You requested a ride to get home safely. What happened inside that car was not your fault. It was not an accident. And you are not alone.
Sealed court records revealed that Uber received approximately 400,181 reports of sexual assault and misconduct between 2017 and 2022, averaging one report every eight minutes across the United States. The company’s public safety reports, however, showed 12,522 serious sexual assault cases over five years. The gap between those two numbers is not a rounding error. It is a pattern.
If you were sexually assaulted during an Uber or Lyft ride in California, you have the right to sue. The law does not require a criminal conviction. It requires proof that the company failed to protect you.
At The Law Offices of John C. Ye, we represent survivors of rideshare sexual assault in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Here’s what you need to know about your legal options.
Can You Sue Uber for Sexual Assault in California?
California law allows survivors to file a civil lawsuit against Uber or Lyft regardless of whether the driver was criminally charged or convicted. A civil case and a criminal case are separate and have different standards of proof.
Under California Civil Code section 1714, individuals and companies have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to avoid causing harm to others. Courts have said this rule applies to rideshare companies, too. In October 2025, a California jury found that Uber acted negligently in connection with a sexual assault involving an 18-year-old rider, even though the company ultimately avoided damages in that specific case on causation grounds. Still, the legal world took notice. The jury showed they were willing to hold Uber responsible for being careless.
As of February 2026, there are 3,188 pending Uber sexual assault lawsuits in federal court. Hundreds of Lyft sexual assault lawsuits are moving through California courts separately.
What Makes Rideshare Companies Legally Responsible?
Rideshare companies have spent years saying their drivers are independent contractors, not employees. They argue this should protect them from being held responsible when something goes wrong. But courts and survivors have challenged that idea.
The most common legal argument against Uber and Lyft is negligent hiring and retention. This is a pretty straightforward claim. The company decides who can drive for them. They run the background checks. They also get complaints about certain drivers and sometimes let those drivers keep working anyway.
A 2024 Government Accountability Office report found that California, Texas, Florida, and New York consistently report the highest rates of rideshare-related sexual assaults in the country. The GAO also noted that existing data cannot fully describe the scope of the problem because of widespread underreporting, estimating that only 31% of sexual assaults are ever reported to any authority.
Survivors can also try to hold rideshare companies responsible through third-party liability. Even if a court decides the driver was acting on his own, Uber and Lyft might still be blamed for making the assault possible. This can happen if the companies didn’t have enough safety features, used flawed background checks, or created a culture that cared more about growth than about keeping passengers safe.
What Is Happening With the Lyft and Uber Lawsuits Right Now?
Uber and Lyft are handling the sexual assault cases differently.
The Uber sexual assault cases are grouped in MDL No. 3084 in the Northern District of California. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer is in charge of these cases. The court is now holding bellwether trials, which are early test cases meant to show how juries might react to the evidence.
Lyft is facing over 100 lawsuits in California state courts. In late 2025, there was a motion to combine these cases into a federal MDL of their own. Lyft hasn’t released a safety report since 2021, even though the lawsuits are ongoing and plaintiffs keep pushing for more information.
The California Public Utilities Commission fined Uber $59 million for not handing over data about sexual assault and harassment. In the end, Uber agreed to pay $9 million to support safety programs. Lyft also agreed to a separate $25 million settlement with its shareholders over safety disclosures, but that money went to investors, not survivors.
These cases are moving forward. Survivors who haven’t filed a lawsuit yet should know that timing is important.
What Can Survivors Recover in a Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
If you file a civil lawsuit after a sexual assault in a rideshare, you may be able to recover compensation for
- Medical and therapy costs, including ongoing mental health treatment.
- Lost income if the trauma made it hard for you to work.
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and PTSD.
- Punitive damages if the company’s actions were especially reckless.
If you’re worried about privacy, you can file the lawsuit under your initials or a different name. Courts often allow this in sexual assault cases. Your attorney will also take steps to protect your identity throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue Uber for sexual assault in California if the driver was never arrested?
Yes, you can. Civil lawsuits are separate from criminal cases. You don’t need the driver to be arrested or convicted to ask for compensation. The bar is lower in civil court, and the main question is whether Uber or Lyft failed to keep you safe.
What is a Lyft sexual assault lawsuit, and how is it different from an Uber case?
Both types of lawsuits work the same way. You’re claiming the company was careless by letting unsafe drivers stay on the app. Right now, Lyft cases are mostly in California state court, but there’s a push to combine them into a federal MDL. An attorney can help you figure out which process fits your case.
How does negligent hiring affect my case against Uber or Lyft?
If the driver who assaulted you had past complaints or a record that the company should have noticed, that can help your case. It shows Uber or Lyft failed to catch warning signs. Since they decide who can drive, they’re responsible for their choices about screening and keeping drivers.
Can I remain anonymous if I file a lawsuit?
Yes, you can. Courts often let survivors use initials or another name. Your lawyer will ask for this protection at the start of your case.
How long do I have to file a rideshare sexual assault lawsuit in California?
Usually, you have two years from the date of the assault, under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Some exceptions might give you more time. It’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer soon to be sure about your deadline.
How Does the Legal Process Work for Survivors?
At the Law Offices of John C. Ye, we handle all communication with Uber and Lyft’s legal teams so you do not have to. We gather trip records, driver history, and internal company data. We work with experts who understand how rideshare platforms operate and where they fall short. You focus on your recovery. We handle the case.
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the assault to file a civil claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. There are some exceptions. Don’t wait for the deadline to pass.
If this happens to you or a loved one, reach out to us. We’ll review your case for free, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.
