EspañolRideshare companies Uber and Lyft were hit especially hard by pandemic lockdowns in 2020. People around the world were either coaxed or forcibly coerced to limit their travel and remain home. Despite all of that, some people still were able to travel with Uber. Unfortunately, many of those trips resulted in sexual assaults.
According to a new safety report released by Uber in 2022, the company recorded 998 instances of sexual assault and 141 instances of rape between 2019 and 2020. In all, there were 3,824 reports of the five most severe categories of sexual assault ranging from “non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part” all the way to “non-consensual sexual penetration.”
These numbers are notably down from the safety report it released several years ago. From 2017-2018 Uber reported 5,981instances of sexual assault. The change downward is partly due to safety measures the company has taken in light of numerous lawsuits.
Uber is currently facing over 400 lawsuits regarding sexual assault from just one law firm in a San Francisco County Superior court, according to CBS news. One of the new safety measures includes continuous background checks on all drivers.
According to Uber, the new background system has led to more than 80,000 drivers being removed from its platform. Critics of Uber’s safety measures are saying that the company still has not done enough to help keep riders safe.
A new lawsuit against Uber says that the company broke federal law by providing ‘as little information as possible’ to the courts and police. A woman was allegedly fired by Uber after raising concerns about the company’s response to official court orders, warrants, and subpoenas.
Liability For Uber Sexual Assault Claims
Rideshare companies like Uber have a legal responsibility to provide their riders with a reasonably safe environment and could be liable if a passenger is sexually assaulted. They must screen out driver’s that could pose a reasonably forseeable risk to passengers. But Uber has not always done that. Instead, they have relied on third party background checks that have let a number of criminals onto their platform. One report from CNN found that thousands of people with felony records were still driving for Uber. At the end of the day, Uber can be liable for the negligent hiring and retention of its drivers.
Getting Legal Help After Being Sexually Assaulted In An Uber
The Carrillo Law Firm is committed to standing up for sexual assault victims and helping their voices be heard. We understand how difficult and traumatic it can be to push forward after any sexual assault. This is why we fight so hard on behalf of our clients. We will stop at nothing to advocate on your behalf and get you the fair and just outcome that you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a sexual assault while in an Uber, you do have the right to seek restitution for your injuries. Sexual assaults are no small matter and can leave victims with serious and long-term negative health outcomes. Damages in a civil claim can help with lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Whether you just have legal questions or would like a free, confidential investigation into a specific incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 646-799-9375.
