When you order an Uber, you are trusting a stranger with your life. You trust that the multi-billion dollar company behind the app has vetted the driver, monitored their behavior, and ensured a safe environment.

Unfortunately, lawsuits allege that for years, rideshare companies have prioritized rapid growth over passenger safety. By failing to implement adequate background checks or responding to early warning signs of predator drivers, these platforms may have put you in danger.

If you experienced sexual violence during a rideshare trip, it is not your fault. And it is not just a criminal matter against the driver—it may be a civil case against the company that enabled them.

The Legal Argument: Why Sue the Rideshare App?

Many survivors assume their only recourse is filing a police report against the driver. While criminal justice is important, it often does not account for the systemic failures that allowed the assault to happen.

Civil lawsuits against Uber focus on “Negligence.” We investigate whether the company failed to:

• Conduct adequate fingerprint-based background checks.
• Remove drivers who had previous complaints of harassment.
• Implement safety features that could have prevented the attack.

You aren’t just suing a driver who may have no assets; you are holding a corporation accountable for failing its duty of care to you.

Do I Have a Case? (Qualifying Criteria)

Because these cases are sensitive, we want to be clear about who we can help legally. Based on current litigation criteria, we are reviewing cases that meet the following standards:

1. The Setting

The incident must have occurred during a rideshare trip (Uber). This includes the duration of the ride or immediately after the ride if the driver followed or secluded you.

2. “Serious Sexual Contact”

To pursue a civil claim for damages in this mass tort, the incident typically must involve non-consensual physical contact.

• Qualifying Incidents: Sexual assault, rape, attempted rape, or unwanted touching of sexual areas.
• Non-Qualifying Incidents: While verbal harassment, soliciting a number, or rude comments are unacceptable and should be reported to the app, they typically do not meet the threshold for this specific type of personal injury lawsuit unless they escalated to physical contact or false imprisonment.

3. Reporting and Evidence

While we understand many survivors do not report immediately due to trauma, having a record strengthens the case.

• Did you report the incident to the rideshare app?
• Is there a police report?
• Did you seek medical attention (SANE exam)?

Note: Even if you didn’t report it immediately, contact us. We can help evaluate what evidence exists.

Breaking the Silence: What to Expect

We know that contacting a law firm about sexual violence is incredibly difficult. Here is how Nigh Goldenberg handles these inquiries differently:

• Confidentiality is Paramount: Your story is safe with us. We handle these files with the highest level of privacy.
• Trauma-Informed Team: You will not be interrogated. Our intake process is designed to be compassionate and respectful of your experience.
• No Cost to You: We work on a contingency basis. You do not pay unless we recover compensation for you.

Steps to Take If You Were Assaulted

If you have recently been attacked, your safety is the priority.

1. Get to a Safe Place: Leave the vehicle immediately.
2. Call 911: Report the assault to law enforcement to create an official record.
3. Seek Medical Attention: A hospital or clinic can treat injuries and preserve DNA evidence.
4. Preserve Digital Evidence: Do not delete the app. Take screenshots of the driver’s profile, the trip route, and the receipt. Rideshare companies can sometimes disable accounts or wipe data after an incident is reported.
5. Contact a Lawyer Before Signing Anything

[Button: Confidential Case Review – Speak with Our Team]

FAQ: Rideshare Assault Claims

It happened a long time ago. Is it too late?

Not necessarily. Statutes of limitations (the deadline to sue) vary by state. Furthermore, some states have recently passed “lookback window” laws that allow survivors of sexual abuse to file claims for older incidents that were previously expired. Do not assume you are too late—let us check the laws in your state.

Will my name be public?

It depends, but not always. This is something that we can discuss and take into consideration as your case moves forward.

The driver was not convicted criminally. Can I still sue?

Yes. The criminal justice system requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is a very high standard. Civil lawsuits use a “preponderance of the evidence” standard, which is lower. You can often win a civil settlement even if the driver was never found guilty in criminal court.