PA Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer
While ridesharing apps like Lyft typically provide a helpful service, some drivers use their position to take advantage of vulnerable passengers. In recent years, thousands of people have reported experiencing sexual assault by Lyft drivers, including groping, non-consensual kissing, sexual assault, and rape.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- Over the last several years, thousands of people have reported sexual assault by Lyft drivers, and many survivors are now taking legal action against Lyft for failing to protect them from predatory drivers.
- You may be eligible to file a Lyft sexual assault lawsuit in Pennsylvania if you experienced any form of sexual assault by a driver during a Lyft ride.
- If you have experienced rideshare sexual assault, Helping Survivors can help provide resources, support, and legal connections with experienced sexual assault attorneys to handle your case.
Sexual Assault Allegations Against Lyft Drivers
Lyft sexual assault has been an ongoing issue in Pennsylvania. In one case, a Lyft driver was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a passenger in Plymouth Township in August 2024. The Pennsylvania State Police indicated that there might be additional victims, since the driver had given multiple rides for Uber and Lyft in the area over the last few months, and encouraged others to come forward.
In another recent local case, a woman alleged sexual assault by an unauthorized driver who had accessed the rideshare platform using another driver’s credentials. The court allowed the victim to proceed with negligence claims against Lyft.
Between 2017 and 2019, Lyft’s safety report found that more than 4,000 sexual assaults occurred nationwide, with a 65% increase in assaults from 2017 to 2019. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual misconduct by a Lyft driver, you are not alone, and you deserve justice.
- Sexual Assault Allegations Against Lyft Drivers
- How a Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help You
- Legal Options for Victims of Sexual Assault in Pennsylvania
- How to Choose the Right Sexual Assault Lawyer in Pennsylvania
- Consult a Rideshare Sexual Assault Attorney in Pennsylvania
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
How a Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help You
After experiencing a sexual assault, survivors need help and support to heal and hold the responsible parties accountable. An experienced attorney can assist you by investigating your case, gathering evidence, and representing you in court to pursue compensation and accountability.
Investigating the Incident and Gathering Critical Evidence
An experienced rideshare sexual assault attorney will begin building your case by gathering evidence, including driver background checks, witness statements, medical records, ride logs, dashcam or surveillance footage, written communications with the driver, and more.
Handling Negotiations and Litigation
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 litigate your case in court, which might culminate in a jury trial, if necessary.
Pursuing Legal Action for Compensation
In a Pennsylvania Lyft sexual assault lawsuit, survivors may pursue compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and other damages.
Every case is unique, so there’s no set amount of compensation a victim can receive. However, your attorney should negotiate to secure the highest possible settlement, considering both the immediate and long-term impacts of the assault. At Helping Survivors, we can connect you to an experienced Pennsylvania sexual assault attorney to advocate for you.
Legal Options for Victims of Sexual Assault in Pennsylvania
Victims of sexual assault by Lyft drivers in Pennsylvania may have legal recourse through both civil lawsuits and criminal charges. Prosecutors file criminal charges. While a criminal investigation will likely result if you report the assault to the police, you have little control over the process. In addition, criminal charges are only brought against the assailant. They will not hold Lyft accountable for the assault.
Lyft sexual assault lawsuits differ from criminal charges. You may be able to hold Lyft vicariously liable for its drivers’ actions, or you could claim that the company negligently failed to screen its drivers and respond to complaints.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
Survivors can file civil lawsuits against both the Lyft driver and the company. They can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
While reporting the assault to law enforcement is not required to pursue a civil case, it can be a good first step for investigations. It will create a valuable paper trail documenting the assault, and it may also encourage other victims to come forward.
How to Choose the Right Sexual Assault Lawyer in Pennsylvania
Finding an attorney who specializes in helping rideshare sexual assault survivors seek justice is critically important to a successful case. At Helping Survivors, we can put you in touch with a leading Pennsylvania law firm to help you file a complaint and litigate your case against Lyft and the driver who assaulted you.
Experience with Lyft Sexual Assault Cases
When taking legal action after a Lyft sexual assault, choosing a lawyer who specializes in sexual assault cases, particularly those involving rideshare companies like Lyft, is critical. The complexity of these cases requires legal professionals with experience in both criminal and civil law, and ideally, a background in representing sexual assault survivors.
Knowledge of Pennsylvania State Law
Survivors should also look for a Pennsylvania lawyer with deep experience in sexual assault litigation, since the liability laws and the statutes of limitations vary by state. In Pennsylvania, the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault involving adult victims is two years, while prosecutors generally have 12 years to file criminal charges.
A Pennsylvania lawyer will also have the local legal connections and resources necessary to advocate for your best interests effectively.
Track Record of Successful Outcomes
Finally, search for an attorney or law firm that has obtained favorable outcomes in similar cases. A history of successful settlements, verdicts, or successful mediation in rideshare assault cases will build trust and credibility. At Helping Survivors, we partner with Lyft sexual assault lawyers nationwide who have a track record of success in these cases.
Consult a Rideshare Sexual Assault Attorney in Pennsylvania
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault by a Lyft driver in Pennsylvania, you have legal rights and options for holding the responsible parties accountable. After an assault, it’s important to act quickly, since Pennsylvania only gives survivors two years to file lawsuits after the assault occurs. If you don’t know where to start, the best first step is consulting an experienced rideshare sexual assault attorney in your area.
At Helping Survivors, our mission is to help heal, educate, and empower people impacted by sexual assault and abuse. We do this by informing individuals of their rights, providing resources and support, and connecting them with our partner law firms. These firms have years of experience handling sexual assault cases and can work with you to file a civil lawsuit against the individuals and organizations who perpetrated and enabled the assault.
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