A bellwether trial in federal court is examining whether Uber failed to implement safety measures quickly enough following allegations by Jaylynn Dean that she was raped by her Uber driver in Arizona in 2023 after ordering a ride to her hotel.
Her lawsuit is one of thousands consolidated in national multidistrict litigation accusing the rideshare company of placing growth ahead of passenger safety. A senior Uber executive testified this week that the company still has more work to do to protect riders from sexual assault. The case centers on three legal theories:
- Whether Uber acted negligently in protecting passengers
- Whether the Uber app was defectively designed because key safety tools were missing
- Whether Uber can be held responsible for drivers who appear to be acting as company representatives
During the 14th day of the trial, Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal told jurors that safety became a top priority after new leadership took over in 2017, but he acknowledged the company’s efforts have fallen short.
“I first want to say we have not done enough,” Kansal said. “There’s a lot more that we have to do. There were big gaps in terms of what features we should have.”
What the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit Trial is Examining
With close to 50% of riders being women but only 15-20% of drivers being women, Kansal said there was a supply concern. Plaintiffs in the case argue that Uber delayed rolling out tools that could have reduced assaults, including:
- Wider use of in-app audio recording
- Dashboard or in-vehicle camera options
- A “women-preferred” matching feature to allow female riders to request female drivers
- Screening and monitoring systems designed to flag high-risk rides
Internal company emails were shown in court that suggested Uber considered launching some of these features years earlier but hesitate because of legal and logistical concerns.
Attorneys for Dean questioned why the women-preferred program did not begin development until 2024 despite company documents from 2018 indicating enough female drivers were available to support it.
Uber maintains that it has introduced numerous industry-first safety tools and denies “dragging its feet.” The company has asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing the evidence does not support product liability.
A Growing National Conversation About Rideshare Safety
The trial highlights a broader issue affecting communities across Texas, including Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Temple and Waco, where rideshare services are part of everyday life. Many passengers assume a ride ordered through an app is automatically safe, but legal advocates say the reality is more complicated.
Survivors who come forward often face confusion over who is responsible and what options exist beyond the criminal process. Civil cases focus on whether safety systems, background checks and response policies were strong enough to prevent harm.
What Survivors Can Do After a Rideshare Assault
If an assault occurs during a rideshare trip, there are several immediate steps recommended by attorneys who work with survivors:
- Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if there are no visible injuries, a medical exam creates important documentation and protects your health.
- Report the incident to law enforcement and request a copy of the report.
- Preserve related evidence, including ride receipts, screenshots, phone records, driver information and clothing.
- Avoid communicating directly with the company or driver before speaking with an attorney.
- Reach out for support. Local crisis centers and counselors can provide help with next steps at your own pace.
It is important to note that you are not alone, and no one should feel pressured to go through it without support.
New Details from Closing Arguments
During closing statements, attorneys debated whether the risk to Dean was foreseeable and whether Uber had a duty to warn passengers about known dangers. Plaintiff counsel argued that Uber understood higher risks for solo, intoxicated women on late-night trips but continued to market the platform as a safe option without meaningful warnings.
Jurors were also informed about Uber’s internal AI system, the Safety Risk Assessed Dispatch (S-RAD), which assigns risk scores to rides. According to testimony, the driver involved had a higher-than-average score that made him a poor match for an intoxicated solo female passenger, yet the trip was dispatched without any alert to the rider.
Keeping Companies Accountable
Two things that rideshare companies market are security and convenience. When safety features are delayed or warnings are unclear, passengers are the ones who pay the price. Civil litigation is one way for survivors to seek accountability and push corporations to adopt stronger protections for the public.
The Dean trial is expected to conclude this week, but the outcome will likely inform how future cases are handled nationwide. Deliberations began on Tuesday, with another federal test trial already scheduled for April.
Help is Available
The Carlson Law Firm has represented survivors of rideshare sexual assault and personal injury throughout Texas. Our team can explain your legal options with compassion and discretion. We can answer questions about the legal process and help you understand the next steps.
If you or someone you love was harmed during a rideshare trip, we can help. Our attorneys care about you and your case, so contact The Carlson Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.
