File a Lawsuit Against Uber for Sexual Assault Today
If so, you are not alone and we can help. Thousands of women have been sexually assaulted by their Uber drivers, and as a result, many women all over the U.S. are filing lawsuits against Uber. Our firm has extensive experience handling Uber lawsuits and we are dedicated to helping you.
Understanding the Legal Grounds for Suing Uber for Sexual Assault
It is important to understand the what is considered sexual harassment and what legally qualifies for a sexual assault lawsuit. During a free and confidential case evaluation, one of our compassionate team members will listen to you and answer any questions you may have regarding your sexual assault claim.
While inappropriate comments made by a rideshare driver are considered sexual harassment, unfortunately they are not legal grounds for a sexual assault case.
You may have cause for legal action for any inappropriate conduct by an Uber driver, including:
- Unauthorized touching of any body part
- Unwarranted oral sex
- Nonconsensual penetration
- Any other unwanted sexual act
If you have experienced any of the qualified inappropriate conduct listed above, we encourage you to contact law enforcement immediately so that they can document the incident details. You may also reach out to our law firm where a personal injury lawyer can walk you through the process of filing a sexual assault lawsuit.
Steps to Take After Experiencing Sexual Assault by an Uber Driver
It can be difficult to know what to do following an Uber sexual assault. A number of our clients have reported receiving little or no help from Uber when trying to report incidents of sexual assault by one of their drivers. For over twenty years, our compassionate sexual assault lawyers have assisted survivors of sexual assault work through their traumatic experiences. We offer this step-by-step guide to help guide Uber sexual assault victim:
Step 1: Contact local police and file a report immediately
Before you do anything else, contact the police. This allows law enforcement to document the incident, collect evidence, conduct an investigation, arrest the driver, and forward the case to the district attorney.
You may request to have a female officer present during the interview if it helps you feel more at ease. You have the right to keep your identity confidential. Request that police keep you anonymous during their reporting.
Ask the police notify Uber. You have no obligation to report the attack to the rideshare company.
Step 2: Consider a SART or SANE exam
A SART or SANE exam is an evidentiary medical exam following a sexual assault. The name of the exam may vary depending on your location, but they refer to the same procedure. By law, sexual assault victims are entitled to an examination free of cost.
The police should help you find an examination center when you file your report with law enforcement. If not, a medical care provider can provide the exam. Otherwise, your city or county health and human services agency can provide information as to where to obtain an examination.
Keep in mind, for the evidence obtained from a SART or SANE exam to be used in court, the examination must be conducted within 120 hours (or five days) of the sexual assault.
Step 3: Take detailed notes
This may be difficult, but document everything you can remember about the crime using a voice note app or via written notes. It is natural for sexual assault survivors to suppress memories of the event, but notes will help you recall the incident details in the future. This can assist in the prosecution of the perpetrator. Detailed notes taken when the memories are still fresh can also help during the civil lawsuit timeline, which can take significant time.
Step 4: Turn to friends and family for support
This was not your fault, and there is no need to blame yourself or feel ashamed of what happened. Friends and family can ease the pain of this hardship with compassion, comfort, and support.
Step 5: Pursue medical treatment and therapy
Any physical injuries should be addressed immediately by seeking medical attention. We recommend you also seek out a counselor who specializes in the trauma that accompanies surviving a sexual assault. A therapist can provide techniques and strategies to help cope with the anxiety and depression you may experience.
Step 6: Consult a personal injury attorney
Once you have taken the steps that will assist in your recovery, reach out to an attorney. The statute of limitations varies by state, but typically survivors of Uber sexual assault have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. It is important to reach out to an attorney with a track record of successfully advocating for sexual assault survivors. Our lawyers have a 100% record standing up on behalf of clients against rideshare companies. If you are considering filing a sexual assault lawsuit against an Uber driver, feel free to contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.
Seeking Legal Assistance: Finding the Right Attorney for Your Uber Assault Case
Sexual assault lawsuits against giant companies such as Uber require special attention in order to achieve justice and fair compensation. There are countless personal injury lawyers throughout the country who will take an Uber sexual assault case, but only a select handful of law firms can provide our level of attorney-client relationship.
For over twenty years, the team at Estey & Bomberger, LLP., has advocated for the rights of sexual assault victims. We have led class action lawsuits against Uber and won. In fact, our record of success is 100% when it comes to Uber sexual assault lawsuits. We provide more than just world-class legal counsel, however. Our compassionate team includes certified sexual assault victim advocates who are here for our clients whenever they need to reach out for support.
We understand the difficulties you are facing and do everything within our power to help our clients recover from the trauma they have suffered. Our approach to the attorney-client relationship means we want nothing more than to help you close this dark chapter in your life. Our team will work with you to provide the resources you need to heal. To learn more, or to schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact us today.
Compensation Options for Victims of Sexual Assault by Uber Drivers
During your free and confidential case evaluation, we will answer any questions you may have regarding a sexual assault settlement. While every case is unique, there are general guidelines provided by personal injury law that outline the damages an Uber sexual assault survivor can claim. These include:
- Current medical expenses
- Recurring medical expenses such as prescription medication and therapy costs
- Lost wages due to recovering from the incident
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Legal fees, including lawyer and court fees
While your personal injury lawyer will be working diligently to ensure you receive the just compensation you deserve, our certified sexual assault victim advocates will be here for you to help support you in your time of need. Our compassionate team has a wealth of resources to help clients work through the process of coping with a sexual assault, and we are available whenever you need to talk.
The Truth About Uber Rider Safety
Despite their marketing practices that present Uber as a secure transportation option, their own safety reports paint a different picture when you dive into the data. Uber’s latest self-reported safety report, which covers the years 2019 and 2020, outlines the enormous volume of rides the mobile app provides to users:
- In 2019, 1.4 billion trips were taken in the United States
- In 2020, 2.1 billion trips were taken in the United States
While they go on to state that 99.9% of trips end without any safety-related issues, that means one in every thousand did have an issue. When you expand that factor to scale:
- 1 safety issues for every 1,000 trips
- 10 safety issues for every 10,000 trips
- 100 safety issues to every 100,000 trips
- 1,000 safety issues for every 1,000,000 trips
- 10,000 safety issues for every 10,000,000 trips
- 100,000 safety issues for every 100,000,000 trips
- 1,000,000 safety issues for every 1,000,000,000 trips
In other words, for the total 2.1 billion trips taken in the United States in 2019 and 2020, there were roughly 2.1 million safety issues. A stark number in contrast to Uber’s claims of overall rider safety. The report goes on to state that only 0.0002% of trips reported a critical safety incident. Again, at scale, that equates to 420,000 critical safety incidents for the years 2019 and 2020.
Keep in mind, this is a report generated by Uber and only includes reported incidents. It also includes the year 2020, when COVID lockdown restrictions severely limited Uber trips. Overall volume of Uber trips in the US in 2020 were less than half of what they were in 2019. Which means these numbers are not necessarily accurate following the lifting of COVID restrictions.
Uber has yet to release an updated safety report for the years 2021 and 2022. However, it is safe to presume that the volume of trips has only increased in the last two years. If the critical safety incident percentage remains constant at 0.0002%, the corresponding overall number of incidents will have also increased. Hopefully, Uber’s new safety features have helped lower the percentage of critical safety incidents.
Working tirelessly to change the way ride-share companies operate
Companies such as Uber need to improve the way they operate. Their hiring processes require more rigorous background checks so that dangerous predators cannot gain access to helpless passengers. Ride-share companies need to begin to put the safety of their customers before their bottom line. Profits should not be put before people, especially when a company’s business model depends on delivering their customers safely to their destination.
People depend on rideshare companies everyday. This is especially true when trying to do the right thing by not drinking and driving. Unfortunately, due to a less-than-ideal vetting of drivers, as well as lackluster safety features, riders may find themselves with their lives changed forever due to an Uber sexual assault.
Our law firm actively works to improve the safety policies of rideshare companies. Uber needs to change their business model and make the changes necessary to their hiring process in order to eliminate sexual assault incidents. We will continue to advocate for our clients until ride-share companies implement more stringent background checks as well as updated safety measures.
If you or a loved one are in need of a sexual assault lawyer due to an incident involving a rideshare driver, the law firm of Estey & Bomberger is ready to stand by you at every step of the way. To learn more, or to schedule a free and completely confidential case evaluation, contact our compassionate team today.