In the age of the gig economy, Uber and Lyft are giants — but according to many passengers, these services also have a dark side. Dozens of women have filed complaints against the two companies claiming they were assaulted by Lyft and Uber drivers.

With lawsuits piling up against both popular rideshare companies, it’s unclear whether passengers are safer riding with Uber versus Lyft, or vice versa.

Lyft was long seen as the safer alternative to the “frat culture” of Uber, but that characterization may have since been proven wrong, USA Today reports. Attorneys representing Lyft assault victims cite the high number of suits, the severity of the allegations, and the relatively larger size of Uber versus Lyft.

Uber versus Lyft driver overview

One of the reasons Uber and Lyft drivers behave differently is because they’re targeting different riders, according to Ridester. Uber is focused on business people and as such provides a quiet and professional route from A to B. Compare this with the sentiment implied by one of Lyft’s common slogans: “Your friend with a car.” Uber is also expanding its services into the luxury market and employing professional, commercially licensed drivers for this purpose.

Furthermore, while Uber offers an equivalent to every Lyft service and generally charges similar local rates for basic services, drivers may be able to make more money by offering more expensive services through Uber.

Uber and Lyft background check

All Uber and Lyft drivers must undergo a series of screening processes, beginning with a background check. All drivers also have to pass a DMV record check, possess a valid driver’s license, have a Social Security number, own a vehicle with car insurance and valid registration, and have at least a year of licensed driving experience. Critics of Uber and Lyft’s screening processes argue that drivers should be further required to complete a fingerprint scan since Social Security numbers can be faked.

What does the Lyft background check look for?

Both Lyft and Uber use background checks to screen drivers, and both generally look for the same red flags. The companies check for any felony convictions. Drivers with any history of sexual offenses should be flagged and disqualified by this process. Anyone with a history of violent crimes or drug-related offenses will also be disqualified from driving for either of the companies.

Uber and Lyft both use background checks to ensure passenger safety, but there are ways for potential drivers to avoid disqualification. For instance, Social Security numbers used for the purpose of background checks can be falsified, USA Today notes.

Current assault lawsuits against Uber

By far, more assault complaints have been directed at Uber versus Lyft. According to a groundbreaking report from within the company, Uber received a total of nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assault in 2017 and 2018. The allegations ranged from unwanted kissing to rape, but not all of them resulted in legal action. By the end of 2019, however, multiple civil suits had been filed against the company.

Uber was sued 11 times in 2019 alone, Bloomberg Law reports. Since 2014, there have been at least 30 cases filed against Uber alleging abuse perpetrated by drivers.

Lyft, on the other hand, managed to avoid most civil litigation of this kind until 2019. In December 2019, 22 people joined to file a lawsuit against Lyft surrounding allegations of abuse.

But now, Lyft has come out with its own safety report, including sexual assault statistics. More than 4,000 assaults were reported between 2017 and 2019. Lyft’s promise to release the report came shortly after Uber’s safety report made waves, but Lyft waited nearly another two years to publish its own statistics.

Uber versus Lyft: Which one is safer?

The safety measures taken by both companies are similar: background checks, providing driver information to riders, and in-app panic-buttons. Riders can verify their driver’s name, vehicle model and color, and license plate number.

Your driver should also already know your name through the app, so ask them what your name is before getting their car. If they don’t know your name, then they are not legitimate.

If you become uncomfortable or feel threatened once you’re already in the car, there are other safety measures in place. Panic buttons allow riders to dial 911 from the ride-sharing apps and automatically share their ride information. Both apps also allow riders to share their ride information with a trusted contact in order to make sure they arrive as expected.

However, there are some key differences in the apps, distinguishing Uber versus Lyft. Reportedly, you can call 911 directly from Uber’s app, but with Lyft, you must call from the app’s safety center. 

Uber’s app also has a RideCheck feature intended to help protect riders. This feature reportedly uses GPS data and sensors that enable Uber’s app to detect unusual activity. According to MarieClaire.com, the Uber app can detect if a driver is diverting from the specified route. In the instances that the app detects something unusual, Uber operators will contact the rider to check on their safety.

Lyft is working on developing a feature that also checks in during the ride. It would reportedly have the ability to identify if a ride has stopped before it reaches its specified destination, or if it has stopped for an extended period of time. These kinds of stops may indicate that the rider could be in danger, so Lyft would communicate with the rider to determine if they are safe or if emergency services are needed.

Marie Claire discusses safety strategies for those who wish to use rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber. The magazine advises riders to investigate each app’s safety features before getting in a car. If you find yourself in an unsafe situation, or if you simply feel uncomfortable, an existing familiarity with the app will allow you to act quickly to protect yourself. 

While the safety options of these companies are similar, Ridester argues that Uber has the edge when it comes to safety. This is largely due to the fact that luxury services offered by Uber use professional commercially licensed drivers.

However, for basic rides, Lyft’s unique color matching system may make its services the safer option. This system allows riders to check that they’ve identified the correct vehicle by pairing a color on the app with a color shown on the car’s dashboard.

Of course, leaving your safety to any rideshare app — no matter how trusted — is unwise. External apps are available with video recording and panic button capabilities. Make a call to a friend so that the driver knows you’ve got people aware of your situation, and make sure to give your friend a time frame for when they should hear back from you, then share your location and make sure to mention this out loud.

While riding, pay attention to your surroundings and track your own route through your maps app.

Ride with a buddy when possible, and remember to never share personal information like where you work or how they can contact you. If they’re dropping you off at work or your home, have them drop you off nearby so you don’t actually give them your work or home address.

Rideshare sexual assault litigation

More and more rideshare users are coming forward with allegations of sexual assault.

If you have suffered from sexual assault, abuse, or other misconduct while using a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft, you 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 and more, as well as hold the person responsible — and the company behind them — accountable.

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.