Uber has faced thousands of sexual assault claims from passengers across the United States, revealing systematic failures in driver screening and passenger safety that have allowed predators to operate on the platform. Survivors pursuing legal action against Uber confront a well-resourced corporate defendant but increasingly find courts and juries receptive to holding the company accountable for the environment it created.
Uber's Safety Record and Public Disclosures
Under mounting legal and public pressure, Uber released safety reports documenting nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assault across its U.S. rides during a two-year period. These reports ranged from non-consensual kissing and touching to rape. The company emphasized that these incidents represented a tiny fraction of total rides, but the raw numbers revealed that sexual violence on the platform was not an isolated problem but a recurring pattern.
Behind these statistics lie individual survivors whose lives were permanently altered by assaults during what should have been routine transportation. Many describe lasting psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and fear of using rideshare services or being alone with strangers. The damage extends far beyond the immediate physical assault.
Legal Theories Against Uber
Sexual assault lawsuits against Uber typically allege that the company's negligent background check practices allowed dangerous individuals to become drivers. Investigations have revealed drivers with prior arrests and convictions for sexual offenses, domestic violence, and other violent crimes who nonetheless passed Uber's screening and went on to assault passengers. The company's background check procedures have been criticized as inadequate compared to standards applied to taxi drivers and other transportation providers.
Negligent retention claims address Uber's handling of complaints against drivers. Survivors and their attorneys have documented cases where passengers reported concerning behavior—boundary violations, inappropriate comments, or previous assault allegations—yet the drivers remained active on the platform and committed subsequent assaults. This pattern suggests systematic failures in responding to warning signs.
Broader negligence theories challenge Uber's entire safety infrastructure. Critics argue the company designed a system prioritizing rapid growth and driver supply over passenger safety, implementing minimal verification, insufficient monitoring, and weak accountability measures. The independent contractor model allows Uber to claim limited control over drivers while profiting from their services.
Navigating Uber's Legal Defenses
Uber has historically required users to agree to arbitration clauses waiving their right to sue in court. Following significant criticism and litigation, Uber modified its terms to exempt sexual assault and harassment claims from mandatory arbitration, allowing survivors to pursue these claims in court with jury trials. However, the specific terms and their applicability continue evolving, making experienced legal counsel essential.
Uber may argue it cannot be held liable for criminal acts by independent contractor drivers. However, courts have increasingly recognized that companies can be held accountable for negligently enabling foreseeable harm, regardless of the employment classification of the direct perpetrator. The nature of the rideshare service—creating intimate encounters between strangers—makes sexual assault a foreseeable risk that companies must take reasonable steps to prevent.
Seeking Justice and Compensation
Survivors of Uber driver sexual assault should prioritize their immediate safety and wellbeing while preserving evidence that may support legal claims. Reporting to law enforcement creates documentation and may lead to criminal prosecution. Medical examination documents injuries and collects forensic evidence. The ride history within the Uber app provides crucial information identifying the driver and establishing the circumstances.
Consulting with an attorney experienced in rideshare sexual assault cases helps survivors understand their options and the potential value of their claims. Many attorneys handle these sensitive cases on contingency, requiring no upfront payment from survivors. Legal action not only provides compensation for individual harm but contributes to systemic changes that may protect future passengers.