By the Editorial Staff | Updated June 2026 | No Fee Unless You Win

If you have experienced sexual assault and need support: Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (RAINN), available 24/7. You can also chat online at rainn.org.

Riders and drivers across the United States have reported sexual assault during Uber and Lyft rides. Lawsuits allege these companies failed to protect the people who use and work for their platforms. Attorneys are reviewing claims from survivors who may have legal options.

Case at a Glance

• What’s Alleged: Uber and Lyft failed to adequately screen drivers and protect riders and drivers from sexual assault
• Who May Qualify: Riders and drivers who experienced qualifying sexual assault during or directly adjacent to an Uber or Lyft ride in the United States
• Where It Must Have Happened: Inside the vehicle or just outside the vehicle
• Reporting Requirement: The incident must have been reported to at least one person or entity (Police, Therapist, Friend, Family etc.)

What Is the Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit About?

Uber and Lyft have become a part of everyday life for millions of people across the country. Most rides are uneventful. But for a significant and growing number of riders and drivers, a ride has turned into something much worse.

Lawsuits filed against both companies allege that Uber and Lyft failed to take reasonable steps to protect the people who use and work for their platforms. Plaintiffs allege that despite repeated internal reports, media investigations, and public pressure, both companies were slow to implement meaningful safety measures, conduct adequate background checks, or remove drivers with concerning records.

Both riders and drivers can be victims. While most reported incidents involve riders being assaulted by drivers, lawsuits also include cases where drivers were assaulted by riders.

Both Uber and Lyft Are Involved

These lawsuits are not limited to one platform. Claims are being reviewed against both Uber and Lyft. The incident must have occurred during or directly adjacent to an Uber or Lyft ride, inside or just outside the vehicle, and must have taken place within the United States.

Examples of Alleged Instances of Sexual Assault:

• Rape
• Sodomy (anal or oral copulation)
• Digital penetration (including with a finger)
• Forced manual stimulation
• Forced oral copulation (oral contact with sexual organs or anus)
• Masturbation
• Indecent exposure with unwanted touching
• Unwanted touching of Sexual Body Parts

What You Will Need to Have

To move forward with a claim, there are a few key requirements beyond the nature of the assault itself. These practical steps help establish that the incident occurred and was connected to a specific rideshare trip.

Ride Receipt

You must be willing and able to provide a ride receipt. To qualify, the receipt must contain all three of the following. If any element is missing, the receipt may not meet the current threshold.

• Full date of the ride
• Pick up and drop off location
• Driver name

Accepted Forms of Reporting

The incident must have been reported to at least one of the following. You do not need to have filed a police report. Telling a trusted person or seeking medical help counts.

• Rideshare company (Uber or Lyft)
• Therapist
• Physician
• Police department
• Friend or family member

You Do Not Need a Police Report to Qualify: Many survivors of sexual assault do not report to law enforcement, and that is understood. Telling a therapist, a doctor, or even a trusted friend or family member may satisfy the reporting requirement. What matters is that the incident was disclosed to someone. A case review can help determine whether your specific situation meets this requirement.

Why These Lawsuits Have Legal Weight

Uber and Lyft have faced scrutiny over driver safety for years. Both companies have released safety reports acknowledging thousands of sexual assault incidents reported on their platforms. Plaintiffs allege that the scale of the problem was known, and that both companies failed to take adequate steps to prevent it.

The core argument in these cases is not just that individual drivers committed crimes. It is that the companies who profited from the platform had a responsibility to protect the people using it, and that they failed to meet that responsibility in ways that were foreseeable and preventable.

What the Lawsuits Allege

• Negligent Screening: Plaintiffs allege that Uber and Lyft failed to conduct adequate background checks on drivers, allowing individuals with criminal histories or concerning records to operate on their platforms.
• Negligent Retention: Lawsuits claim that both companies continued to allow drivers to operate after complaints or incidents were reported, rather than removing them from the platform.
• Failure to Warn: Some complaints allege that Uber and Lyft failed to warn users about known safety risks or patterns of assault on their platforms.
• Negligent Supervision: Plaintiffs allege the companies failed to implement reasonable safety systems, policies, or features that could have reduced the risk of assault.

Subject to Change: The legal theories being pursued, the defendants involved, and the status of litigation may all change as cases move through the courts. This page will be updated regularly. A legal review is the best way to get current information specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a driver file a claim, or is this only for riders?

Both riders and drivers may qualify. While many reported incidents involve riders being assaulted by drivers, lawsuits also cover cases where drivers were assaulted by riders. The qualifying conduct and other requirements are the same regardless of whether the claimant was a rider or driver.

What if I did not report it to the police?

You do not need a police report to qualify. The incident must have been reported to at least one of the following: the rideshare company, a therapist, a physician, a police department, or a friend or family member. Telling a trusted person in your life may satisfy the reporting requirement.

What if I no longer have my ride receipt?

A ride receipt containing the full date, pick up and drop off location, and driver name is required under current guidelines. If you do not currently have it, you may be able to retrieve it through your Uber or Lyft account history. An attorney can help you identify what options exist. If the receipt cannot be located or does not contain the required information, it may affect eligibility under current criteria.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Filing deadlines vary significantly by state, ranging from 1 year to 6 years for general tort claims, with some states having no deadline at all for certain sexual assault claims. Both Uber and Lyft now require at least 90 days to remain before your state’s deadline expires. If you are unsure how much time you have, reach out for a case review as soon as possible.

Does it cost anything to find out if I qualify?

No. The case evaluation is free and confidential. If a case is accepted, attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no legal fees unless the case results in a settlement or verdict in your favor. No outcome or recovery can be guaranteed.

What if the assault happened outside the car?

Incidents that occurred just outside the vehicle, such as during pickup or dropoff, may still qualify. The assault must be directly connected to the rideshare trip. Incidents entirely unrelated to the ride itself would not qualify under current guidelines.

Think You May Have a Case?

Our team works with survivors of rideshare sexual assault. A case review is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation. You will speak with someone who understands how sensitive this is.

• A brief, confidential conversation about what happened and whether it may qualify
• No documents needed before we talk
• No fees unless your case results in a recovery

See if Your Situation Qualifies →

Deadlines vary by state. The sooner you reach out, the more options you may have.