More than 3,000 sexual assaults occurred during Uber rides in 2018, according to the rideshare company’s own study published in late 2019.

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft offer an alternative to taking a taxi. Rideshare companies are also called ride-hailing services, and function by using an app to match riders with nearby drivers.

Uber said it updated technology to ensure drivers are regularly checked for changes in criminal history and driving records, according The New York Times. The company reportedly told the Times that at least 40,000 U.S. drivers were let go after the updated data found issues in background checks.

Uber has a webpage dedicated to “Driving change for women’s safety,” which explains how Uber is trying to help stop sexual assault before it occurs. The company now has a special support team available 24/7 through the app to take reports of a sensitive nature.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Urban Institute helped create classifications to categorize and keep track of the number of sexual misconduct and sexual assault incidents that occur during a ride using Uber.

The words sexual misconduct and sexual assault have different meanings throughout the United States because each state has its own legal definition of these words. The NSVRC and the Urban Institute created a taxonomy that allows Uber to have clear descriptions of unwanted sexual behavior.

Uber Chief Legal Officer Tony West and the Chief Public Affairs Officer for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center published an announcement in November 2018 that detailed the definitions and how Uber is addressing sexual abuse, per ABC News.

Uber said it hopes the taxonomy can be shared among other businesses to help make better-informed policies and decisions to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assault.

Sexual misconduct includes actions such as staring, indecent exposure, verbal threats of sexual assault, and flirting or asking personal questions. Sexual assault includes the attempted touching or kissing, or any non-consensual touching or kissing, of any body part. Sexual assault also includes attempted non-consensual sexual penetration and any completed non-consensual act of the same.

What are the driver requirements for Uber?

While some riders may feel more comfortable riding with an Uber driver of their same gender, Uber does not allow requests for a driver of a particular gender.

The company does, however, have some safety requirements in place for its drivers.

Uber lists several minimum requirements and necessary documentation the company requires before considering a new driving applicant.

Before you can be considered as an Uber driver, you must be the minimum age to drive in your city, have a valid U.S. driver’s license, and use a 4-door vehicle as your Uber mobile. If you’re under the age of 23 years old, you must have at least three years of driving experience in the U.S. As long as you’re over 23, you only need one year of driving experience in the U.S.

Uber also offers drivers who are 19 years of age and older to apply for delivery driver services such as UberEATS.

Required documents include the valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of residency, proof of insurance and a profile photo that is well-lit, no sunglasses and includes your full face and top of your shoulders.

Uber indicates after signing up online to apply as a driver, the company will review your driving record and conduct a criminal background check.

Even if an applicant passes the background check, there’s no guarantee of safety because the person might have committed a crime, but was never convicted. Also, a criminal background check looks at past aberrant behavior, but cannot predict what the person will do in the future.

How much does an Uber cost?

A number of factors affect the amount you will be charged to ride in an Uber, according to Ridester.

Most people aren’t surprised to realize there is a base fare, which is the basic fee to pick you up, and the amount of time and distance for your trip.

Two fees that sometimes take riders by surprise include the booking fee, which is different than the base fare because although both are usually flat fees, the booking fee is for the company’s administrative costs and does not go towards the driver’s fare.

The other fee that some riders don’t expect is the surge variable, which is an adjustable amount based on supply and demand of Uber’s drivers. If you are catching an Uber to a packed concert at a stadium on a Saturday night, you will probably have to pay more than if you are taking an Uber to a home in a residential neighborhood mid-day during the week.

What can you do if you were assaulted during a ride in Uber?

After a traumatic incident like assault, it can be difficult to figure out what to do next. A victim of sexual assault should first find a safe place to go, and reach out to a trusted friend or family member for help and support.

It’s also important to file a police report with the local authorities as soon as possible. Before going home or trying to clean up, it’s important to go to an emergency room or other health care provider who can make sure any DNA evidence on your clothing, personal belongings or your person can be kept intact. If you can keep from even using the bathroom before evidence has been gathered, that is recommended.

Even though it might be tempting to delete the driver’s information from the app, don’t delete any information about the person who assaulted you. Be sure to keep any texts or messages of any type of communication you had with the perpetrator and keep receipts of any charges to your debit or credit card that you used with the app.

Most of the time, you will wish to reach out to an experienced attorney familiar with sexual assault cases. The trauma of such an assault can be overwhelming, and Top Class Actions has found attorneys who can help you take legal action within the statute of limitations in your state.

What damages can you claim from a ride in Uber assault?

If you have been sexually assaulted during a ride in Uber, you may seek compensation for incurring personal injuries, including physical injuries and emotional distress. The person who assaulted you and Uber itself as a company may be found liable, and Uber may be found negligent for hiring the perpetrator in the first place.

Uber sexual assault lawsuits

A number of women have lodged lawsuits against the company after they say they were sexually assaulted or raped during a ride in Uber.

One woman going by “Jane Doe” accuses Uber of negligence in her lawsuit alleging an Uber driver groped her, the New York Post reports. She allegedly fractured her shoulder trying to escape and now suffers from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Uber knew that women who hired Uber to obtain a safe ride home were actually at risk,” she alleges in her lawsuit.

Another lawsuit filed in Massachusetts accuses the company of lax hiring processes for drivers. A woman who says she was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver in 2018 claims the company is trying to dodge costs associated with hiring by failing to run background checks or require training for drivers, The Patriot Ledger reports.

Additionally, a group of women who say there were assaulted by Uber drivers has lodged a proposed class action lawsuit against the company. Uber is attempting to have the claims resolved out of court, CNN Business reported.

Jane Doe alleged that the company fails to appropriately monitor drivers and provide other ride safety options, and also fails to protect survivors after an assault.

“Here they are promoting being a safe ride home,” said Jane Doe. “I had no clue you would basically be on your own if this happens.

“Uber doesn’t take any responsibility for anything,” she said.

Uber is not the only rideshare app to be hit with sexual assault litigation. Lyft, the other major player on the U.S. rideshare scene, has also been named in a number of lawsuits. Recently, Lyft released its own safety report, revealing more than 4,000 reported assaults between 2017 and 2019.

Filing an Uber sexual assault lawsuit

If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault while using a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by assault, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.