Washington State Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer

In recent years, thousands of survivors of sexual assault by Lyft drivers and passengers across the country have filed lawsuits seeking to hold the rideshare company accountable. In Washington state, survivors of Lyft sexual assault may have civil legal options against both the assailant and Lyft, depending on the circumstances of their case. Helping Survivors can get you in touch with a Washington Lyft sexual assault lawyer to further understand your legal rights and options.

Key Takeaways
  • Across the country, thousands of people have taken legal action for recent sexual assaults by Lyft drivers in an attempt to hold Lyft accountable for failing to protect them.
  • In Washington state, you may be eligible to file a Lyft sexual assault lawsuit if you experienced any form of sexual assault by a driver during a Lyft ride, or if you are a Lyft driver and experienced assault by a passenger during a ride.
  • Helping Survivors can help you connect with our experienced legal partners at Milberg to handle your case.

How a Washington State Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help You

When you work with an experienced Washington state Lyft sexual assault attorney, they will evaluate your case to devise the best legal strategy and identify all potentially liable parties. Then, they’ll build your case to prove that Lyft is responsible for your assault. They’ll investigate and gather evidence, such as driver background check records, witness statements, medical records, ride logs, dashcam or surveillance footage, written communications with the driver, and more.

Once the evidence is collected, your attorney will file a lawsuit against Lyft and work to prove that the company was negligent and that the negligence caused or contributed to the sexual assault you experienced.

A skilled sexual assault lawyer can negotiate with Lyft’s legal team to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, they will file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

How To Choose the Right Washington Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer

When choosing a Lyft sexual assault lawyer to represent you and litigate your case in Washington state, it’s important to choose an attorney with experience, knowledge, compassion, and a track record of success in similar cases.

Look for the following traits when choosing an attorney:

  • Experience with Lyft Sexual Assault Cases: It’s crucial to choose a lawyer with specific experience in handling rideshare sexual assault cases.
  • Knowledge of Washington State Law: Look for a Washington state attorney who is familiar with the state’s civil procedure, survivor rights, and regulations.
  • Compassionate Legal Support: As a survivor of sexual assault, it’s important to choose a compassionate lawyer with a trauma-informed and confidential approach.
  • Track Record of Success: Ensure your lawyer has a proven track record in handling sexual assault cases and winning compensation.
  • Free Consultation and Contingency Fee Structure: In rideshare sexual assault cases, our legal partners at Milberg offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you won’t pay any costs up front.

At Helping Survivors, we are committed to helping survivors of sexual assault hold the responsible parties accountable. We’re ready to connect you with experienced Washington Lyft sexual assault attorneys at Milberg, our partner law firm.

Legal Rights for Survivors of Lyft Sexual Assault in Washington State

Survivors of sexual assault by Lyft drivers in Washington may have legal recourse through multiple avenues, including civil lawsuits and criminal charges.

Criminal Charges

While reporting Lyft sexual assault assault to law enforcement is not required to pursue a civil case, it can be a good first step for investigations. When the authorities receive a report, they may initiate an investigation that may result in criminal charges against the assailant.

In Washington state, there is no deadline for prosecutors to file charges for sex crimes involving minors. For first and second-degree rape of an adult, prosecutors have 20 years from the date of the crime to file charges. For third-degree rape, the time limit is 10 years.

Civil Lawsuits

Unlike criminal charges, civil lawsuits allow survivors to seek accountability from the individual perpetrator and any parties that enabled the assault. Responsible parties may include the rideshare company. Thus, survivors can file civil lawsuits against both the driver and Lyft.

Adult victims of sexual assault have three years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit in Washington state. Meanwhile, victims who were minors at the time of the assault have unlimited time to file a lawsuit if the incident occurred after June 6, 2024. Otherwise, they have until their 21st birthday or three years from discovering the harm caused by the abuse to file.

What Damages Can One Recover from a Lyft Sexual Assault Claim in Washington State?

In a Washington state Lyft sexual assault lawsuit, survivors may pursue compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and other damages. Every case is unique, so there’s no set amount of compensation a victim can receive.

Over nearly 60 years, our legal partners at Milberg have recovered more than $50 billion for clients, holding institutions and corporations accountable across complex, high-stakes cases.

Steps to Take After Experiencing Sexual Assault in a Lyft in Washington

  • Immediate Actions: Immediately after experiencing sexual assault in a Lyft, call 911 and seek medical attention. Once you are safe and have received medical treatment, report the assault to Lyft and consider filing a police report.
  • Document the Incident: Keep detailed records of the Lyft ride during which the assault occurred, as well as your interactions with the driver and with Lyft’s safety team.
  • Consult a Lawyer: Contact Helping Survivors today. We can connect you with a Washington Lyft sexual assault lawyer who can protect your rights and begin the legal process. Our partners at Milberg have decades of experience holding powerful companies & institutions liable, and every step in their process is guided with compassion, confidentiality, and experience.

Want To Speak With A Lawyer?

Understand your legal rights and options as a survivor of sexual assault or abuse.
Lady of justice statute on desk with woman typing on a laptop
helping survivors badge