How to Report an Uber Driver for Sexual Assault
Understanding how to report an Uber driver for sexual assault empowers survivors to take prompt action while protecting others from dangerous Uber drivers. If you have experienced sexual assault during an Uber trip, our law firm can help you take legal action. Contact us for a free consultation about reporting incidents to the Uber platform.
What Qualifies as Sexual Assault by a Rideshare Driver?
Sexual misconduct encompasses anything that is done without your consent, or where your consent was given out of fear. This can include unwanted sexual contact, sexual assault, rape, or exposure (10 U.S. Code § 920).
What Should You Do Immediately After a Sexual Assault During an Uber Ride?
After a sexual or physical assault, your immediate safety is the most important concern. Follow these steps as soon as possible.
- Get to Safety: Leave the vehicle if at all possible, even if it is in the middle of the trip.
- Preserve Physical Evidence: Do not shower, change clothes, or brush your teeth.
- Get Screenshots: Take a screenshot of the trip request, including the driver’s name, any other riders, and the date and time. This ensures you don’t lose access in case you make another ride request.
- Seek Medical Attention: Visit the closest emergency room and request a forensic exam.
- Gather Important Details: Summarize what happened in your own words as soon as possible.
- Seek Support: You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline to talk to a trained counselor, who can help you find victim advocates in your local area.
How to Report Sexual Assault Through the Uber Rideshare Platform
You can report sexual abuse through the Uber app. This is an internal process and is different from reporting to the police.
Select the trip, then select “report safety issue.” Provide any details you have, such as the driver’s name and what happened. This safety report provides valuable evidence that your legal team can use when seeking compensation.
Should You Report an Uber Sexual Assault Case to the Police?
While rideshare companies privately track safety incidents, they do not report them to the police on a passenger’s behalf. You have the right to report a safety incident to local law enforcement, who will then investigate and determine if there is probable cause for an arrest.
Even if you do not choose to pursue criminal charges, a police report offers valuable documentation for a civil claim.
What Happens After You Report an Uber Driver for Sexual Assault
After you report an Uber driver, the company will initiate an internal investigation. A passenger safety specialist may reach out to you for more information or may request a copy of a police report. During that time, they may remove the Uber driver from service or terminate the account.
Can Uber Be Held Civilly Liable for Sexual Assault by a Driver?
Yes, in some cases, Uber can be held liable for its drivers’ actions. An experienced attorney from our firm can apply these legal theories to demonstrate the company’s liability.
Negligent Hiring: Uber should conduct background checks on any driver to see if they have a history of sexual harassment, abuse, or assault. If the driver had a history of violence and was accepted anyway, this would be negligence.
Negligent Supervision: A recent New York Times investigation found that some Uber drivers had multiple harassment or assault allegations against them, but were still allowed to drive. This would be considered a failure to supervise a worker.
Safety Failures: Technology companies should have tools in place to protect riders and drivers from dangerous individuals. This can include incident reporting and trip monitoring. If these tools are ineffective, it could be considered a failure on the platform’s part.
Multidistrict Litigation Against Uber
Rideshare sexual assault lawsuits are pending nationwide. Currently, the Northern District of California is the venue of claims against Uber Technologies (MDL No. 3084).
An MDL consolidates the pretrial hearings for thousands of Uber abuse cases into one venue. Once the pretrial proceedings are complete, the cases will be returned to their respective jurisdictions and will proceed as separate civil lawsuits (28 U.S. Code § 1407).
What Are Your Legal Options Beyond Reporting the Assault?
You can seek justice for rideshare sexual abuse through an insurance claim or a civil claim.
An insurance claim is a private negotiation with Uber’s insurance company. In many cases, our rideshare sexual assault lawyers will begin by filing a claim with the insurer and negotiating for a fair settlement. These cases often settle out of court, but sometimes there are complex legal questions. In that case, you can file a lawsuit.
A civil claim seeks damages for your financial and emotional losses. These can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. In some jurisdictions, a court can award punitive damages for behavior beyond gross negligence.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing Rideshare Sexual Assault Claims?
The statute of limitations on sexual assault varies by state. Some states have extended timelines for underage victims.
However, it’s critical to report quickly and consult with a law firm when possible. This ensures that your attorney has access to important details like witness statements, app data, and forensic evidence that can support your claim.
Can You Report Sexual Assault to Uber Without Filing a Police Report?
Yes, you can report a safety incident to Uber without filing a police report. These are separate processes. Uber may use your complaint to remove the Uber driver from the platform, while police will use a report to decide whether to press charges.
How Our Rideshare Sexual Assault Attorneys Can Help Protect Your Legal Rights
Our role is to protect your privacy, preserve evidence, and push for corporate accountability. In many states, we can move to have a case filed under a pseudonym or request that certain information be kept anonymous. We’ll handle third-party communications on your behalf while thoroughly investigating your claim.
Rideshare platforms like Uber often fight liability in sexual assault cases because their drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees. However, an experienced lawyer from our firm can demonstrate that the platform’s operators were negligent in allowing an abusive driver to access trip requests.
Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Case Evaluation
A sexual assault attorney from Injury Lawyer Team is here to help you move forward and protect your rights. We are a Super Lawyers®-rated firm with a 98% success rate, recognized by our peers and clients as distinguished advocates.
We work on a contingency fee basis: no legal fees unless we win. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us at 866-757-6452 or use our online contact form.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.