The Hidden Dangers of Using Uber That Every Passenger Should Know

Hi everyone, my name is Jen Newsome and today we’re asking the question, is Uber safe? It’s a personal decision that each potential passenger has to make for themselves. But the numbers show a troubling reality. Thousands of riders have been victimized and too many have been left without answers or justice. Let’s break this down a bit further. While millions of Uber rides happen without an incident every day, the reality is that thousands of passengers have reported being sexually assaulted, harassed, or harmed by their rideshare drivers. In fact, Uber’s own safety reports revealed over 10,000 sexual assaults in the United States in just a two-year span.

Many survivors have since filed lawsuits against Uber, accusing the company of negligence and failing to properly protect their riders. Critics point to a number of safety gaps in Uber system, such as faulty background checks that allow dangerous drivers to slip through. There’s no requirement for in-car video or audio recording, unlike traditional taxis. There is limited safety features that are hard to access in a moment of danger and there is poor customer support and many survivors are saying that Uber never followed up after they reported an assault.

So, who’s most at risk? Data shows that women and solo passengers are the most at risk. A New York Times investigation even found Uber received a sexual assault or misconduct report nearly every 8 minutes between 2017 and 2022. Women riding alone, especially late at night or while traveling, are particularly vulnerable. Uber has introduced new features like allowing female passengers in some cities to request a female driver or launching Uber for teens with parental controls, but the safety advocates say that these changes still don’t address the core issue.

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted by an Uber driver, you are not alone and you do have rights. Helping Survivors connects individuals directly with experienced trauma-informed lawyers who understand these cases and can help you explore your legal options. These attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and there’s no legal fees at all unless they win compensation for you. Reach out to Helping Survivors today just to learn more about your rights and the steps that you can take.