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

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

Sexual assault during a rideshare trip is a traumatic experience that can leave victims in shock, unsure of what to do next. Millions of people trust daily transportation services like Uber and Lyft, but incidents of assault involving drivers are not uncommon. Victims often experience fear, confusion, and hesitation about reporting the event or pursuing legal action.

This guide provides practical steps for what to do if you were sexually assaulted while using Uber or Lyft, including how to report it, how to protect your rights, and when legal action may be appropriate. Knowing what to do—and what not to do—can help protect your safety, preserve evidence, and support any future claim for justice.

Five Immediate Steps After an Assault During a Rideshare Trip

The minutes and hours after an assault may feel disorienting. Survivors are often unsure whether to report the incident, how to seek help, or where to go. However, early actions can make a difference in both personal safety and legal outcomes.

1. Prioritize Personal Safety
   If you are in immediate danger or the driver hasn't left yet, call 911. Your safety is the priority. Try to find a well-lit, public place or ask for help from nearby people. Once secure, do not return to the vehicle or engage with the driver.
2. Seek Medical Attention Promptly
   Go to an emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as possible. Even if there are no visible injuries, medical professionals can assess internal injuries, test for infections, and preserve forensic evidence. If a sexual assault forensic exam (also known as a rape kit) is conducted, it may support any legal or civil claim that follows.
3. Preserve Clothing and Personal Items
   Keep the clothing worn at the time of the assault unwashed and sealed in a bag. Avoid showering, changing, or discarding personal belongings before being medically evaluated. These items may contain time-sensitive and legally relevant physical evidence.
4. Contact Someone You Trust
   Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or support organization. Isolation often increases emotional distress. Having someone present can also assist with transportation, communication, and safety.
5. Avoid Altering the Ride Record
   Do not delete or modify anything in your Uber or Lyft account. Keep your trip details, communication logs, and receipts exactly as they are. These digital records often play a key role in showing the interaction's time, location, and nature.

How to Report a Rideshare Assault to Authorities

Reporting the incident is an important step that helps establish accountability and creates a legal record. There are multiple avenues for reporting, and each serves a different purpose.

File a Police Report

Report the incident to your local police department when you are safe and secure. This applies regardless of whether the assault occurred locally or while traveling. Most jurisdictions allow reports to be filed in person, by phone, or online. Provide details such as the driver’s name, trip route, vehicle description, and any communication before or after the ride.

Police may open a criminal investigation depending on the available evidence. A formal report establishes a documented timeline and may strengthen future legal claims.

Report within the Rideshare App

Uber and Lyft both have in-app tools for reporting safety issues. These are accessible by viewing your trip history, selecting the relevant ride, and choosing an option such as “Report an Issue” or “Safety Concern.” You may be prompted to describe the incident in writing.

While these reports are necessary for alerting the company, they are not a substitute for a police report or a legal complaint. Rideshare companies may suspend or deactivate a driver during their internal review, but they are not obligated to disclose what action they take.

What to Expect After Reporting

After submitting a police report, an investigator may contact you for a follow-up interview. This process may involve collecting additional evidence, identifying witnesses, and collaborating with prosecutors to determine the appropriate criminal charges.

Uber and Lyft safety teams may also reach out for clarification. Their communications may be limited and focused mainly on policy compliance. Do not rely on either company to represent your interests. Their investigations are internal and not subject to public transparency standards.

Preserving Evidence and Documenting the Incident

Documentation serves two purposes: it helps law enforcement build a criminal case and allows a law firm to prepare a civil lawsuit. Additionally, it enables victims to recall vital details that may fade over time. Accuracy matters. Even if the case does not proceed immediately, preserved evidence can remain relevant later.

What to Save and Record

• Screenshots of the ride summary, including driver name, vehicle information, and timestamps
• In-app messages between the driver and passenger
• Emails or automated messages sent by the company after the ride
• Photographs of any physical injuries or damage to belongings
• Medical records from any hospital or urgent care visit
• A written or voice-recorded personal account of the event

Include as much detail as possible: what happened, what was said, where you were, how the driver responded, and what steps you took after the ride ended.

Avoid Public Sharing
Posting about the incident on social media may feel cathartic, but could also complicate legal matters. Opposing parties or insurance carriers may review public statements for inconsistencies or to question credibility. Share information only with trusted individuals and legal counsel.

Preserve Phone Location and App Data
If enabled, your phone’s GPS may show travel history during the ride. Location data can be used to corroborate time, distance, and stops made during the trip. Avoid deleting app history or reinstalling the rideshare app until your attorney has reviewed the data.

When Legal Action May Be Appropriate

Sexual assault is not only a criminal offense—it may also justify a civil lawsuit. Survivors may pursue legal action against the driver, the rideshare company, or both, depending on the facts of the case.

Possible Legal Claims

• Battery or sexual assault. Civil claims can be filed against the individual who committed the assault.
• Negligent hiring or supervision. Uber or Lyft may be liable if they failed to screen the driver properly or ignored prior complaints.
• Corporate negligence. Claims may be brought against the company for policies contributing to the incident.
• Emotional distress and financial damages. Victims may be entitled to compensation for mental health treatment, lost income, and trauma-related effects.

Time limits for filing vary by state and may differ for civil versus criminal matters. In some jurisdictions, extended timeframes apply when the victim was incapacitated or when the abuse was concealed. An attorney can clarify how these rules apply based on your location and the circumstances of the assault.

Legal claims may proceed independently of any criminal case. Even if prosecutors decline to file charges, a civil lawsuit may still proceed. The standard of proof in civil court is lower, and victims may be able to recover compensation through settlement or trial.

What Compensation May Cover in Uber and Lyft Assault Cases

Civil lawsuits are not only a means to hold wrongdoers accountable—they also help survivors recover from the personal and financial impact of an assault. Compensation in rideshare assault cases may be available through a settlement or court award, depending on the facts and parties involved.

• Medical Expenses. This may include emergency care, follow-up visits, tests for sexually transmitted infections, and treatment for injuries sustained during the assault.
• Mental Health Treatment. Survivors often require counseling, therapy, or psychiatric care to process trauma. These costs may be included in the claim, along with anticipated future treatment.
• Lost Wages. Time away from work due to physical injuries, psychological distress, or involvement in the legal process can result in financial strain. Compensation may reflect these lost earnings.
• Emotional Distress and Pain. This category addresses psychological harm caused by the assault. It may include anxiety, fear, insomnia, and other trauma-related symptoms.
• Relocation or Security Costs. Some survivors feel unsafe returning home or using rideshare services again. Claims may include the cost of alternative transportation or moving expenses if needed.
• Punitive Damages. Courts may award punitive damages to discourage future misconduct in some instances involving egregious misconduct or corporate negligence.

Each case is evaluated individually. Uber and Lyft sexual assault lawyers consult with medical professionals and economists to calculate fair compensation based on the assault's short—and long-term impact.

How an Attorney Can Help After a Rideshare Assault

Legal action following a rideshare assault involves more than submitting a complaint. A qualified attorney performs several key roles that protect the survivor’s rights and ensure the strongest possible case is presented.

Evidence Collection and Preservation
Attorneys can issue legal requests to Uber or Lyft for internal records, complaint histories, and driver profiles. This information may not be accessible to the public or even the survivor. Rideshare sexual assault attorneys also coordinate with investigators, witnesses, and healthcare providers to build a factual timeline.

Privacy and Communication Management
Survivors often prefer not to speak directly with corporate representatives, law enforcement, or insurance adjusters. An attorney handles these communications and ensures that nothing is disclosed that could harm the claim.

Filing Deadlines and Legal Procedures
Missing a deadline can prevent a claim from proceeding. Attorneys manage all procedural steps, from filing the complaint to preparing court documents and responding to motions.

Settlement Negotiation
Knowledgeable sexual assault attorneys assess the strength of the case and negotiate directly with opposing counsel. They aim to secure compensation reflecting the full scope of harm, including any long-term effects.

Trial Representation
Your attorney can prepare for trial if an insurance company does not offer a fair settlement. This includes preparing witnesses, presenting evidence, and making arguments before a judge or jury.

Legal consultation is often free in these matters. Most rideshare sex assault attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning no payment is required unless a financial recovery is achieved.

Uber and Lyft’s Liability and Legal History

Both Uber and Lyft have publicly acknowledged the existence of sexual assaults involving their drivers. They publish annual safety reports and have implemented in-app safety features. However, these measures have not prevented lawsuits.

Driver Classification and Corporate Defense
One common legal barrier involves classifying drivers as independent contractors. Uber and Lyft use this model to limit their liability. Courts in various jurisdictions have ruled differently on whether this model absolves them of responsibility in assault cases.

Negligent Hiring and Retention
In lawsuits where rideshare companies failed to act on prior complaints or hired drivers with known histories of misconduct, courts have allowed claims to proceed on grounds of negligence. A pattern of inaction can support claims that go beyond the individual driver.

Settlements and Class Actions
While details are often confidential, Uber and Lyft have settled multiple claims brought by sexual assault survivors. Class action lawsuits have also been filed alleging corporate indifference to user safety and failure to adopt meaningful prevention strategies.

Attorneys review whether similar legal grounds apply to individual cases. Past corporate conduct, known risks, and policy decisions may all play a role in determining liability.

Emotional Support and Advocacy Resources

Legal action addresses accountability and compensation, but emotional recovery requires different support. Survivors often benefit from trauma-informed care and community advocacy.

National Support Hotlines

• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673
• VictimConnect Resource Center: 1-855-484-2846

Counseling and Mental Health Providers
Many states offer free or subsidized mental health services for victims of crime. Therapists trained in trauma and post-assault care can help survivors regain a sense of control and safety.

Legal and Community Advocacy Groups
Organizations like the National Crime Victim Law Institute and local victim assistance programs offer case support, referrals, and courtroom advocacy. These resources help survivors make informed choices and stay engaged throughout the process.

Local Crisis Centers
County and city programs often provide in-person services such as crisis counseling, shelter assistance, or accompaniment to legal proceedings.

Contact a Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer for Help

Sexual assault during a rideshare trip is a profoundly personal and life-altering event. The path forward may seem uncertain, but survivors are not alone. Taking immediate action—securing medical care, reporting the assault, and preserving evidence—can help protect your health and create a foundation for a legal recovery.

If you or someone you care about was assaulted during an Uber or Lyft ride, legal help is available. The experienced sexual assault lawyers at File Abuse Lawsuit work with survivors to hold rideshare companies and drivers accountable for misconduct. Every case is handled with privacy, care, and commitment to justice.

Call (209) 283-2205 or submit a confidential request online to schedule a free case evaluation. We are here to listen, explain your legal options, and help you determine the next step.