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Uber's History of Sexual Assault Litigation
Uber has faced sexual assault lawsuits from passengers since at least 2014, when early plaintiffs began filing individual actions in state courts across the country. For years, the company fought to keep these cases in arbitration under its terms of service — a strategy that effectively silenced survivors and shielded Uber's internal safety data from public scrutiny. Following the passage of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act in 2022, Uber can no longer compel arbitration in sexual assault claims. Thousands of cases were immediately refiled in court, leading to the consolidation of federal cases in the Northern District of California MDL.
Uber's 2022 U.S. Safety Report disclosed 3,824 sexual assault incidents across 2019 and 2020. Critics noted that the report used a narrow definition of sexual assault that excluded many categories of sexual misconduct, and that Uber's own data acknowledged the report captures only incidents that passengers reported directly to the platform — a small fraction of actual assaults.
Driver Background Check Failures
At the core of Uber sexual assault lawsuits is the allegation that Uber's driver screening process is structurally inadequate. Uber uses a name-based background check system rather than the fingerprint-based checks required for many other transportation workers. Name-based checks miss aliases, crimes committed under different name variations, offenses from states with limited reporting, and international criminal records. Multiple Uber drivers convicted of sexual assault had passed these checks.
Beyond initial onboarding checks, Uber conducts annual re-screening of active drivers. Plaintiffs allege that these annual checks apply the same inadequate methodology as onboarding checks and fail to identify dangerous drivers who accumulate criminal records after joining the platform. Evidence produced in MDL discovery has revealed instances where Uber received passenger assault complaints about a driver and allowed the driver to continue accepting rides without investigation.
What the MDL Means for Your Uber Lawsuit
Filing in the Uber MDL provides access to consolidated discovery that no individual plaintiff could afford alone. MDL discovery has compelled Uber to produce millions of internal documents including driver complaint records, safety team communications, and executive-level discussions about the platform's assault problem. Bellwether trials — test cases selected to evaluate likely jury outcomes — inform global settlement values for all MDL plaintiffs. An attorney can advise whether federal MDL or your home state court is the better venue for your specific case.
Key data
Data & Statistics
3,824 sexual assaults disclosed by Uber for 2019-2020
Uber U.S. Safety Report 2022
MDL No. 3084 — thousands of cases consolidated in N.D. California
JPML Order (2023)
Uber controls approximately 70% of the U.S. rideshare market
Bloomberg Second Measure 2025
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Guides
- Campus Rideshare Sexual AssaultCollege students are among the most frequent rideshare users and face elevated risk of rideshare assault, particularly during late-night bar hours. Campus assaults may involve Title IX considerations if any university nexus exists, and minor plaintiffs have extended time to file civil claims due to SOL tolling until age 18.
- SANE Exam: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner EvidenceA sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) exam is the gold standard for documenting physical evidence of sexual assault. SANE exams are available at no cost to survivors at most hospital emergency departments and rape crisis centers, and the evidence collected can support both criminal prosecution and civil litigation — but you do not need a SANE exam to pursue a civil claim.
- PTSD and Psychiatric Injury as Compensable DamagesPost-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric injuries caused by rideshare sexual assault are fully compensable as non-economic damages in civil litigation. Psychiatric injury is often the largest component of damages in assault cases — and it can be documented, quantified, and presented to juries through treating clinicians and forensic psychology experts.
- Rideshare Assault Claims Involving MinorsWhen a minor is assaulted during a rideshare trip, their parent or guardian can file a civil claim on their behalf, and the statute of limitations is tolled (suspended) until the child turns 18. This means more time is available to file, but consulting an attorney as soon as possible is still important to preserve evidence and understand the child's rights.
- Reporting Rideshare Sexual AssaultReporting a rideshare assault is entirely your decision. You are not required to report to Uber, Lyft, or law enforcement to pursue a civil claim. Understanding your reporting options — and what each pathway involves — can help you make an informed decision that feels right for you.
- Rideshare Assault MDL Status in 2026As of early 2026, both the Uber and Lyft sexual assault MDLs are in active pre-trial proceedings in the Northern District of California. Discovery is ongoing, bellwether trial selections are underway, and global settlement discussions are reported to be in progress. Joining the MDL now — while proceedings are active — provides access to the benefits of consolidated discovery and positions your case favorably for any global resolution.
- Lyft Sexual Assault LawsuitLyft faces its own multi-district litigation for sexual assault claims, consolidated separately from Uber's MDL in the Northern District of California. Lyft's smaller market share produces proportionally comparable assault allegations, with similar claims of inadequate background checks, failure to remove dangerous drivers, and insufficient passenger safety infrastructure.
- Rideshare Driver Background ChecksUber and Lyft driver background checks use name-based database searches that miss criminal records under aliases, from states with limited reporting, and from international jurisdictions. This is structurally weaker than fingerprint-based checks required of taxi drivers, school employees, and healthcare workers in most states — and that structural gap is at the center of most rideshare assault lawsuits.
- Uber Safety Report Data: What the Numbers Really MeanUber's 2022 U.S. Safety Report disclosed 3,824 sexual assault incidents across 2019 and 2020 — but this figure represents only assaults reported directly to Uber by passengers. With sexual assault reporting rates as low as 1 in 5, the true number of Uber assaults may be many times higher. The report was released only after years of litigation pressure and does not include Uber Eats delivery incidents.
- Rideshare Assault Evidence: What Records ExistRideshare companies maintain extensive digital records for every completed trip including GPS route data, timestamps, driver identity, vehicle information, and complaint histories. Through litigation discovery, your attorney can compel Uber or Lyft to produce these records, which often form critical evidence in sexual assault civil cases.
- Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations by StateCivil statutes of limitations for sexual assault claims have been dramatically extended in most states since 2017, with many states now providing 10-20 years or no time limit at all. If you were assaulted during a rideshare ride, even years ago, please speak with an attorney before concluding your time has passed.
- Anonymous Filing in Rideshare Sexual Assault CasesMany survivors of rideshare sexual assault can pursue civil claims while protecting their identity through pseudonymous filing (Jane Doe or John Doe), protective orders limiting access to identifying information, and confidential settlement agreements. Protecting your privacy is a priority that experienced rideshare assault attorneys are equipped to fight for in every jurisdiction.
- Trauma-Informed Legal Process for SurvivorsPursuing a civil rideshare assault claim does not have to re-traumatize you. Attorneys who specialize in this area of law understand trauma responses, work at your pace, coordinate with your mental health providers, and advocate for procedural protections that minimize the burden on survivors throughout the legal process.
- Criminal vs. Civil Cases: How They InteractCriminal prosecution and civil litigation are entirely separate legal proceedings with different purposes, different standards of proof, and different outcomes. You can pursue a civil claim against Uber, Lyft, and the driver regardless of whether a criminal case exists, is ongoing, or resulted in acquittal. Civil claims are about compensation for your harm; criminal cases are about punishment and public accountability.
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