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Sexual assault during an Uber ride is not a rare or isolated event. It is part of a documented, nationwide pattern that has left thousands of survivors seeking accountability from one of the world’s largest ride-sharing companies.
Recent investigations and court filings show that Uber has received hundreds of thousands of reports of sexual assault and misconduct, while thousands of civil lawsuits now move through federal and state courts. Survivors allege that Uber failed to implement meaningful safety measures, ignored warning signs about dangerous drivers, and prioritized growth over rider protection.
At Hilliard Law, we represent survivors of rideshare and uber sexual assault in civil lawsuits across the country. These cases focus not only on the individual attacker, but on whether rideshare companies’ corporate practices allowed preventable harm to occur.
If you were assaulted during an Uber ride, understanding how these lawsuits work can help you decide your next steps.
Uber’s Own Data Reveals the Scope of the Problem
Between 2017 and 2022, Uber recorded more than 400,000 reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States — an average of nearly one report every eight minutes.
In its most recent safety report, Uber acknowledged 2,717 sexual assault reports in just 2021–2022 alone, spanning conduct from non-consensual touching to rape. Independent investigations suggest that many drivers accused of misconduct remained active on the platform even after complaints.
Survivor advocates also emphasize that sexual assault remains vastly underreported. National estimates indicate that roughly two-thirds of sexual assaults never reach law enforcement or corporate reporting systems.
Taken together, these figures point to a systemic safety failure, not isolated misconduct.
Why Survivors Are Suing Uber and Not Just Drivers
Criminal cases focus on the attacker. Civil lawsuits focus on corporate responsibility.
Uber has long argued that it cannot be held liable because drivers are classified as independent contractors. Survivors argue something different: that Uber controls the platform, sets safety policies, markets itself as a safe alternative to drunk driving, and profits from every ride while failing to take reasonable steps to protect passengers.
Civil claims against Uber typically allege:
- Inadequate background checks
- Failure to remove drivers after prior complaints
- Lack of meaningful driver monitoring
- Ignoring internal risk data
- Delayed or abandoned safety features
- Failure to warn riders of known dangers
- Design choices that increase vulnerability during late-night rides
Internal records revealed that Uber developed tools capable of reducing assault risk, including high-risk driver identification algorithms, in-car camera proposals, and same-gender matching, but postponed or limited many of those measures due to cost and legal exposure concerns.
Thousands of these cases now sit consolidated in federal court, with bellwether trials underway to test Uber’s liability.
How Uber Defends These Cases
Uber typically raises several legal defenses:
- Independent Contractor Argument. Uber claims drivers act independently, so the company cannot bear responsibility for criminal conduct. Survivors counter that Uber controls access to riders, sets platform rules, manages complaints, and decides who stays active on the app.
- Arbitration Clauses. Uber often attempts to force cases into private arbitration rather than public courtrooms, limiting transparency and survivor leverage.
- “We Didn’t Know” Defense. Uber argues it could not foresee specific assaults. Plaintiffs point to years of internal safety data and repeated misconduct reports.
These defenses make Uber sexual assault cases complex, but they are far from unwinnable. Successful civil litigation will need to focus on what Uber knew, when it knew it, and what it failed to do.
What an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit Can Recover
Civil claims aim to provide survivors with financial support and accountability, including compensation for:
- Medical treatment
- Counseling and trauma therapy
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term psychological harm
These lawsuits also seek to expose corporate practices and force meaningful safety reforms.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds for a civil lawsuit if:
- You were sexually assaulted during an Uber ride
- The driver had prior complaints or warning signs
- Uber failed to remove or monitor the driver
- The assault occurred while using the Uber platform
- You reported the incident to Uber, police, or medical providers
- Uber failed to respond appropriately after the assault
- You suffered physical or emotional injuries as a result
Even if criminal charges were never filed, civil claims may still be possible.
Holding Rideshare Companies Accountable
Uber has the resources to build safer systems. Survivors should not bear the cost of corporate inaction.
At Hilliard Law, we represent survivors of rideshare sexual assault nationwide from offices in Texas and Chicago. Our attorneys handle complex litigation against powerful corporations and work with trauma-informed professionals throughout the process.
If you or someone you love was sexually assaulted in an Uber or while using any other rideshare service, call (866) 927-3420 or contact us online for a confidential, free consultation. We’re here to help you understand your rights and pursue accountability.