Uber and Lyft Sexual Abuse
Millions of people use Uber and Lyft every day and these rideshare services are especially prevalent in New York. Passengers reasonably expect that the services will get them where they need to go safely. However, an increasingly large number of passengers end up being sexually assaulted by their Uber or Lyft driver, other passengers (especially in pooled rides), and predators pretending to be drivers.
If you or a loved one are a survivor of sexual assault as a result of using Uber or Lyft (whether by a driver or another individual), you deserve justice. At Manly Stewart and Finaldi, our attorneys can help you stand up to your attacker and hold the company that allowed the attack to occur accountable for what happened.
Do I have a Case Against Uber or Lyft?
If you were sexually abused by an Uber or Lyft driver, we believe you. Our attorneys will listen to what happened, develop a strategy and let you know what your options are. We firmly believe that the legal process plays a strong role in the healing process and can help survivors recover from their experience. It’s not your fault that this has happened. We understand what you may be going through in the wake of a sexual assault and will proudly stand next to you every step of the way.
How Manly Stewart & Finaldi Can Help
- Manly Stewart & Finaldi has been representing survivors of sexual abuse and assault for over 20 years.
- Our attorneys are passionate about helping survivors and have focus solely on sexual abuse cases.
- We have recovered over $2 billion dollars for our clients in verdicts and settlements. We are ready, willing and able to take on the largest corporations and institutions on behalf of our clients.
Uber and Lyft Drivers and Sexual Assault
In 2018, a CNN investigation found that at least 103 Uber drivers and at least 18 Lyft drivers were accused of sexually assaulting passengers over a four-year period. This number is likely the tip of the iceberg as many incidents go unreported.
The reality is that you don’t know who is driving you when you order an Uber or Lyft. While the companies run background checks, many news reports have found that Uber and Lyft have approved thousands of drivers who should have been disqualified due to a criminal record. The services have been compared to hitchhiking with strangers. The Uber and Lyft platforms give perpetrators access to potential victims, who are often alone and intoxicated.
While Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has pledged that sexual assault prevention is a major focus and both ridesharing companies have implemented app features to protect passengers, more needs to be done.
What is sexual assault?
The term sexual assault is a term that covers any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the victim. This can include:
- Rape
- Attempted Rape
- Unwanted sexual touching
- Forcible touching
- Forced sexual acts
- And many other behaviors
When to Contact an Attorney?
While it can be extremely beneficial to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, we understand that people deal with trauma differently. It may take years for survivors to come to terms with what happened and that is part of the healing process. New York has filing deadlines and statutes of limitations for both criminal and civil cases, however, we recommend that you speak with our attorneys even if years have passed. We have been extremely successful in changing laws and making exceptions to the laws to get justice for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. We don’t believe that arbitrary deadlines should bar your claim if it takes longer for you to seek help.
If you or a loved one were sexually assaulted while using the Uber or Lyft, we can help. Contact our attorneys as soon as you are ready to find out how a lawsuit can help you take steps towards healing. We represent clients in New York City and throughout the state of New York.