Fort Lauderdale Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
Reviewed By: Melissa Reitberg
Uber Sexual Assault Attorney
Key Takeaways
- Those who have been impacted by rideshare sexual assault by an Uber or Lyft driver have legal rights and options, including filing a sexual assault lawsuit against the company.
- An experienced Uber sexual assault lawyer in the Fort Lauderdale area can help you understand how you can seek help and healing from seeking medical attention to reporting to law enforcement.
- The Fort Lauderdale and Miami area can be a target for rideshare sexual assaults given the proximity to nightlife and the large suburban areas between large cities.
Fort Lauderdale Uber Sexual Assault Lawyers - Filing a Lawsuit in Florida
If you or someone you know has experienced any form of rideshare sexual assault in the Fort Lauderdale area, you deserve help, healing, and justice. An experienced Fort Lauderdale Uber/Lyft sexual assault attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options, including reporting the incident to the rideshare company, notifying law enforcement, and/or pursuing a civil lawsuit against Uber or Lyft for the harm you suffered.
Unfortunately, reports indicate that young women traveling to suburban areas who are asleep or under the influence of drugs or alcohol are targeted. Given Fort Lauderdale’s proximity to Miami and its nightlife, reports of rideshare sexual assault are often higher in this area than others given these risk factors.
Rideshare sexual assault can be an incredibly devastating and traumatizing experience for someone who was simply trying to get home or to their destination safely. You deserve to understand your rights and options, and an experienced lawyer can answer your questions today.
Examples of Uber/Lyft sexual assault
If you or someone you know experienced any of the following, there is help available:
- Rape
- Attempted rape
- Groping or fondling
- Masturbation or indecent exposure
- Sex trafficking
- Other non-consensual sexual acts, including forced kissing or oral sex
We’ve created a page to help individuals understand the steps to take immediately after a rideshare sexual assault, including seeking medical help.
Once you are physically safe, documenting everything you remember is an important step and storing any evidence such as the ride information. The next best step to take is speaking to an experienced and local Lyft/Uber sexual assault lawyer.
We work with experienced law firms around the nation, including Fort Lauderdale Uber sexual assault lawyers. Reach out to us today to understand your options.
How a Fort Lauderdale Uber/Lyft Sexual Assault Attorney Can Help You Today
An experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer in the Fort Lauderdale area can do much more than just filing a civil lawsuit against the rideshare company. They can also help provide comprehensive guidance on your rights and options, assist you in obtaining time off work, and share information regarding the process of reporting to law enforcement, including what information to share in this process.
While individuals cannot press criminal charges against someone, they have the right to file a report with law enforcement, who will then investigate and potentially pursue criminal charges against the perpetrator based on applicable laws.
In addition to assisting with reporting to the rideshare platform or police, a Fort Lauderdale rideshare sexual assault lawyer can help you determine if filing a civil claim against Uber or Lyft is the right course of action. They will explain the process and address any questions you may have.
A Fort Lauderdale Uber sexual assault attorney can help with:
- Collecting and documenting evidence related to the assault
- Initiating a sexual assault lawsuit against Uber or Lyft on your behalf
- Managing all communications with the company, their legal representatives, and the courts
- Assisting with the deposition process, which involves gathering testimony from you (and potentially others) regarding the incident
- Negotiating with company representatives to reach a potential settlement
- If feasible, filing the claim under seal or as a “Jane/John Doe” to safeguard your identity
- Representing you in all related court proceedings
While many law firms may claim to handle rideshare sexual assault cases, they might lack the specialized expertise and experience necessary for these sensitive situations. Some may view you and your trauma merely as a means to profit, rather than offering the expert, trauma-informed approach you deserve.
Helping Survivors only works with law firms who treat survivors of sexual abuse with the dignity and respect they deserve while ensuring they have the expertise necessary to help you get the financial compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing.
We can connect you to the leading rideshare abuse law firms.
We can connect you to a Fort Lauderdale area sexual assault lawyer if you were traveling in the following areas:
- Coconut Creek
- Cooper City
- Coral Springs
- Dania Beach
- Davie
- Deerfield Beach
- Hallandale Beach
- Hillsboro Beach
- Lauderhill
- Lighthouse Point
- Miami
- Margate
- Miramar
- Oakland Park
- Parkland
- Pembroke Park
- Pembroke Pines
- Plantation
- Pompano Beach
- Sea Ranch Lakes
- Southwest Ranches
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
- West Park
- Weston
- Any other cities or areas in Florida
A truly experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer will be able to understand the intricacies of these types of cases, including whether you need to file under the Uber Multi-District Litigation and how to negotiate with Uber or Lyft on a larger financial settlement.
Types of Claims in an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Individuals affected by a rideshare sexual assault deserve to focus on healing and moving forward. They may not consider filing a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft as part of their recovery process. When you speak with an experienced Uber sexual assault attorney, they will work with you to understand the incident and its impact on your life. They will then work with you to draft a complaint against the company, detailing specific claims and seeking appropriate damages.
An experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer can help seek damages for:
- Medical treatment (including hospital bills)
- Mental health counseling
- Lost work time and earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (damages designed to deter company from continuing to practices that cause harm)
Filing a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft can be relatively straightforward for survivors — if they are working with an experienced lawyer. However, the process may be prolonged if the firm lacks familiarity with the necessary procedures or negotiation tactics. There is no set timeline or guaranteed settlement amount for a rideshare sexual assault case, but an experienced lawyer can assess your specific situation and provide estimates.
In filing a lawsuit against the rideshare company, a Fort Lauderdale area Uber sexual assault lawyer will typically cite the following negligence on the company’s part within the claim:
- Lack of monitoring or oversight of drivers
- Poor hiring and vetting of drivers
- Deceptive marketing
Helping Survivors can put you in touch with an experienced firm who have represented many survivors of rideshare sexual assault around the nation.
We can connect you to the leading rideshare abuse law firms.
Fort Lauderdale Uber Sexual Assaults in the News
Is Uber safe in Fort Lauderdale?
Unfortunately, the Fort Lauderdale area is a hot spot for rideshare sexual assaults.
This is likely due to a variety of reasons — the proximity of Fort Lauderdale to Miami and other popular cities in Florida, its surrounding suburban areas where many passengers are going late at night, and the nightlife within the city and surrounding areas.
Dozens of brave individuals who have experienced rideshare sexual assault have already come forward to help stop and prevent future harm. Whether they file a police report, file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft, or speak to the media about what happened — every survivor who seeks help for themselves helps others.
Claudel Lesperance accused of sexually assaulting woman in Miami Beach while posing as rideshare driver
In May 2024, Claudel Lesperance was charged with sexual battery and kidnapping after he sexually assaulted an allegedly intoxicated woman in Miami Beach while pretending to be a rideshare driver in February 2024. He was arrested after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. As of the time of writing, Lesperance remains in custody without bond.
Danny Estalin Maurad-Avecillas Rideshare Driver Arrested, Police Seek Victims Across South Florida
In February 2024, Danny Estalin Maurad-Avecillas was arrested in South Florida for fraud and is suspected of more serious crimes. Initially charged with fraudulent use of a credit card and fraudulent possession of identification, he is also believed to have targeted women, lured them into his SUV, intoxicated, robbed, and possibly sexually assaulted them. Miami Police urge potential victims to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Fort Lauderdale Man, Shapsly Silencieux, Accused of Posing as Uber Driver, Sexually Battering Woman
In May 2021, Shapsly Silencieux, was arrested after posing as an Uber driver and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman visiting from Alabama. The incident occurred after the woman mistakenly got into Silencieux’s car outside a nightclub. Silencieux drove her to his apartment and then assaulted her. The victim managed to get his license plate number, leading to his arrest. Silencieux, who is an actual Uber driver but not for this trip, faced criminal charges.
Alleged Fake Uber driver, Yadir Alejandro Gongora, picks up women from Wynwood club, robs 1, sexually batters the other
In October 2023, two women leaving a nightclub in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood believed they were entering an Uber around 3am after leaving a nightclub. During the ride, one of the woman robbed and the other was about to be sexually assaulted by the man they mistakenly thought was a legitimate rideshare driver. Authorities report that the man was actually a 39-year-old from northwest Miami-Dade who had been released on bond for a strong-armed robbery charge less than two weeks earlier.
Many news reports about rideshare sexual assaults in the Fort Lauderdale area share three common themes: the victims are primarily young women, they are often intoxicated or asleep during the ride, and the incidents occur late at night (between 12am and 4am). This underscores the harsh reality that, despite trying to be responsible by using rideshare services, women face traumatic experiences
Helping Survivors is here to support all victims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. We can connect you with an experienced and trusted Fort Lauderdale Uber sexual assault lawyer who can fight for your rights and help you seek healing and justice.
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