Uber/Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer
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Uber/Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have changed the transportation industry in significant ways, but many of their patrons have been exposed to sexual assaults committed by the rideshare companies’ drivers. Because of Lyft’s and Uber’s business models, holding the businesses accountable for their drivers’ actions can be difficult, but justice can be won with the help of a good Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyer. At Flint Cooper, our experienced sexual assault attorneys handle the most complex civil cases, and we can help ensure that assault survivors receive the legal relief they deserve.
Assaults Committed by Rideshare Drivers are a Significant Problem
There have been multiple harrowing claims of Uber and Lyft driver sexual assault over the years. For the years 2017 and 2018, Uber reported 5,981 sexual assault allegations from across the country. For 2019 and 2020, Uber reported 3,824 allegations of sexual assault. And for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019, Lyft reported 4,158 assault allegations. Several of the survivors of alleged Uber and Lyft sexual assault cases have filed lawsuits to hold the rideshare businesses accountable for their experiences.
What is Assault?
Sexual assault can come in many disturbing forms, including the following:
- Touching without permission
- Forced sexual activity
- Exposure of intimate body parts
- Sexual activity without consent
Any survivor who believes they have been subjected to sexual misconduct by a rideshare driver should consult with an attorney right away to help make sure they receive all relief that they deserve. A Lyft or Uber sexual assault attorney can let you know your legal options for seeking compensation for the harm you have endured.
Legal Solutions for Survivors of Rideshare Driver Assaults
For someone who was assaulted by an Uber and/or Lyft driver, there are multiple legal options. First, many survivors can seek criminal prosecution against whoever committed assault against them. Further, an individual who assists in covering up an incident of assault could also be held criminally liable for that conduct.
A criminal conviction against someone who committed an assault can help a survivor feel safer and have a sense of justice, but it does not always address everything that comes with the aftermath of an assault. Sexual assault can cause emotional pain, psychological pain, physical injury and a reduction in the survivor’s quality of life. To cover these types of harm, a survivor might elect to initiate a civil lawsuit against the person who assaulted them and the rideshare company with which they worked. This is where an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyer can help you.
Damages Available in a Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Survivors who file civil lawsuits against Uber, Lyft and their drivers have access to many legal remedies to help them deal with the effects of an assault. Remedies in a civil sexual assault case can include the following:
- Compensation for the survivor’s pain and suffering (including emotional distress, changes in quality of life, physical pain and disfigurement)
- Payment for the survivor’s financial losses (including medical costs, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses and diminished earning capacity)
- Punitive damages to punish a party for engaging in particularly abhorrent behavior
- Injunctive relief to protect the survivor from further harm (including restraining and protection orders)
Often, proving entitlement to these damages requires large amounts of evidence that can be challenging, stressful or traumatizing for a survivor to collect. At Flint Cooper, our knowledgeable and skilled attorneys can handle difficult legal work for survivors while they take the time they need to process and heal. We can also maximize a survivor’s damages so that they have the best chance of receiving everything they deserve.
The Complexity of Filing an Uber or Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Initiating legal action against someone who has committed assault can be intimidating, but there are clear legal theories regarding why they are liable for a survivor’s losses. Taking legal action against an offender is a relatively simple choice, but a survivor is not likely to recover much relief from the offender alone because many offenders do not have the financial means to pay for the harm they have caused. This is why taking the assaulter’s rideshare company to task is crucial in a civil assault case. Many rideshare companies share responsibility for what their drivers have done, and they have the funds to help make survivors whole.
But while rideshare companies should often be held accountable for their drivers’ actions, finding a legal avenue to make that happen can be difficult. Typically, Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, and businesses are significantly less liable for the behavior of an independent contractor versus the behavior of an employee. Also, a rideshare company might be able to argue in court that it did not owe an assault survivor a duty of care to protect them from harm.
To maintain a claim against a rideshare company, a survivor might have to look to contract provisions, rely on obscure legal theories or conduct an intense and detailed review of the facts of their case. This process is not easy. This is why it is vital for a survivor to immediately speak to a knowledgeable Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyer about their options.
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