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Uber recently disclosed, as part of its long-awaited study, that 3,000 sexual assaults were reported in its U.S. rides last year. This study was published on Thursday, December 5th amid widespread and ongoing criticism of its safety practices and pressure to increase its transparency about the issue. It is the first time Uber has revealed the scale of the safety problem that exists at ride-hailing companies.
If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted in a ride-share, such as Uber or Lyft, you should immediately consult with a Los Angeles rideshare sexual assault attorney to protect your legal rights. You may be entitled to monetary compensation.
The Shocking Statistics
Uber’s lengthy safety study report divides sexual misconduct into 21 categories, but focuses on the five most serious. The report disclosed that 325 rapes were reported last year, with thousands more reports of assault that could involve unwanted touching, kissing or attempted rape. The reports involved drivers and passengers. Uber tallied approximately 6,000 reports of those types of assault in 2017 and 2018.
This report helps demonstrate the difficulty in policing what happens during the millions of rides booked on Uber’s app each year. According to experts, sexual assault is chronically underreported issue, and the figures were likely to undercount the true prevalence of sexual offenses on rides booked through rideshare apps in general.
Uber’s safety report also reveals that drivers are victims, too. Drivers reported instances of sexual assault at the same rate as riders across the five most serious categories it recorded. The figures for drivers were reflective of the most dangerous work environment that all drivers with passengers, including taxis, operate within.
Liability in Uber Sexual Assault Cases
Sexual assault cases by Uber drivers can be complicated. It is important to immediately speak with a Los Angeles Uber sexual assault attorney to investigate the case to determine liability and help protect your legal rights. Although the driver likely caused your injuries, it is important for your attorney to immediately gain access to Uber’s records of the driver’s history, since the driver may have a history of sexual assault.
California’s statute of limitations for filing a regular sexual assault case is seven years. This means victims need to report sexual assault with seven years of its occurrence. However, if the assault is considered aggravated rape – rape including the use of a weapon – there is no statute of limitations.
Contact Our Uber Sexual Assault Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual assault while in an Uber, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Whether you believe your sexual assault was partially due to Uber’s negligence or resulted from the driver’s behavior alone, you should immediately contact an attorney. For more information or to consult with an experienced LA Uber sexual assault attorney, please call The Carrillo Law Firm at 626-799-9375.
