Something awful just happened during your Uber or Lyft ride. You’re scared and confused. You don’t know what to do first.
The 2022 Uber Safety Report shows that the company received 3,824 reports of sexual assault in the United States in 2019 and 2020 alone.
The Law Offices of John C. Ye is here to help survivors through these first critical hours. We understand that every step you take now can affect your case later.
Here’s exactly what to do after a rideshare assault.
Step 1: Get to Safety (Right Now)
Your safety comes first, no matter what.
If you’re still in the car and feel threatened, use the emergency button in the app. Look for the shield icon on the safety screen. This will contact 911 and share your location.
Can’t get to the app? Just call 911 directly. Let them know you’re in an Uber or Lyft and need help right away.
If you’re able to leave the car safely, do it. Head to a public place where there are people around, like a gas station, convenience store, or restaurant, anywhere with lights and witnesses.
Call someone you trust. Maybe a friend, family member, or anyone who can pick you up or stay on the phone with you.
Step 2: Screenshot Everything (Next 10 Minutes)
Before you do anything else on your phone, take screenshots. Some details disappear once you close the app or the ride ends.
Make sure to capture these screens:
- Your trip receipt, showing the driver’s name, photo, license plate, and route.
- The trip pickup time, drop-off time, and how long the ride lasted.
- The driver’s profile.
- Any messages you exchanged with the driver.
If you’ve already closed the app, don’t stress. You can find your trip history later. Just try to save whatever you can now, while it’s all still there.
Step 3: Report Through the App (Within Hours)
Both Uber and Lyft let you report assaults directly through their apps. Report as soon as possible.
Uber Assault Reporting Process
Open the app and look at your trip history. Find the ride where the assault happened. Tap “Get Help” or the help icon. Choose “Report a Safety Issue,” then select “I was involved in a sexual assault or other serious issue.” Follow the prompts and share the details.
Uber’s safety team will review your report. They usually deactivate the driver during their investigation. You’ll get a case number; make sure to save it.
Lyft Assault Report Steps
Open the app and tap your profile icon. Go to “Ride History” and pick the ride in question. Tap “Get Help” or “Help.” Select “Safety,” then “Report a Safety Concern.” Pick the category that fits what happened and give details when asked.
Lyft will assign a dedicated support specialist to your case. Hold on to their contact info.
What to Include When You Report Rideshare Assault:
Stick to the facts when you describe what happened. Don’t downplay it. Be specific—mention actions like unwanted touching, verbal threats, or if the driver wouldn’t let you out. Say where the assault happened. Note any witnesses if people were around. Let them know if you were physically hurt.
Step 4: Decide About Police (No Pressure Either Way)
If you feel ready, you can report a rideshare assault to the police. But you’re not required to. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, only about 21% of sexual assaults are reported to police.
This choice is completely up to you.
If You Choose to Report:
Call your local police non-emergency number or go to the nearest station. Let them know you want to report a sexual assault that happened during a rideshare trip. Bring your phone with all your trip details and screenshots. Make sure to write down the officer’s name and your report number.
Police may ask you to give a statement. You can ask for a lawyer to be with you. If you start feeling overwhelmed, you’re allowed to pause at any time.
If You’re Not Ready:
That’s perfectly okay. You can decide to report later—days, weeks, or even months from now. It’s still important to preserve evidence, which we’ll talk about next.
Civil legal action for sexual assault doesn’t require a police report. If you’re considering civil legal action, our rideshare assault lawyer can look at your case for free. We can explain your legal options so you can make informed decisions.
Many survivors choose to pursue legal claims without ever involving law enforcement. That’s a legitimate choice under rideshare assault victim rights.
Step 5: Preserve Physical Evidence
If you think you might want a forensic exam or plan to report to the police, try not to destroy any physical evidence.
Keep:
- The clothes you were wearing. Don’t wash them. Put them in a paper bag, not plastic.
- Any items from the car, like tissues, receipts, or anything you touched.
- Your phone, with all your messages and trip info, is still saved.
Avoid:
- Showering, if you might get a forensic exam within the next 72 hours.
- Washing your hands, if you can.
- Brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth if there was any oral contact.
- Changing your clothes until you’ve documented everything.
We know this feels terrible. You just want to feel clean. But saving evidence can really help your case later.
A study found that DNA evidence is present in up to 87% of sexual assault forensic exams conducted within 24 hours of the incident, highlighting the importance of timely evidence preservation.
Step 6: Get Medical Attention
Go to an emergency room or urgent care, even if you don’t see any injuries.
Medical professionals can:
- Document any injuries you have.
- Provide emergency contraception if you need it.
- Test for sexually transmitted infections.
- Offer a forensic exam (SAFE exam) to preserve DNA evidence.
- Connect you with crisis counselling or other support.
Be honest about what happened. Medical records create a real-time account of the assault, which helps if you need to prove your injuries later.
This exam is optional, but it can make a big difference if you ever want to take legal action. A specially trained nurse will do the exam, which collects DNA evidence and documents any injuries. Try to get it done within 72 hours, and the sooner the better.
Step 7: Contact Support Resources
You don’t have to go through this alone.
Free, Confidential Resources:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (available 24/7)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- RAINN Online Chat
- Your local rape crisis center
All these services are free and confidential. No one will pressure you to report or take legal action. They’re here to offer emotional support and practical advice.
Step 8: Document Your Experience
Start a private journal, either on your phone or in a notebook.
Write down:
- Everything you remember about the assault, while the details are still fresh.
- Any physical or emotional symptoms you notice each day.
- How the trauma is affecting your work, relationships, and daily life.
- Therapy sessions you go to.
- Any medications you’re prescribed.
This documentation becomes crucial evidence later. Memories fade, but notes you make now will carry more weight if you need them as evidence.
What NOT to Do After Rideshare Assault
These mistakes hurt cases:
- Don’t Contact the Driver Directly: Don’t confront the driver. Any contact could be used against you later.
- Don’t Post on Social Media: A simple photo of you smiling can be used to claim you’re not traumatized.
- Don’t Accept Quick Settlement Offers: Uber or Lyft might offer you money right away. These offers usually come with paperwork that waives your right to any future claims. Once you sign, you can’t ask for more later. Don’t accept anything without consulting a rideshare assault attorney first.
- Don’t Talk to the Company’s Investigators Without a Lawyer: The rideshare company might call and ask for your statement. Remember, they’re protecting themselves, not you. Let your attorney handle any communication with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report through the Uber or Lyft app?
There’s no official time limit. If you report later, you can still take legal action, but the sooner you report, the better.
Will reporting to Uber or Lyft prevent the driver from assaulting others?
Yes, both companies usually deactivate drivers right away after receiving a sexual assault report and will investigate. Your report could help protect future passengers.
Can I get a forensic exam without reporting to the police?
Yes. You can have a SAFE exam done even if you don’t file a police report. The evidence will be stored under an anonymous number, and you can decide later if you want to give it to law enforcement.
What if I showered or changed clothes already?
Some physical evidence might be lost, but your case isn’t ruined. Medical records, app data, witness statements, and your own account still matter. Plenty of cases are successful even without physical evidence.
What if the driver is contacting me?
Take screenshots of any messages. Report the contact to the police and the rideshare company. Block their number. Reaching out like this not only breaks company rules, but it could also be considered stalking.
Contact a Rideshare Assault Attorney
Reach out to an attorney within days, not months.
App data can get deleted, surveillance footage might be recorded over, and witnesses can forget important details.
We act quickly to save evidence before it disappears. We send legal preservation notices to Uber or Lyft demanding they save all trip data. We request surveillance footage from businesses near where the assault occurred. We interview witnesses while memories are fresh.
At the Law Offices of John C. Ye, we offer free, confidential consultations. There’s no pressure to take any steps you’re not ready for. We’ll explain your options and let you decide what feels right for you.
If this happens to you or a loved one, reach out to the Law Offices of John C. Ye.
