The sharing economy has encouraged the participation of common people in several industries otherwise conquered by traditional, giant companies. This, however, comes with its caveats. Industries like transportation and hospitality in the sharing economy are in hot water for circumventing standards expected of traditional businesses. Especially because this poses security hazards and risks for clients as depicted in the growing number of lawsuits against rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Prevalence of Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Statistics
The skyrocketing popularity of ridesharing services is largely credited to its convenience. As opposed to the traditional taxi cab, using Uber or Lyft secures rides faster and more conveniently. Specifically, ridesharing has been on demand for the following reasons:
- 24/7 accessibility over the phone through membership-based websites or applications;
- Possible last-minute booking;
- May be spread through your area;
- Best used for running errands or less than 24 hours of usage.
Despite these pros, there are salient points overlooked when using rideshare services. Over the past years, Uber and Lyft have accumulated an alarming number of sexual assault cases:
- In 2019, the National Public Radio (NPR) reported that Uber received 5,981 complaints of serious sexual assault in 2017 and 2018. The crimes range from unwanted kissing and touching to rape. The report that came straight from Uber stated that the victims were both passengers and drivers;
- In 2018, CNN reported that 103 Uber drivers were accused of sexual assault or abuse since 2014;
- CNN also detailed that at least 31 drivers had been convicted of false imprisonment, rape, forcible touching, and other criminal charges;
- CNET reported that in August 2019, at least 34 women have filed or joined a lawsuit against Lyf for failing to protect passengers from rape, assault, and kidnapping;
- By December 2019, 19 other women sued Lyft for failing to prevent their drivers from sexually assaulting them.
These numbers are only approximations considering the pervasive views of victims on reporting and publicizing their abuse. Even Uber is aware that the rates may increase if victims are encouraged to report their cases.
How Rideshare Sexual Assault Occurs
A victim’s clothing, sobriety, or perceived demeanor is never an excuse for abuse. There is no excuse for sexual violence. Sexual abusers are motivated by their sick desires of power over their victims. Predators who know of the weaknesses of rideshare applications may use this for their benefit, and take advantage of the riders’ trust for a system that’s supposed to ensure their safe travels.
While no one wishes for sexual assault to happen, rideshare companies have tremendous liability for cultivating an unsafe space for their clients. Negligence plays a vital role in the incidence of sexual abuse in ridesharing because of non-standard protocols:
- Negligent hiring. One of the primary issues concerning ridesharing is the absence of updated background checks. Both Uber and Lyft will only go as far as seven years back in checking for convictions or registrations with the Department of Justice National Sex Offender. This may put riders at risk in being a confined space with a potential predator.
- No driver preparation or training. Rideshare drivers are required to use smartphones while driving to answer ride requests and other notifications. This is pretty concerning as it’s a well-known fact that accidents happen while using phones while driving. Both drivers and passengers are at stake for the lack of proper training on the proper use of phones while driving.
- Absence of transparency in rideshare history. There have been cases of mistaken identities and falsified information resulting in Uber and Lyft sexual assault cases. Some people have mistaken their Uber for other malicious individuals while others had no idea or have purposefully falsified their information indicating they’re 18 and above.
Filing a Case for a Rideshare Sexual Assault
If and when you decide to pursue legal action against your abuser, you will have to decide whether to file for a civil or criminal lawsuit. While a criminal lawsuit may potentially get your perpetrator in jail, this type of suit will require the plaintiff to prove that the defendant is guilty without a reasonable doubt. It may also incur fines but this will be limited to economic damages.
A civil suit, on the other hand, will require no jail time for the perpetrator but you will be entitled to damages or monetary compensation. This means the plaintiff may be awarded economic and non-economic damages. In this type of case, the plaintiff will only be required to prove that the defendant is more than 50% likely to have committed the crime.
We hear your concerns and understand your predicament that’s why our attorneys here at America’s Consumer Lawyer work hard in providing a safe environment for our clients. We will strive to build, defend, and win your case, you need only reach out.
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