Michigan Uber & Lyft Driver Sex Assault Lawyer

Our Michigan Uber sex assault lawyers help victims of assaultive conduct by drivers. We also handle cases against Lyft and other transportation companies for passengers who are sexually assaulted by drivers. Victims may be entitled to a substantial settlement under the law.

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have become a popular means for people to obtain transportation in cities around the world. With the touch of a button, a person can request a ride from the closest rideshare driver in their area. However, people do not really know who they are requesting these rides from.

Unfortunately, the past ten years have seen an increase in incidents of sexual assault and misconduct committed by rideshare drivers. Many drivers are not properly screened by the companies, and others are essentially put in a position to prey on vulnerable and unsuspecting passengers.

People who have suffered assault at the hands of rideshare drivers should have the right to demand compensation with the help of a sex assault attorney. A Michigan Uber driver sexual assault lawyer can help victims understand their legal rights and pursue lawsuits that demand proper payment for their losses.

• Uber and Lyft Sex Assault Lawsuits 
• Can I File an Uber or Lyft Sex Assault Lawsuit?
• How Much are Settlements for Lawsuits Against Uber & Lyft?
• Statute of Limitations for Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits
• Frequently Asked Questions

Information About Uber & Lyft

Uber is a rideshare company based in San Francisco, California. According to its website, Uber has made 10 billion trips worldwide and has over ninety million active platform users. The company operates in over 700 cities and completes 14 million trips every day. There are almost 4 million Uber drivers.

Lyft is also a rideshare company based in San Francisco. It is the biggest competitor to Uber and is gaining market share. Lyft has over 23 million users worldwide and is available in over 350 cities in the United States.

Are Drivers Considered Employees of Uber & Lyft?

A U.S. labor agency recently determined that Uber drivers were independent contractors and not employees of the company. The same ruling applies to drivers of Lyft and other similar companies. This ruling was a big win for rideshare companies because drivers are not entitled to the same benefits as company employees and cannot form a union to bargain for their rights.

However, this does not mean that Uber & Lyft are not liable for physical assaults, including sexual assaults and rapes, by their drivers. Many lawsuits have been successfully filed and won against the companies for acts committed by their drivers.

The Threat of Sex Assaults for Rideshare Users

Many rideshare users are women and teenagers. There are many types of sexual assaults ranging from forcible rape to unwanted sexual contact. Groping and non-consensual touching are also forms of sex assaults, even if over a person’s clothing when done without a person’s consent.

Uber and Lyft purport to perform background checks and thorough screening for all their drivers. However, accepting one of these rides involves getting into the car of a complete stranger. This is not to say that the victims of sexual assault share any blame for an attack, but rather that Uber and Lyft should take more aggressive steps to provide protection. Sadly, they have failed in this duty many times and passengers have become the victims of sexual predators.

Sex Assault Lawsuits Filed Against Uber & Lyft

Many lawsuits have been filed against the rideshare companies for the criminal conduct of their drivers. Many of these cases have resulted in large settlements.

As of 2018, 103 separate allegations of sexual abuse have arisen against Uber drivers. Many of these are by women and men alleging they were raped by the drivers. Some of these incidents have resulted in criminal investigations and convictions against the drivers in question. Recently, a Washington D.C. woman has sued both Uber and a driver for $10 million as a result of a sexual assault committed by a driver.

As of October 2019, more than 30 women have sued Lfyt alleging they were raped, kidnapped, or assaulted by Lyft drivers. The lawsuit Complaints detail the terror and horror experienced by the female victims. The cases demand significant settlements resulting from these violent attacks.

The civil lawsuits are based upon a number of legal theories. These include that the companies failed to properly screen drivers and hired a driver with a history of sexual assaults or other criminal behavior. The cases also allege that Uber and Lyft failed to keep passengers safe from sexual assaults and attacks.

Lawsuits also argue that Uber and Lyft were negligent by not providing a safe environment for their customers. Further, these claims allege the companies did not provide proper warning concerning the dangers of using its service, especially when these companies advertise themselves as a safe alternative for people who may be intoxicated or otherwise incapacitated. These are people especially vulnerable to attacks by sexual predators and criminals.

Can I File an Uber or Lyft Sex Assault Lawsuit ?

If you were the victim of a sexual assault or rape by an Uber or Lyft driver, you can sue both the driver and rideshare company.

Lawsuits against Uber aim not only to seek compensation but also to highlight systemic safety failures and push for necessary reforms. The goal is to ensure that Uber implements more stringent safety measures to protect future passengers.

Recently, a court allowed more than 1,600 Uber sex assault cases to continue before the same judge. Lawsuits are being filed by sex assault survivors across the United States demanding large settlements against the company. You can sue Uber if you were sexually assaulted by a driver.

Uber has transformed transportation, but with its growth, a dark side has emerged. The company receives between 3,000 to 7,000 reports of alleged sexual assault reported annually, with 61% of incidents involving riders as victims. These alarming numbers underscore the gravity of the situation and the critical need for accountability regarding the actions of Uber drivers.

Our lawyers will perform a thorough investigation of the matter. We will have our investigators interview witnesses and look for surveillance video. We will also get the digital and cell phone records for both the victim and driver to chronicle the minute-by-minute events leading up to, during, and after the attack.

Finally, we will do an extensive background search of the driver to find previous incidents of criminal behavior and other complaints of misconduct. If the evidence supports your case, we will file an Uber sex assault lawsuit to demand compensation for the victim. Our attention to the smallest details helps us win the largest settlements.

How Much are Settlements for Lawsuits Against Uber & Lyft?

The amount of a settlement depends on the facts of each specific case. There are no “average” or “typical” settlement amounts in rideshare assault cases. This is simply because every case is completely different and the harm suffered by the victim varies from case to case.

In addition, every state has its own laws on damages. These are the laws that determine the types and amounts of compensation that can be claimed by a victim. Some states allow for punitive and exemplary damages while other states do not allow a plaintiff to claim those types of compensation.

Compensation in Uber sexual assault lawsuits can encompass both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical costs, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the assault. Non-economic damage covers emotional suffering, psychological trauma, and the broader impact on the survivor’s life.

Victims are required to provide evidence of damages, including medical expenses and emotional distress, to support their claims. Variables such as evidence of the severity of assault, physical harm, and mental anguish are factored into compensation and jury awards.

Settlement amounts for Uber sexual assault claims can vary widely, typically ranging from $300,000 to $800,000, with some cases exceeding $1 million based on the severity of the assault. Factors that can enhance case value include documentation of psychological treatment and the presence of prior complaints against the driver.

Statute of Limitations for Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits

The statute of limitations for filing an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit in Michigan is generally three years from the date of the assault. This means you must file your lawsuit within three years, or your case will be barred. However, the period can be extended if the victim was a minor.

Also, new Michigan legislation may further extend the lawsuit filing deadline for victims. It is important to contact our experienced Uber sex assault lawsuit lawyers today to start your case.

Contact a Michigan Uber & Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer Today

If you or someone you care about was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver, call the experienced lawyers at Buckfire Law today. We will listen to your story and explain how we can help you win a great settlement to compensate you for the harm you suffered from the assault.

We do not charge any money to handle your case, and we only receive a fee if you win a settlement. If your case is unsuccessful for any reason, you owe us nothing!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I have been sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver?

If you have been sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver, it is imperative that you document all details of the incident, seek medical attention immediately, and contact an experienced Uber sexual assault lawyer to explore your legal options.

How long do I have to file an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit?

You typically have three years to file an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit but this deadline may be extended in some cases.  Find out if you qualify for the extension of the deadline.

What types of compensation can I receive in an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit?

In an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit, you may receive compensation for economic damages such as medical costs and lost income, as well as non-economic damages for emotional suffering and psychological trauma.