Rideshare Sexual Assaults

Respected Sexual Violence Lawyer Helping Survivors in North Carolina and Tennessee

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft claim to offer safe transportation, but when a driver takes advantage of that trust, the consequences can be traumatic. If a rideshare driver in Charlotte assaulted you, you may be entitled to file a civil claim against both the driver and the company. This kind of assault is often sudden, disorienting, and difficult to report, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.

Like survivors of hotel and motel assaults, you may feel like no one was there to protect you. Mary Frances Parker is a Charlotte attorney who works with survivors who want to be heard and taken seriously. Call (615) 485-1584 to begin a confidential conversation.

Civil Claims After Sexual Assault in a Rideshare Vehicle

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft present their services as safe and convenient, yet real-world incidents often expose serious gaps in passenger protection. When a driver commits sexual assault, civil liability may extend beyond the individual. In some situations, survivors have the right to pursue claims against the rideshare company for failing to take appropriate preventive steps.

Each case depends on the facts. The type of assault, the driver’s background, and how the company handled earlier complaints all shape how a claim is built. Similar issues arise in nursing home and assisted-living sexual abuse cases, where oversight failures contribute to preventable harm in private settings.

The following are common scenarios that may support a civil claim under North Carolina law.

Assault During an Active Trip

Some assaults occur while the app shows the trip is still in progress. A driver may detour, lock the doors, or make unwanted advances during the ride. In these cases, the assault is closely tied to the driver’s role as a transportation provider. Evidence such as GPS data, time stamps, and in-app messages may support the claim.

Assault After the Drop-Off

In other situations, the trip may end on the app, but the driver does not leave. Some return to the victim’s location or follow them after drop-off. When the driver continues contact under the guise of a completed ride, the company’s role may still be relevant. Prior complaints, driver messaging history, and platform design features may all come into play.

Assault by a Driver with a Known History

One of the most disturbing patterns involves companies allowing drivers to continue working after past misconduct reports. If the driver had prior complaints related to harassment, physical contact, or inappropriate behavior and was allowed to stay on the platform, that decision can open the company to liability.

Each of these scenarios presents its own legal challenges. A Charlotte rideshare sexual assault lawyer can evaluate the evidence, identify any history of company negligence, and advise on the best approach to seek justice.

Limited Oversight Creates Opportunity for Abuse

Public data from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, released in February 2024, shows the scale of sexual assaults linked to rideshare services. In 2019 alone, Uber, Lyft, and a third major platform reported roughly 4,600 incidents involving the five most serious categories of sexual assault. That year remains the only time all three companies made this type of data publicly available.

This information is significant in civil cases involving passenger assaults. It shows how frequently serious complaints occur and how rarely companies share those numbers or respond with meaningful safeguards. Unlike taxi companies, which are often subject to fingerprinting and licensing regulations, rideshare platforms operate under looser standards that vary by location.

When a company allows a driver with prior complaints to stay on the platform or fails to act on a known risk, it may be liable for negligence. Civil claims give survivors a way to pursue answers and examine company records that would otherwise remain hidden. These include safety protocols, internal complaint logs, and hiring practices.

The GAO’s findings support the argument that these assaults are not isolated events. A Charlotte rideshare sexual assault lawyer can use this evidence to help demonstrate that the risk was foreseeable and that stronger corporate action could have prevented further harm.

Contact a Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer for Help

When Uber or Lyft fails to protect passengers, survivors deserve more than silence or excuses. We work to hold rideshare companies accountable, even when they try to deny fault or shift blame. These cases can involve complicated policies and evasive legal departments, but you don’t have to take them on alone. If your assault happened while traveling to or from a hotel, let us know. We also represent survivors in those situations. Call (615) 485-1584 to talk through your options today. We proudly represent clients throughout North Carolina and Tennessee, including in Wilmington, Fayetteville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Johnson City.