Urban vs. Rural Rideshare Sexual Assault Risks
Rideshare sexual assault is an unfortunately common phenomenon for users of services like Uber and Lyft, but some factors can increase the odds of sexual misconduct occurring in urban and rural settings.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- Using rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can be convenient, but they come with risks that may vary depending on the ride’s setting.
- Rideshare sexual assault tends to be more common in urban settings with nightlife, intoxicated passengers, and high traffic, as well as rural settings with a low police presence and low visibility.
- Survivors of rideshare sexual assault have rights and legal options for holding the perpetrators and enablers of the assault, including the rideshare company involved, responsible for their actions.
While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can be a convenient option for people needing transportation, these services unfortunately pose significant risks of sexual assault and harassment to riders and drivers alike. The risk of a rideshare sexual assault can differ based on a number of outside factors, like urban and rural settings–each of which presents its own risks. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault while using a rideshare service, you have legal rights and options for seeking accountability.
What is Rideshare Sexual Assault?
There are several categories of sexual assault in the context of a rideshare trip. Uber’s most recent safety report categorizes sexual assaults in an Uber into the following:
- Non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part
- Non-consensual touching of a sexual body part
- Non-consensual kissing of a sexual body part
- Non-consensual attempted penetration
- Non-consensual penetration
How Common is Rideshare Sexual Assault?
Uber has asserted that 99.9% of its trips end without any safety issues. However, the New York Times reported in August 2025 that court records showed more than 400,000 sexual assaults occurred between 2017 and 2022. According to the article, Uber received a report of sexual assault or misconduct in the U.S. almost every eight minutes during that period—a far higher level than what the company has disclosed.
In response to the New York Times article, Uber published a post stating that “safety is a core value” at the company, and that reports of serious sexual assault on Uber fell by 44% from 2017 to 2022. The rideshare giant also claimed that the 400,000 assaults in the report did not fall into the category of sexual assault and were less serious and non-physical in nature.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, it’s difficult to understand the full scope of the rideshare sexual assault epidemic. While multiple federal and non-federal sources collect some information on rideshare assaults, it’s not enough to fully describe the extent of the issue—especially because so many sexual assaults go unreported. However, the absence of accurate data does not mean the absence of risk.
- What is Rideshare Sexual Assault?
- How Do Urban and Rural Settings Affect Rideshare Sexual Assault Risk?
- How Can I Reduce The Risk of Sexual Assault When Using Rideshares?
- What to Do if You’re a Victim of Rideshare Sexual Assault
- Legal Recourse for Rideshare Sexual Assault Victims
- Why Choose Helping Survivors for Legal Help
How Do Urban and Rural Settings Affect Rideshare Sexual Assault Risk?
A 2024 study on risk factors for harassment and assault in rideshare services found a significant rise in these incidents in recent years, prompting concerns about the adequacy of rideshare services’ current safety measures.
The main risk factors the study identified for increased incident rates include the following:
- Nighttime operations
- Intoxicated passengers
- High-crime areas
- Lack of surveillance
- Racial and gender biases
- Driver and passenger anonymity
- Inadequate training
- High-stress environments
Urban Rideshare Sexual Assault Risks
The 2024 study found that assaults involving individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs were most frequently reported in urban areas with active nightlife scenes. Nighttime operations were also identified as a risk factor for rideshare sexual assault.
However, these types of incidents can also occur in secluded, poorly lit suburban and rural areas where the lack of visibility and sparse population create opportunities for crime. Urban areas with high traffic can also cause high stress levels that increase the risk of assault.
Rural Rideshare Sexual Assault Risks
One of the main risk factors for rideshare sexual assault in rural settings is reduced visibility and lower public presence in late-night and early morning hours. These risks are especially dangerous for female drivers and passengers.
Rural areas often have a lower police presence, less street lighting, and more dark back roads with no witnesses.
How Can I Reduce The Risk of Sexual Assault When Using Rideshares?
Generally, women are more vulnerable to safety and security risks when using rideshare services than men. Thus, they should utilize protective strategies, such as traveling with a companion and using women-only services when possible.
All passengers should try to avoid using rideshare services in locations with minimal law enforcement presence, inadequate street lighting, and fewer people around. For drivers, try to avoid picking up intoxicated passengers at night.
What to Do if You’re a Victim of Rideshare Sexual Assault
Rideshare sexual assault takes an immense emotional, physical, and psychological toll on victims. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse in a rideshare, you deserve to understand your options and legal rights, including reporting to law enforcement or filing a claim against Uber or Lyft.
After experiencing rideshare sexual assault, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself, ensure your safety, and preserve evidence for a potential legal claim.
Immediate Steps
- Ensure your immediate safety.
- Seek medical care and emotional support.
- Preserve evidence, including photos, ride receipts, messages from the driver or passenger involved, and information on the driver or passenger’s identity and vehicle.
- Report to the rideshare company.
- Report the assault to law enforcement by calling 911.
Legal Recourse for Rideshare Sexual Assault Victims
In sexual assault cases, victims can report the incident to the police. A report will likely trigger a criminal investigation, and prosecutors may press charges against the perpetrator. In addition, survivors of rideshare sexual assault may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit and pursue compensation for the harm.
Rideshare sexual assault cases are unique in that victims might be able to hold the rideshare company involved liable for negligent hiring, training, retention, or safety practices.
The time frame for filing a rideshare sexual assault lawsuit varies by state. An experienced attorney can work with you to file your case on time and hold the responsible parties accountable. A successful rideshare sexual assault lawsuit can result in monetary compensation for the victim’s medical costs, pain, suffering, emotional trauma, and more.
Why Choose Helping Survivors for Legal Help
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service, you have legal rights and options for holding the responsible parties accountable. At Helping Survivors, we strive to educate survivors about their rights, provide them with access to resources for support, and connect them with our partner law firms.
The lawyers at our partner firms have years of experience handling sexual assault cases, especially those related to rideshare incidents. They work with victims to file civil lawsuits against the individuals and institutions that perpetrated and enabled the assault.
To learn more about your rights and options after rideshare sexual assault and get connected with an experienced attorney, contact Helping Survivors today.
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