Assaulted by an Uber or Lyft Driver? How to Report It and File a Claim
A rideshare trip leaves a digital record that most assaults do not: the driver's identity, the route, the time and often in-app messages. That record matters, and some of it is easiest to secure early. This guide covers what to do in the first hours and days, how to report to police and to the company, and how a claim against a driver and a rideshare company works, including your right to go to court instead of arbitration.
What happens when you reach out
- You tell us what happenedSend the short form or call. It takes about a minute, and you share only what you are comfortable with.
- A claim specialist reviews itWe look at your deadlines, the insurer or agency involved, and the records your claim will need.
- We call you backUsually the same day, to explain your options. There is no cost and no obligation.
Prefer to talk now? Call (833) 333-0905 or text 954-933-5065.
Tell us what happened on the ride
Share only what you are comfortable with. A claim specialist reviews it privately and calls you back, usually the same day.
Legal Lawsuit is not a law firm. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
On this page
The first 72 hours
Get to safety and get care
Go somewhere safe and ask for a sexual assault forensic exam at a hospital. Federal law says you cannot be required to file a police report to receive a free exam (U.S. Office for Victims of Crime).
Preserve physical evidence
If you can, avoid showering or washing clothes first. Put the clothes you wore in a paper bag.
Capture the trip
Screenshot the receipt with the date, pickup and drop-off points and map, the driver's name and photo, the vehicle and plate, and any in-app messages or calls.
Write down what happened
Note what the driver said and did, any route changes or stops, and anyone who saw you before or after the ride.
Tell someone you trust
A friend you texted or called right after the ride can be an important witness later.
The trip record and why it matters
In many assault cases the hardest question is who did it and whether the two people were even together. A rideshare trip usually answers both. The company's records can show GPS data for the whole route, how long the car stopped and where, the driver's account history, and earlier complaints about the same driver.
You cannot get most of that yourself, but your screenshots and trip ID let a lawyer or police ask the company to preserve it. Do not delete the app or your account before the trip details are saved.
Reporting to police and the company
A report creates an official record and can lead to charges. It is your choice and can be made later. Ask for the report number.
Reporting through the app can get the driver suspended and creates a record of when the company was told. Keep a screenshot of what you submit and any reply.
A rape crisis center or RAINN can send an advocate with you to the hospital or police and explain your options.
You do not have to give the company a recorded interview or sign anything to report. If a company representative contacts you about a settlement, have the offer reviewed before you agree.
Who a claim can be brought against
A claim can be brought against the driver, and in many cases against the rideshare company. Claims against the company usually focus on what it did or did not do to keep riders safe, such as:
- how it screened drivers and what its background checks missed
- whether it kept a driver active after earlier complaints
- safety features it had available but did not use, such as in-car cameras or ride monitoring
- how it responded once the assault was reported
Drivers are typically treated as independent contractors, and companies argue they are not responsible for a driver's criminal acts. How courts handle that argument varies by state, which is one reason these claims need an early review.
Time limits are set by the state where the assault happened. In California, for example, an adult survivor of sexual assault generally has the later of 10 years from the assault or 3 years from discovering the injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §340.16). In Florida, a negligence claim against a company must be filed within 2 years (Fla. Stat. §95.11(5)(a)).
You can choose court over arbitration
Rideshare terms of service include arbitration clauses. For sexual assault and sexual harassment, a federal law enacted on March 3, 2022 changes that: no predispute arbitration agreement or class-action waiver is valid or enforceable against a person who elects to bring the case in court (Pub. L. 117-90, 9 U.S.C. §402). The choice belongs to the survivor.
The federal Uber litigation
Federal lawsuits by passengers who say they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers are consolidated before Judge Charles R. Breyer in the Northern District of California as In re: Uber Technologies, Inc., Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation, MDL No. 3084 (court filing). Bellwether trials began in 2026. Consolidation means cases share pretrial evidence, but each survivor keeps an individual claim. Claims against Lyft and claims in state courts proceed separately.
For crashes during a rideshare trip rather than assaults, see our rideshare accident claim guide.
Common questions
The ride was booked by a friend. Can I still make a claim?
Yes. Passengers on a trip booked by someone else can still bring a claim. Get the trip details from the person who booked it.
I was drinking before the ride. Does that hurt my claim?
No. Being intoxicated does not give anyone permission to assault you, and many people take a rideshare precisely because they have been drinking.
What if I was a driver assaulted by a passenger?
Drivers can have claims too, against the passenger and sometimes the company. The same evidence steps apply.
Is the claim review confidential?
Yes. It is free and private, and nothing is reported to the company or police unless you choose to.
Not sure where to start?
Call (833) 333-0905 any time, or send the short form. A claim specialist will help you secure the trip record and explain your options.
Legal Lawsuit is an information and claim-review service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal Lawsuit is not affiliated with Uber or Lyft. Time limits vary by state and change over time; confirm what applies to you with a licensed attorney. Legal Lawsuit and TortAdvisor are under common ownership.
