Christina Spicer  |  October 28, 2022

Category: Legal News

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Is it wise to take an Uber alone?

The ride-hailing app Uber is popular across the globe, used in 63 countries and more than 700 cities as of December 2018, according to Uber’s own website.

The company has 91 million monthly active users of its service, as well as 3.9 million drivers.

Despite the widespread use of the app, given the reports of drivers assaulting riders and the growing number of Uber sexual assault lawsuits, women and others who take an Uber alone may wonder if it is safe.

Sexual assaults by Uber drivers

After repeated calls for transparency, Uber released a report in 2019 revealing that it knew of over 3,000 sexual assaults that occurred during rides in the United States in 2018 alone, according to The New York Times. The company reportedly pointed out that the number represents just a small fraction of the Uber rides taken; however, advocates pointed out that there were other steps the rideshare company could have taken to protect Uber riders and drivers.

“The numbers are jarring and hard to digest,” Uber’s chief legal officer told New York Times reporters when the data was released. “What it says is that Uber is a reflection of the society it serves.”

Many women say they feel unsafe getting into an Uber or other car from a ride-hailing service, according to a survey by Alarms.org. The survey found that 82% of women included said they use Uber more than Lyft, and 79% said that safety is a factor in that decision.

The most significant factor that helps women passengers feel safe in these situations is that their driver is female, Alarms.org says, with 45% of women surveyed preferring female drivers, 9% preferring male drivers, and 46% with no preference.

These preferences align with data from Alarms.org about harassment in these situations, with 23% of women surveyed saying they’ve had an “uncomfortable encounter” with an Uber driver; about 8% said they’ve gotten police involved because of an Uber driver’s behavior.

Women riders have reported being hit on, being contacted by the driver after their ride had concluded, and generally feeling uncomfortable. Some women surveyed said they were assaulted, or that the driver attempted to assault them. Women involved in the survey noted their various tactics for staying safe in these situations, such as only riding if a friend is with them, paying careful attention to the driver’s profile and reviews, or even carrying a gun.

What has the company done to make it safe to take an Uber alone?

In response to concern about safety, Uber has implemented measures it says helps keep riders safe.

Uber has reportedly implemented a range of new safety features in an effort to respond to safety concerns. Some of the new safety features implemented to better protect passengers include not only background checks, but changes to the Uber app.

Uber says it conducts a “multi-step safety screen” on everyone who wants to become a driver. The screen includes a check for driving violations, impaired driving, and crime. In addition, the company says that it now re-screens drivers each year and keeps tabs throughout the year.

The company has implemented technology on the Uber app to help riders in the event of an emergency. According to the Uber website, if a rider calls 911, the app will display the rider’s location to share with the 911 dispatcher.

Uber says it has also developed a resource called RideCheck. RideCheck uses sensors, according to the Uber website, to help check if a trip goes extremely off-course or if there is a car wreck.

Other safety tips to take an Uber alone

In a perfect world, women and others would not have to worry about safety tips to take an Uber alone; however, sexual assaults and other violence still happens.

There are some key red flags to look out for when taking an Uber, according to two rideshare drivers who talked to Huffington Post reporters. These include:

  • The license plate does not match the information in the Uber app
  • Other information, including the make and model or driver not matching information in the Uber app
  • The driver does not know the rider’s name or destination
  • The driver asks the rider to sit in the front seat
  • The driver seems inebriated or otherwise compromised

In addition, experts recommend riders not get too inebriated if they plan to take an Uber alone at the end of the night. Also, though Uber performs background checks, riders shouldn’t assume their drivers are safe people.

Is it wise to take an Uber alone?“I’ve never personally been concerned about registered drivers doing something dangerous,” one expert told The Huffington Post. “That’s because the background checks are strong enough that they’d have to be really stupid to do something and think they’ll get away with it.”

“But some people are that stupid,” he pointed out.

Riders should also sit in the back passenger side seat if they are traveling alone, reported the experts. This makes drivers feel more comfortable and allows the rider to see what the driver is doing.

Further, if possible, experts told reporters that riders should try to catch the ride in a populated area that is well lit and think about using a different location rather than their home to get dropped off.

Has an Uber sexual assault lawsuit been filed?

Indeed, a number of Uber sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against the company by women who say they were attacked by their driver.

A Washington DC woman has lodged a $10 million lawsuit against Uber alleging that she was sexually assaulted by her Uber driver, Raul E. Rodriguez Vasquez, in 2018, reports The Verge. The woman says that Uber failed to protect her and other women from the risk of assault, instead portraying their service as a safe way to get home after a night of drinking.

In 2018, CNN reported that its investigation revealed 103 Uber drivers had been accused of sexually assaulting riders. Many of these passengers have gone on to file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit. This investigation was followed up by Uber’s own report that revealed thousands more sexual assaults reported while using the service.

Uber is not the only rideshare service that has been hit with litigation over sexual assault. Lyft  has been hit with its own share of lawsuits, and recently released its own safety report showing more than 4,000 assaults between 2017 and 2019.

Uber sexual assault lawsuits

Women allege that while Uber represented itself as a safe option for a ride home, the company failed to ensure that its drivers were safe. Historically, Uber did not implement sufficient safety measures to ensure ride safety, according to lawsuits filed against the rideshare company. Even now, despite background checks, riders (especially those traveling alone) may be at risk.

If you have suffered from sexual assault while using Uber or Lyft, you should report the driver, and may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by sexual assault, but it can at least help to alleviate any financial burden associated with medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more, as well as hold the person responsible — and the company behind them — accountable for their actions, and also for their inaction.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially over something as serious and traumatic as sexual assault, 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.

Join a free Lyft, Uber driver sexual assault lawsuit investigation

If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver in the last two years, you may qualify to join this rideshare driver sexual assault lawsuit investigation. 

See if you qualify by filling out the form on this page for a free case evaluation by experienced sexual assault attorneys. 

Get a Free Case Evaluation

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

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