Yahoo Finance reports on how the team at Estey & Bomberger is alarmed that Lyft, with its well documented sexual assault history and failure to address predatory drivers, is being given access to vulnerable women through a recently announced agreement with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). Lyft and RAINN just announced a partnership to offer free rides to victims of sexual violence fleeing their abusers.
“Lyft drivers are wolves in sheep’s clothing,” attorney Mike Bomberger said. “We know Lyft has been a haven for sexual predators. The harmless-looking Lyft driver disguised as a trusting resource with RAINN’s stamp of approval may actually be a sexual predator waiting to pick up vulnerable women.”
Research indicates that sexual predators identify and then prey on vulnerable victims.
Estey & Bomberger, has filed lawsuits on behalf of 37 victims against Lyft, alleging that the ride-hailing company failed to protect passengers from rape and sexual assault by its drivers.
Attorney Steve Estey points to five Lyft business practices outlined in four lawsuits that make this partnership potentially dangerous for women:
- When a driver is accused of sexual assault or rape, Lyft has a long history of refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.
- Lyft drivers that assault passengers are allowed to continue driving and assault other passengers.
- Hiring drivers with questionable backgrounds, including some with a history of other assaults and others with domestic violence charges.
- Allowing vehicles not registered to a driver to be used to transport passengers.
- The company refuses to take preventative measures by equipping vehicles with electronic audio and video recording devices.
“The failure of Lyft to provide a safe platform seems to encourage sexual predators to join the Lyft platform,” Estey said.
This is not the first partnership between Lyft and RAINN. Days after Estey & Bomberger filed their first lawsuit against Lyft, the company announced an agreement to use RAINN to create a mandatory Community Safety Education program for drivers. The initiative ultimately allowed Lyft drivers to gain credit by merely hitting the play button on their browser.
Estey & Bomberger filed its first lawsuit against Lyft in September of 2019 on behalf of 14 victims. The law firm then filed three more lawsuits against Lyft in December of 2019 on behalf of 23 total victims. The firm is representing more than 100 women who have been raped or sexually assaulted by ride-hailing drivers.
Lyft and Uber sexual assault victims, along with former employees of these two ride-hailing firms, are urged to contact us online or by calling (866) 964-1708.