San Jose media outlets are reporting that city leaders are working to force rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, to forward reports of sexual assault to San Jose police. On Thursday, December 1st, 2022, the mayor of San Jose, representatives of the police department, and the district attorney said if the new law is approved, it will help law enforcement with their sexual assault investigations by making rideshare companies share internal information. The group of lawmakers and enforcers emphasized that the new law is will protect victims and their privacy.
A Lack of Support for Survivors
NBC Bay Area reports that a Lyft driver named Zelia was allegedly attacked by a passenger. Still recovering from her injuries, Zelia is hopeful that the new proposed law will help aid victims and assist in tracking down sexual predators. According to a statement she made to NBC Bay Area, Zelia said she received, “no emotional or financial support from the company and that new training only gives drivers a false sense of being protected.”
More Needs to Be Done to Protect Uber and Lyft Customers
This law will not only help drivers who are victimized by passengers, but passengers who are assaulted by drivers as well. While this new legislation will assist law enforcement with investigations, the team at Estey & Bomberger believes rideshare companies need to do more to protect their customers from being assaulted in the first place.
The first step would be to require more strict background checks. Unfortunately, the screening process used by rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft still allow sexual predators to slip through and become drivers. Our team of compassionate attorneys represents dozens of survivors who have been assaulted by drivers who passed the required background checks. While these companies say passenger safety is a top priority, in our experience, that is simply not the case.
We Have Your Back
If you or a loved one has survived a sexual assault by an Uber or Lyft driver, our trauma informed law firm can help. We offer more than just world class legal counsel, our team includes certified sexual assault advocates that can provide resources to clients to help them move forward from these difficult times. We offer free, confidential consultations and never charge a fee unless we win. Our team also understands the importance of maintaining our client’s confidentiality, and will do everything in our power to ensure your identity remains anonymous. To schedule a free consultation, or to to learn more about how we can help, contact us today.