Lyft and Uber sexual assault lawsuit: MDL updates and claim information

What to know about the Uber and Lyft sexual assault litigation and who may qualify to file a claim

Were you or a loved one sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver? You may have legal options. If you feel ready, you can use the form on this page to share what happened and request a free, confidential case review.

Uber and Lyft have faced a growing number of lawsuits over alleged sexual assaults involving rideshare drivers. Thousands have come forward with disturbing accounts, and many are now seeking compensation and accountability through the legal system.

If you experienced sexual misconduct during a rideshare trip, you may be eligible to pursue a lawsuit.

The law firms responsible for the content of this page are: Simmons Hanly Conroy; Alton, IL; 618-259-2222; Simmonsfirm.com and LegaFi Law LLC (an Arizona law firm), 888-4-LegaFi, www.legafi.com.

Uber sexual assault lawsuit updates – February 2026

The Uber sexual assault multidistrict litigation (MDL) has continued expanding rapidly, with major rulings and bellwether trial outcomes shaping the litigation.

• February 2026: The most recent bellwether trial concludes with the jury awarding $8.5 million to a woman who was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver. The total number of pending cases grows to more than 3,000.
• October 2025: One Uber sexual assault lawsuit ends with a verdict in favor of Uber. Although jurors found Uber was negligent, they ultimately determined the company was not liable.
• September 2025: The New York Times publishes an investigative report examining sexual misconduct complaints between 2017 and 2022. The article states Uber received a complaint every eight minutes and was slow to implement rider safety measures.
• July 2025: The number of cases in the MDL increases to 2,359.
• February 2025: The case count rises to 1,562.
• July 2024: Uber attempts to prevent certain plaintiffs from participating by filing a motion to block users who agreed to a “non-consolidation clause” from joining the MDL.
• June 2024: The number of cases grows to 297.
• October 2023: Approximately 80 rideshare lawsuits are combined to form the Uber sexual assault MDL.

Lyft sexual assault lawsuit updates – February 2026

The Lyft sexual assault litigation is in its early procedural stages, with plaintiffs moving to consolidate claims into a single MDL.

• February 2026: A motion to consolidate is granted. The 17 existing cases are transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and assigned to Judge Rita F. Lin.
• October 2025: Seventeen plaintiffs file a motion seeking to consolidate their sexual assault claims against Lyft into an MDL.

Overview: Uber and Lyft sexual assault lawsuits explained

Uber and Lyft have faced widespread scrutiny over allegations that they failed to protect passengers from sexual assault.

A 2018 CNN investigation uncovered dozens of reports accusing Uber drivers of sexually assaulting or abusing riders. Shortly afterward, Uber released its first safety report, revealing nearly 6,000 sexual assault allegations in 2017 and 2018 — including nearly 500 reports of rape — as well as 19 deaths resulting from physical assaults during rides.

Lyft has faced similar criticism. In 2021, the company published its own safety report documenting more than 4,000 sexual assault reports between 2017 and 2019, including 360 rape allegations and thousands of reports involving non-consensual touching.

Following these disclosures, both companies were hit with lawsuits alleging they failed to implement adequate safety measures, including thorough background checks, effective in-app safety features and appropriate responses to assault complaints.

Types of compensation available in Lyft and Uber sexual assault lawsuits

Those who experienced sexual assault or abuse by a rideshare driver may be entitled to financial compensation. The amount and type of compensation can vary based on the details of each situation, but commonly includes the following:

• Economic damages: These cover the direct financial impact of the assault, such as medical expenses, therapy or counseling costs, lost income and future care needs related to the trauma.
• Non-economic damages: Compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering, anxiety, PTSD and other lasting psychological effects that may not come with a specific price tag but still deeply affect quality of life.
• Punitive damages: In some cases, courts may award additional damages to punish Uber or Lyft for gross negligence or failure to take reasonable steps to protect passengers and drivers.
• Loss of consortium: In certain situations, a spouse or family member may be eligible for compensation due to the emotional and relational impact the assault had on their loved one.

How to file a Lyft or Uber sexual assault claim

If you experienced sexual assault involving an Uber driver or a Lyft driver, you may be eligible to take legal action as part of a rideshare lawsuit.

Filing a claim is free and completely confidential. An experienced rideshare lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the process.

If you feel ready, you can use the form on this page to request a private, confidential case review and learn more about your options.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.