What You Need to Know About Sexual Assault at Uber & Lyft

When a ride turns into a nightmare, our Tampa attorneys are ready to fight for you

Sexual assault changes lives. And when it happens in a place that was supposed to be safe (such as the back seat of an Uber or Lyft), it can leave survivors feeling trapped, violated, and unsure of where to turn.

These cases are more common than most people realize. Women and men across the country have come forward with similar stories: a rideshare that took a terrifying turn. Drivers who ignored boundaries. Companies that failed to protect the people who trusted them.

If you’re here because of a sexual assault at Uber and Lyft, your pain is real, your experience matters, and you’re not alone. Additionally, you may have legal options, and a Tampa personal injury lawyer at Armando Personal Injury Law is here to walk you through them.

What is sexual assault in a rideshare setting?

Under Florida law, sexual assault includes any non-consensual sexual contact. This is everything from groping to coercion, sexual comments, exposure, or forced intercourse. In the context of a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, this can take many forms:

The driver making unwanted advances or touching a passenger.
A passenger harassing or assaulting a driver.
A drunk rider taken advantage of while they’re unable to consent.
Situations where a driver refuses to let someone out of the car.

When you’re alone in a vehicle with a stranger, there’s an inherent power imbalance. And if the person behind the wheel of an Uber or Lyft vehicle chooses to abuse that power, it can lead to devastating consequences.

How common is sexual assault at Uber & Lyft?

Unfortunately, the problem is more widespread than most people think. Uber’s own safety reports show nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assault in just a two-year span. And that’s just the incidents that were reported. In addition, Lyft has faced a growing wave of lawsuits, with hundreds of survivors alleging that the company ignored warning signs or failed to act after reports were made.

And again, these are just the cases reported to Uber or Lyft. Many survivors never come forward due to shame, fear of being blamed, or a belief that nothing will be done.

What safety measures do Uber and Lyft claim to have?

On paper, both companies offer safety features like:

An emergency button to call 911.
Ride-tracking that lets friends follow your trip.
Driver background checks.

But in practice, these features don’t always prevent harm. Many assaults happen even after passengers used the safety tools available to them.

Background checks, too, have major blind spots. They don’t include fingerprinting. They often miss out-of-state offenses or new charges. And neither Uber nor Lyft conducts regular ongoing checks once a driver is approved.

Even worse, when survivors do report an assault, they often hit a wall. Some are routed through automated systems. Others are pressured to handle things “privately” through arbitration, which only silences them and shields the company from public accountability.

How does sexual assault at Uber & Lyft happen?

There’s no single way these assaults happen, but certain patterns appear time and time again. Many incidents occur during late-night pickups, especially when passengers are intoxicated and more vulnerable. Remote drop-off locations also pose a risk, which leaves riders isolated and without quick access to emergency help.

Some drivers manipulate the situation by stalling the ride, taking a longer route, or even locking the doors. In many cases, the victim is too impaired to give clear consent, which makes them an easy target for attackers.

What’s even more troubling is that some assaults are carried out by repeat offenders. These are drivers who had already been reported but were never removed from the platform. One of the most painful realities for survivors is how quickly things can spiral out of control. A trusted driver can turn into a predator in a matter of moments, and the very service meant to offer a safe ride home becomes the setting for a devastating violation.

Can Uber or Lyft be held legally responsible?

While both companies classify their drivers as “independent contractors” (a legal shield meant to avoid liability), there are still ways to hold them accountable under Florida law. Some of the most common legal theories involve:

Negligent hiring: Approving drivers despite red flags in their background.
Negligent supervision: Ignoring repeated complaints about a driver.
Failure to warn: Not informing passengers that a driver had prior allegations.

Even though Uber and Lyft try to hide behind terms of service and arbitration clauses, these don’t always hold up in court, especially in cases of gross negligence or clear endangerment. If you were assaulted during a ride, a skilled Tampa personal injury lawyer can help determine whether a civil lawsuit is possible, and whether Uber or Lyft can be named directly.

What should you do after a sexual assault at Uber & Lyft?

We know it’s hard to think clearly in the aftermath of trauma. But the steps you take (when you’re ready) can protect both your health and your legal rights. Here’s what we recommend:

Get to a safe place: Call someone you trust. Go to a public location or contact the police if you feel in danger.
Seek medical care: This is important both for your well-being and for collecting potential forensic evidence. Florida offers free rape kits, but they’re time-sensitive.
Preserve evidence: Take screenshots of your ride receipt, messages with the driver, the driver’s name and profile, and any other details.
Report the incident: You can contact the police, and you can also file a report with Uber or Lyft (though this doesn’t replace a police report).
Write down what happened: Memories fade fast under trauma. Even a rough timeline can be incredibly helpful later.
Speak to an attorney before signing anything: You may be contacted by the company and pressured to accept a settlement or waive your rights. Don’t sign anything. And don’t do this without an attorney present.

What damages can you seek in a sexual assault claim?

You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for the harm someone else caused. You deserve support and the chance to rebuild your life with dignity and security. Every case is different, but here are some of the damages (legal term for financial compensation) a survivor might be entitled to under Florida law, including money for:

Medical expenses (hospital visits, testing, therapy, medications)
Mental health care (counseling for PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Lost income (if the trauma caused you to miss work or lose your job)
Pain and suffering (for emotional distress, nightmares, or loss of trust)

Our Tampa attorneys fight for victims of sexual assault at Uber & Lyft

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault during an Uber or Lyft ride, you deserve to be treated with compassion, dignity, and the full protection of the law. The legal team at Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa understands that coming forward isn’t easy. You’ve already endured something no one should ever face, and now you may be wondering who to trust or where to turn.

Our Tampa attorneys are here to listen without judgment and to help you understand your legal rights, every step of the way. When you contact us, you’re opening a safe, confidential conversation. We offer free consultations, and we’ll never rush you or pressure you to make decisions before you’re ready.

You’ve already been through enough. Let us handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on healing. We charge no fees unless we win your case, and we bring deep experience handling personal injury claims involving rideshare companies, negligent corporations, and traumatic injuries. Justice isn’t always fast or easy, but it is possible. And you don’t have to go through it alone. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us be your voice.

“Armando was wonderful and always kept me updated about my claim. It was the best decision I made to go to him. I would recommend him to anyone in need of his services.” – B.S., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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