Uber Driver Assaulted By Passenger
While physical and sexual assaults on Uber passengers frequently make headlines, assaults on rideshare drivers by passengers are also far more common than many people realize. Drivers often work alone, late at night, and in unfamiliar areas, creating conditions where some passengers may behave violently or inappropriately. Many Uber drivers—especially females—have been assaulted by passengers or third parties while working.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
Reviewed By: Melissa Reitberg
Uber Sexual Assault Attorney
Understanding Assaults on Rideshare Drivers
Both riders and drivers report physical and sexual assault incidents on the Uber platform, and thousands of these assaults occur annually. Many more are likely unreported due to fear, stigma, or mistrust of the system. Unlike traditional taxi services, Uber drivers operate without partitions or the ability to reject passengers based on safety concerns. Many drivers also work late at night, in isolated areas, and with intoxicated passengers.
According to Uber’s U.S. Safety Report for 2021 and 2022, out of 1.8 billion trips, 0.0002% involved a “critical safety incident.” While that number may seem small, it represents more than 360,000 trips with severe safety issues. Between 2021 and 2022, Uber reported 36 physical assault fatalities, 61% of which were drivers. The rideshare giant also reported 2,717 incidents of the most serious categories of sexual assault and misconduct. In the same timeframe, nearly a third of reported sexual assault incidents involved passengers as perpetrators.
Common Types of Assault Reported by Uber Drivers
In addition to physical and sexual assault, Uber drivers are also frequent victims of other violent crimes, including threats with weapons, robberies, and carjackings. Assaults against Uber drivers are serious incidents with long-lasting impacts on the drivers involved. Some of the forms of assault that rideshare drivers may experience include:
- Sexual Assault: Unwanted touching, groping, sexual comments, or attempted coercion.
- Physical Violence: Punching, slapping, choking, or being attacked with an object.
- Verbal Abuse & Threats: Harassment, hate speech, or threats of harm.
- Alcohol-Fueled Aggression: Drunk passengers acting belligerently or out of control.
Uber Driver Assault
Survivor Rights
If you or a loved one was assaulted while working as an Uber or other rideshare company driver, you do not have to face the trauma alone. Even as independent contractors, Uber drivers have legal rights, including:
- The right to report the assault to law enforcement
- The right to file a civil lawsuit for damages, including medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma
- The right to seek legal help without fear of retaliation
- In some cases, the right to pursue action against Uber for negligence
Uber has a legal obligation to investigate reports of safety incidents and, when appropriate, ban dangerous passengers from the app. However, their internal process often falls short of truly protecting drivers or helping survivors get justice, as law enforcement is typically not notified during these internal investigations. This leaves survivors with two main legal options after experiencing rideshare assault: filing a civil lawsuit and reporting the assault to law enforcement on their own.
Can You Sue Uber or the Passenger for Assault as a Driver?
In rideshare sexual assault cases, multiple parties may be liable, including the following:
- The Assailant: The passenger who assaulted them may be liable for personal injury or sexual assault damages.
- Uber: The rideshare giant might be liable if it failed to take appropriate action, ignored previous complaints about the rider, or did not take proper steps to ensure a reasonably safe platform.
In an Uber sexual assault case, liability depends on your state’s laws and the circumstances of your case. An attorney experienced in sexual assault and rideshare litigation can help determine:
- Whether Uber had prior knowledge of the rider’s behavior
- Whether Uber’s safety protocols failed to protect the assaulted driver
- What damages you may be entitled to recover, such as emotional distress, medical bills, therapy, and lost wages
How a Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help Uber Drivers After an Incident
After a physical or sexual assault by an Uber passenger, an experienced sexual assault lawyer will operate with care to protect the driver’s confidentiality and rights and pursue justice for them.
At Helping Survivors, we connect assault survivors with trauma-informed attorneys to fully investigate the assault and take the appropriate legal actions to help survivors recover. A skilled Uber sexual assault attorney can assist with:
- Informing survivors of their legal rights and what to expect in the claim process.
- Investigating the survivor’s case and gathering evidence.
- Filing civil claims for assault, sexual violence, or negligence.
- Connecting survivors with trauma-informed therapists and support professionals.
Survivors of sexual assault are not just case numbers to Helping Survivors. You are a person who deserves to be heard, believed, and protected.
Speak With an Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
If you were assaulted by a passenger while driving for Uber, you don’t have to face this alone. Helping Survivors is here to listen, support, and guide you through your options confidentially and without pressure. Our team can connect you with therapists, support groups, and legal aid organizations that specialize in trauma from assault and violence. Additionally, we can connect you with our legal partners to file a civil lawsuit against the individuals and organizations that perpetrated and enabled the assault.
Survivors of rideshare sexual assault deserve justice and compensation for their suffering. At Helping Survivors, we’re on a mission to help heal, educate, and empower survivors to take action for justice.
Your story matters, your safety matters, and we’re here to help. Contact us today to speak with a survivor advocate who understands what you’re going through.
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