Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer
No one expects a rideshare trip to end in fear or violence, but that experience is a reality for countless people across Massachusetts every year. Lawsuits have exposed gaps in driver screening and safety policies that have left Uber and Lyft passengers vulnerable to preventable harm.
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Reviewed by: Christopher DiBella
December 16, 2025
If you’ve been assaulted while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may have the right to compensation for the harm you’ve endured. At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we handle these deeply personal cases with the care and professionalism they require. Speak with a trusted Uber and Lyft sexual assault lawyer now to learn how we can help you pursue justice, closure, and fair compensation.
On This Page
- Understanding Rideshare Sexual Assault
- How Our Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyers Can Help
- Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Assault Case?
- What You Need to Do After a Sexual Assault in an Uber or Lyft
- Why Choose DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers For Your Case
- Rideshare Assault Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Survivors of rideshare sexual assaults often have the right to seek accountability through a civil lawsuit.
- Multiple parties—including the driver, the rideshare company, or a property owner—may share liability for the assault.
- Our Boston personal injury lawyers provide trusted legal help for sexual assault victims, including those harmed while traveling with Uber or Lyft.
Understanding Rideshare Sexual Assault
Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are popular for their convenient, on-demand transportation. However, these same systems can also create opportunities for sexual misconduct.
Sexual assault in a rideshare vehicle can take many forms, including unwanted touching, attempted rape, or completed rape. In many cases, these incidents occur when passengers are alone, intoxicated, or otherwise vulnerable.
While Lyft reports that more than 99 percent of rides between 2017 and 2019 occurred without a safety incident, sexual assault remains a serious problem. In 2019 alone, the company documented 1,807 reports of non-consensual sexual contact, including unwanted kissing, touching, and attempted or completed penetration. These figures reveal that even a small percentage of cases can represent thousands of survivors whose trust and safety were violated.
Both Uber and Lyft have faced criticism for safety failures that raise the risk of sexual assault. These include performing incomplete background checks and failing to follow up on passenger complaints of misconduct. When rideshare companies neglect their duty to protect passengers, survivors have the right to pursue accountability.
How Our Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyers Can Help
Rideshare sexual assault cases demand both skillful advocacy and compassionate support. Our team provides both while advocating for maximum compensation for our clients. When you turn to us for help, we’ll manage every aspect of your case with discretion and respect, protecting your privacy while building the strongest claim possible.
Legal Expertise
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling sexual assault cases, including those involving rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. As established Boston car accident attorneys, we’ve also represented numerous clients in crash-related injury claims against rideshare companies. That means we know how these companies operate and what it takes to win against them.
Rideshare sexual assault claims often involve multiple insurance policies, overlapping liability issues, and powerful corporations with vast legal resources. We’re prepared to handle these complexities and pursue the results you deserve, just as we have for many others.
Steps We Take
When you contact our firm, our team will take prompt action to protect your rights and build your case, including by:
- Investigating the assault: We’ll gather key evidence such as rideshare company hiring records, driver details, and witness statements to determine who is liable for the assault.
- Developing a legal strategy: We’ll adapt our approach to your comfort level, which may include negotiating a settlement out of court with the rideshare insurance company or filing a lawsuit and representing you in trial.
- Managing communication: Our attorneys will handle all contact with the rideshare company, insurance agents, and law enforcement on your behalf.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Assault Case?
When a sexual assault happens during an Uber or Lyft ride, the driver is not always the only one who may be held legally responsible. Other people or companies may also share blame if their negligence helped create the conditions that led to the assault.
For instance, the rideshare company may be liable if it failed to perform a background check on the driver, knowingly hired a driver with a criminal history, or ignored reports about the driver’s behavior from other riders. If the assault occurred in a parking lot or garage, the property owner may also be liable for failing to maintain adequate security measures.
Multiple parties may be liable for the same sexual assault incident. Our attorneys can identify every potential defendant and pursue claims against all those whose negligence contributed to the assault.
What You Need to Do After a Sexual Assault in an Uber or Lyft
The hours and days after a sexual assault can be some of the most difficult moments a person will ever face. In such a turbulent time, there are steps you can take to protect your health and pursue accountability.
Immediate Steps
You deserve protection and trusted guidance. These early steps can help you move forward with that support:
- Call 911 and report the assault. Law enforcement can start pursuing the offender, documenting what happened, and protecting you from further harm.
- Seek medical attention. Go to the nearest emergency room for a forensic medical evaluation. A medical professional can treat any injuries, offer medications to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, and collect evidence that may help you if you decide to proceed with legal action.
- Preserve potential evidence. If possible, change out of the clothes you were wearing without washing them, and place them in a sealed container for safekeeping. Screenshot your trip details in the rideshare app, and keep a copy of any messages you exchanged with the driver.
- Write down what you remember. When you feel ready, write down or create a voice recording of every detail you can recall about the assault.
- Contact our rideshare assault attorneys. We can advise you on your next steps and provide compassionate support every step of the way.
Why Legal Action Matters
Taking legal action after a rideshare assault is a meaningful way to pursue justice, financial stability, and emotional closure.
While no outcome can undo what happened, a civil lawsuit allows you to hold the offender accountable for the harm they caused. It also allows you to avoid having to suffer financially because of the assault by seeking compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, missed work, and pain and suffering. Reaching a fair settlement can give you the resources to heal and rebuild your life with greater peace of mind.
When you decide to take legal action, our attorneys will begin by investigating the assault and identifying who may be responsible. We’ll gather evidence, file paperwork, and negotiate for a fair settlement with the liable party or their insurer. If the other party refuses to settle for what you deserve, we may take the case to trial and represent you before a judge or jury. As your case progresses, we’ll involve you in every decision so you can feel empowered and in control.
Why Choose DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers For Your Case
Founding attorney Chris DiBella’s own family experiences with serious injury shaped his understanding of what survivors need most—compassion, communication, and relentless advocacy. That perspective guides everything we do.
With more than 20 years of experience and millions recovered in verdicts and settlements, our firm fights for justice while treating every client like family. We’re nationally recognized for our work, with honors that include a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo, Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys in Massachusetts by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, and Super Lawyers selection from 2020 to 2025.
If you were harmed during an Uber or Lyft ride, we’re ready to stand with you and help you rebuild your life. We know that trusting someone with your case can feel difficult after experiencing sexual assault, and we’re ready to earn that trust through honesty and consistent care. Contact us online or call 855-342-3552 (855-DiBella) for a free, confidential consultation with an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyer today.
Client Testimonials
Our client testimonials reflect the level of service we provide to every person who turns to us for help.
Personalized Service
We recognize that healing looks different for every survivor. That’s why we’ll tailor our legal strategy to your comfort level and keep you informed about your options without ever pressuring you to do something you don’t want. We measure success in sexual assault cases not only by the compensation recovered, but by the sense of closure and empowerment it brings to our clients.
Rideshare Assault Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Get clear answers to your questions about rideshare sexual assault claims below.
Who Can File a Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Anyone who was sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver may have grounds for a civil lawsuit. These claims allow survivors to seek accountability and compensation even if the offender has not faced criminal charges.
How Do Uber and Lyft Handle Sexual Assault Claims?
Uber and Lyft each have safety teams that investigate reports of sexual assault. However, those reviews primarily focus on limiting the company’s liability and protecting its interests. If the company believes a claim is valid, it may remove the offender from the platform to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft for Sexual Assault?
Yes, in some cases. Uber or Lyft may be liable if it failed to conduct background checks on the driver or ignored prior complaints about the driver’s behavior.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect?
You may be eligible for compensation for any financial, emotional, and physical losses you suffer as a result of the assault. These damages may include medical expenses, therapy costs, lost income, physical pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim or Lawsuit After a Sexual Assault in a Rideshare?
Under Massachusetts’ personal injury statute of limitations, you have three years from the date of the assault to file a claim. If you were under 18 when you were assaulted, you may have up to 35 years from the incident to take legal action.