Attacks by Rideshare Drivers are On the Rise

When you get into an Uber or a Lyft, your major worry is probably whether or not you’ll end up in a car accident. That’s a valid concern, but it’s not the only one. Many people overlook the fact that they are getting into a vehicle that’s being operated by who is to you, a complete and total stranger.

Lawsuits Allege Attacks

Attacks by rideshare drivers do happen and they’re happening more and more often. So often, in fact, that numerous lawsuits have been filed against Uber and Lyft, alleging the failure to vet and background check their drivers.

When these lawsuits were first filed, Uber tried to rely on provisions in its terms of service that prevented class action lawsuits from being brought against them. Thankfully, a judge denied that, and allowed the cases to continue.

Many of these lawsuit contain allegations that rideshare drivers have committed assaults, rapes, and other violent crimes, on the customers who they are using the services. And these crimes aren’t just happening in the vehicles. In some cases, there are stories of drivers dropping clients off and then following them to their homes or businesses, to commit violent crimes on them.

It’s worth noting that there are also incidents where the rideshare drivers themselves are abused by the passengers, although there are no lawsuits related to those allegations.

The Numbers Show an Increase

If you think rideshare driver attacks are rare, think again. As of 2018, it was reported that 6,000 Uber customers were victims of reported being victims of attacks or assaults by drivers. From 2017-2020 almost 10,000 women reported being victims of sexual assault by drivers. Almost 900 of these incidents were rapes or attempted rapes.

Who is Liable?

Rideshare companies like Uber often claim that they have no control over drivers, and that criminal actions are obviously not a part of drivers’ duties, and thus, the companies that hire the drivers cannot be held liable under vicarious liability theories.

But the victims feel quite differently. To them, these rideshare companies need to do more to vet and background check their drivers, as currently, most companies do little or no background checks. As of this writing, there is no requirement that drivers use cameras inside the vehicles (some do voluntarily for their own safety), and no fingerprints or other data is collected on drivers by their companies.

Worse, many of the lawsuits say that when Uber or Lyft do learn of an attack by a driver, there is rarely any repercussion from the companies. They do not track these incidents, and are slow to discipline or release drivers who may victimize others.

Moderate Improvement

Many rideshare companies like Uber have improved some safety measures in years past. For example, many companies have features that allow others who aren’t on the vehicle, to track the movements of the person in the vehicle. Many vehicles are also equipped with 911 buttons for passengers to use.

Call Barbas, Nunez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian for help and to schedule a consultation with our Tampa personal injury lawyers today for help with your case if you are injured in a rideshare, or by a rideshare, Uber or Lyft driver.

Sources:

cand.uscourts.gov/judges/breyer-charles-r-crb/ubermdl/

npr.org/2023/10/11/1205135476/sexual-assault-victims-suing-uber-notch-a-legal-victory-in-long-battle

cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/uber-lyft-drivers-said-to-have-sexually-assaulted-more-than-100-riders/

npr.org/2018/05/15/611230115/under-pressure-uber-drops-arbitration-requirement-for-sexual-assault-victims