California Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit
If you or someone you know has been impacted by rideshare sexual assault and live in California, you deserve to understand your legal rights and options, including filing an Uber sexual assault lawsuit in California.
Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- If you experienced sexual assault in an Uber or Lyft in California, you have legal rights and options including reporting to law enforcement and filing or joining an existing civil lawsuit.
- The Uber Multi-District Litigation (Uber MDL) is currently being overseen in California by Judge Breyer – and over 3,000 sexual assault cases against Uber have been filed under the Uber MDL.
- Only an experienced lawyer can help you understand if you need to file under the Uber MDL or not – and we can put you in contact with an experienced attorney today.
We can connect you to a rideshare abuse law firm today.
As a result of survivors coming forward to allege sexual assault by Uber drivers or passengers, a panel of judges consolidated most federal cases against Uber into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) for pre-trial proceedings in 2023. As of August 2026, the MDL includes over 4,397 active cases.
The lawsuits against Uber allege that the company failed to implement safety measures or protections to prevent these sexual assaults from happening. Uber is also facing legal action from its own shareholders regarding alleged safety oversight failures.
Filing an Uber sexual assault lawsuit can help compensate you for your losses and encourage Uber and other rideshare companies to implement more robust safety mechanisms to protect others from this trauma. If a year or more has gone by after an assault, you may still have legal options, as certain circumstances can affect how long you have to file a claim. A lawyer can help determine the best path forward based on your situation.
Helping Survivors can connect you with a qualified attorney to help you with your California Uber sexual assault lawsuit.
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Do I Have A Case?
A survivor may be eligible to file a sexual assault claim against Uber if the case meets the following criteria:
- The assault happened during or immediately after an Uber ride.
- The perpetrator was an Uber driver or someone enabled through the Uber platform.
- You suffered physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
- The deadline imposed by your state’s statute of limitations has not yet expired.
Speak to a lawyer as soon as possible if you experienced any of the following in an Uber:
- Unwanted fondling or touching
- Attempted rape
- Rape
- Other non-consensual sexual acts, such as kissing or oral sex
- Stalking and/or harassment
Even if you believe the statute of limitations for your case may have expired, it’s crucial to speak with a lawyer to identify your options.
Helping Survivors connect victims with experienced attorneys at Milberg who take the time to understand each individual’s unique circumstances. The sexual abuse litigation team at Milberg works on a contingency basis, meaning they are paid only if they win your case.
Is Uber Liable in a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Uber provides its clientele with transportation, so it must ensure a reasonably safe environment. Uber has a legal duty to prevent sexual assault in its rides. The company should be held responsible when its rides cease to be safe.
In some cases, Uber can be held liable for sexual assault committed by one of its drivers. Prior victims of Uber sued the company for various reasons, including:
Not Vetting Drivers
The duty to provide rideshare passengers with a reasonably safe environment includes hiring drivers who don’t pose potential risks to customers. Uber and other rideshare companies must properly vet their drivers. If a driver has a prior criminal history of sexual assault or similar charges, they shouldn’t be transporting people in their vehicles.
Prior Uber sexual assault cases allege the company used inexpensive background services to vet drivers. The background checks proved ineffective and allowed 25 drivers to become Uber contractors despite having a criminal record.
Deceptive Marketing
Another potential claim a victim can have against Uber is deceptive marketing. Uber advertises itself as the safe alternative to driving when intoxicated. It also hails itself as a company focused on passenger safety. However, victims of Uber may feel otherwise.
Poor Monitoring and Oversight of Drivers
Some victims sue Uber because of poor monitoring of its drivers and trips. For instance, one passenger who was sexually assaulted claims the driver stopped the car midway through the journey. The lawsuit alleges Uber should have noticed something was awry with the trip and taken action.
Failing to Report Incidents to Police
One report based on interviews with over 20 Uber investigators in Arizona found that those who receive ride complaints aren’t allowed to notify law enforcement, even when the report alleges a felony. Similarly, Uber prohibits its investigators from telling victims to seek legal assistance. Investigators are instructed to put the company’s interests first.
How Uber Can Improve
In recent years, Uber has stepped up its safety initiatives. Users can choose to audio record their trips through the app. They can also connect to safety agents directly if they feel uncomfortable during their ride. Other features include a trusted contacts list, which allows passengers to share their trip data with family members or friends.
While Uber’s safety is improving, there are other things the company could do. It could make audio requirements mandatory for all trips and include video recording. Requiring regularly updated background checks could alert Uber to changes in its drivers’ criminal records. Meanwhile, monitoring trips for anomalies, such as unexpected lengthy stops, could catch instances of sexual assault.
Filing A California Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit
If you’re the victim of a California Uber sexual assault, you have legal rights and options to potentially file a sexual assault lawsuit. A qualified lawyer with experience handling Uber sexual assault cases is the best person to assist you.
What Evidence Do I Need for a Lawsuit Against Uber in California?
California’s Civil Code § 1714 assigns general liability to people or entities that fail to exercise reasonable care that results in injury to another person. It’s possible to bring a sexual assault case against Uber under this law.
To be successful, you must demonstrate that Uber violated its duty to care for you as its customer. If Uber didn’t take the appropriate actions to ensure it provided you with a safe driver, it may be liable in your case.
Some elements that can help you prove your case include:
- The driver has a criminal background with prior sexual assault charges
- A reasonable person could foresee the driver harming future passengers
- Uber knew of the danger
- The driver hurt the passenger
- Uber’s hiring practices were vital to the passenger’s injuries
What Are the Potential Damages of an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit in California?
If you win a case against Uber for sexual assault, you may be able to collect damages. Your compensation will vary according to the extent of your injuries and Uber’s negligence.
Potential damages you can collect include:
- Reimbursement for past and future medical expenses associated with the case
- Lost wages for time spent away from work
- Psychological counseling for trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Some victims may pursue punitive damages if the defendant’s actions were egregious.
There are multiple California sexual assault cases ongoing against Uber. In one, over 500 women are suing the company for their sexual assault experiences. While the case is still pending, the victims’ damages may reach millions if the court finds in their favor.
Hiring a California Uber Sexual Assault Attorney
Pursuing a lawsuit against Uber and the perpetrator can provide victims closure and financial compensation to help them through a traumatic experience.
If you’re considering a California Uber sexual assault lawsuit, contact Helping Survivors. Our team can connect you with our knowledgable, trauma-informed legal partners to build a strong case to bring the perpetrator and Uber to justice.
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