 800-359-5690.
Every survivor’s experience and damages are different, but a civil lawsuit may allow you to pursue financial compensation for the harm you’ve endured. Possible recoverable damages may include:
In some cases, survivors may also pursue punitive damages, which are intended to hold the company accountable for egregious safety failures. These are awarded more rarely and depend on the facts of the case.
A consultation can help you understand which damages may apply in your specific situation.
Yes. Survivors of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault involving unwanted physical contact during a rideshare trip may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the driver and, in some cases, Uber or Lyft for safety failures that contributed to the assault.
Survivors who experienced sexual assault or attempted sexual assault by a Lyft driver may pursue a lawsuit against the driver and potentially Lyft for negligent safety practices.
While you should report as soon as possible, reporting through the app is not required to explore legal options.
Not likely. Many civil cases resolve through confidential settlements. If your case does go to court, your legal team will prepare you and support you through every step, with your emotional well-being at the forefront.
Consultations with The Carlson Law Firm are free, and you’ll pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your case.
No. While reporting to law enforcement can support a case, it is not required in order to explore civil legal options. Many survivors choose not to report for personal, emotional, or safety reasons, and that choice will not disqualify you from speaking with an attorney.
You may still have time to take legal action. The deadline to file (statute of limitations) varies by state and by the survivor’s age at the time of the assault. It’s best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to understand your timeline.
Many lawsuits claim that rideshare companies failed to take meaningful action after reports—including not removing drivers with known complaints. A company’s failure to act can be a key factor in proving negligence.
No one asks to be assaulted. Whether you had alcohol, were impaired, or were unable to consent, the responsibility lies with the offender. Intoxication does not excuse or weaken a sexual assault claim.
These behaviors are warning signs often cited in assault claims. If coercion, confinement, or intimidation occurred, it may strengthen the civil case and increase potential damages.
Consultations are private and at no cost. If the firm takes your case, you pay nothing upfront and no fees unless compensation is recovered.
Yes. A trauma-informed attorney will listen at your pace. You do not need to recount the full experience or describe explicit details in order to learn about your options.
Only take the steps that feel safe and appropriate for you. Many survivors are overwhelmed after an assault, and your emotional well-being comes first. If you feel able, the following actions may support your healing and legal options:
You do not have to relive the event to seek legal guidance. We meet survivors where they are emotionally and provide support at a pace that feels safe.
If you experienced sexual assault or attempted sexual assault involving unwanted physical contact during an Uber or Lyft ride, you deserve support, justice, and accountability. Speaking with a trauma-informed attorney can help you understand your options and whether a lawsuit is right for you.
Schedule your free consultation today. We care. We can help.
With over a dozen locations throughout Texas, there’s a Carlson Law Firm near you. We have law offices located in Killeen, Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio, Boerne, Laredo, Bryan, Lubbock, Midland, and Corpus Christi.
