Uber and Lyft assault claims in New York

Federal Consolidation — Uber MDL 3084 (N.D. Cal.): New York Uber plaintiffs are part of MDL No. 3084 before Judge Charles R. Breyer in San Francisco. New York City is one of the top rideshare markets in the MDL with a large plaintiff volume from the five boroughs. New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission separately licenses rideshare drivers, creating an additional layer of regulatory evidence available in discovery.

New York Statute of Limitations — Adult Survivors Act: New York CPLR § 208-b (Adult Survivors Act) opened a one-year lookback window from November 24, 2022 to November 23, 2023, during which survivors could file claims regardless of when the assault occurred. That window is now closed. Going forward, New York's standard SOL for intentional tort (assault/battery) is one year, while negligence claims against corporate defendants carry a three-year SOL under CPLR § 214. The discovery rule may further toll the SOL where the survivor did not recognize the connection between the assault and Uber/Lyft's negligence.

New York Rideshare Regulations and Mandatory Reporting: New York Vehicle & Traffic Law Article 44-B regulates TNCs statewide, while New York City TLC rules impose additional driver screening and vehicle requirements. New York's mandatory reporting law (Social Services Law § 413) requires certain professionals to report child abuse; adult sexual assault is reported under Criminal Procedure Law. New York is one of the few states that fingerprints TLC-licensed drivers in New York City, a standard plaintiffs argue should apply statewide and nationally to rideshare drivers.