Is Uber Being Sued for Sexual Assault?

An Overview of the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit

What makes the Uber sexual assault litigation unique is not just the number of individual claims, but the collective recognition that a systemic failure underlies them.

Over the years, sexual assault reports have poured in from Uber passengers, with internal records showing that between 2017 and 2022, the company received 400,181 reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct, a figure far surpassing the roughly 12,522 “serious incidents” Uber had publicly disclosed.

Uber sexual assault survivors are bringing claims alleging that the company failed to implement appropriate safety precautions, ignored red‑flags, and allowed misconduct to flourish on the Uber platform.

In response, many have chosen to pursue civil lawsuits against Uber and its drivers, seeking justice for instances where they were sexually assaulted, subjected to sexual harassment, or otherwise harmed under Uber’s watch.

Among the core allegations in the lawsuits are:

• Uber failed to properly screen drivers or vet criminal histories.
• The company delayed or declined to deploy enhanced safety measures that could deter or detect abuse.
• Uber ignored internal safety reports and prior complaints about driver misconduct.
• The Uber app lacked safety features that might have prevented dangerous pairings or alerted riders of risk.
• Internal Uber documents show awareness of patterns of sexual violence that matched dozens of incident reports.
• Uber prioritized growth and cost reduction over passenger personal safety and risk mitigation.

These lawsuits reflect a fundamental challenge to how tech companies conceptualize safety, accountability, and liability in the gig economy.

The federal court overseeing this litigation is evaluating whether Uber’s practices created avoidable risk and whether failure to act was negligent or even reckless.

The multidistrict litigation (MDL) also tests whether Uber’s promises of safety match the reality many survivors experienced, and whether Uber’s legal team’s defenses under “driver independence” are valid in the face of internal warnings.

Ultimately, this lawsuit doesn’t just seek compensation; it aims to hold Uber accountable and compel changes in how companies address sexual assault incidents on their platforms.

Uber Sexual Assault Settlement Projections

No global settlement has been reached with Uber Technologies over alleged sexual assaults that occurred on their platform.

However, as the Uber sexual assault litigation progresses under the Uber Technologies Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation (MDL No. 3084) and in related state actions, legal analysts and survivors’ attorneys are projecting potential settlement ranges based on the severity of claims and comparable cases.

These rideshare sexual assault lawsuits often center on issues such as repeated abuse, long‑term psychological harm, and Uber’s alleged failure to prevent sexual misconduct by insufficient background checks, ignoring safety reports, or delaying deployment of safety features in the Uber app.

Below is a sample tiered projection framework based on current case assessments and precedent:

• Tier 1 (High severity): $300,000 to over $1,000,000: for claims involving repeated assault, forced penetration, severe trauma, or where Uber’s internal records reflect prior warnings ignored
• Tier 2 (Moderate severity): $150,000 to $300,000: for serious assault claims with significant emotional harm and medical treatment, but perhaps with less corroborating physical evidence
• Tier 3 (Lower severity): $50,000 to $150,000: for instances of harassment, unwanted touching, or less invasive misconduct with emotional and reputational impacts

These ranges reflect broad expectations in Uber sexual assault claims and are not guaranteed.

Actual Uber sexual assault lawsuit settlement amounts will depend heavily on the individual facts, evidence, jurisdiction, and negotiation posture.

Rideshare sexual assault attorneys engaged in these cases analyze how Uber’s failure to implement appropriate safety precautions, respond to prior incidents, or properly screen drivers may increase potential settlement value.

As Uber sexual assault survivors continue filing claims, these tiered projections offer a roadmap for understanding what compensation might be possible and why so many plaintiffs are moving forward.

Current Status of the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit and Important Developments

As we’ve mentioned previously on this page, a New York Times investigation that revealed internal court filings showing Uber logged 400,181 reports of sexual assault or misconduct between 2017 and 2022, far more than the 12,522 serious incidents the company previously disclosed.

These unreported sexual assault statistics have intensified scrutiny of Uber’s public safety claims and its handling of sexual assault claims by Uber passengers.

Meanwhile, in federal court, Judge Charles Breyer has dismissed some fraud‑based claims in the MDL but preserved certain product liability and app‑design allegations, rejecting Uber’s efforts to avoid accountability for how its app pairs drivers and passengers.

In the MDL, parties held a case management conference in April 2025, which led to the appointment of six bellwether trial cases scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025.

These test trials are intended to resolve common legal questions and guide settlement negotiations for the broader litigation.

In addition to the federal MDL, there is an ongoing California state court proceeding (JCCP) in San Francisco Superior Court, where a jury has already rendered a verdict in the first sexual assault case involving a former rider who claimed she was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver in 2016.

Although the jury found Uber negligent in its safety measures in the first bellwether trial, it concluded that Uber’s negligence was not a substantial factor in causing harm.

While this outcome is significant, it may not predict how the Uber sexual assault survivors’ claims in the MDL will fare.

These first trials involve specific facts and jurisdictions that do not reflect every allegation of failure to prevent sexual misconduct.

Still, the verdict offers insight into potential risks, defenses, and valuation strategies that could shape how Uber sexual assault claims move forward across both state and federal dockets.

How Recent Court Decisions Could Affect Future Uber Sexual Assault Claims

Recent rulings in the Uber sexual assault litigation, including the outcome of the first California state court trial and orders in the federal MDL, are beginning to shape the future of hundreds of ongoing and upcoming cases.

In the MDL, the court ruled that certain Uber sexual assault claims could proceed, particularly those tied to alleged failures in the app’s design and Uber’s handling of driver pairing and safety tools.

However, the court dismissed other claims, such as those involving fraud or broad corporate marketing language, narrowing the legal theories that plaintiffs can use under federal law.

These early decisions are helping define the boundaries of what types of claims are viable and which will likely face greater scrutiny.

Plaintiffs argue that despite Uber’s internal safety policies, the company failed to implement meaningful protections that could have prevented many of the reported sexual assaults.

The first jury trial in San Francisco Superior Court (which ended in a partial win for Uber) has raised questions about how future juries may interpret similar evidence.

Still, attorneys caution that this outcome is case-specific and does not undermine the broader strength of other claims, many of which involve allegations that Uber ignored previous complaints and known driver risks.

Takeaways from recent rulings and developments:

• Courts are allowing certain product liability claims related to the Uber app to move forward.
• Some fraud-based claims tied to marketing language have been dismissed.
• The first bellwether trial is scheduled for December 2025 in the federal MDL.
• A California state jury found Uber negligent but not liable in one specific case, highlighting how individual facts shape outcomes.
• Plaintiffs in both federal and state proceedings are refining their legal arguments in response to evolving court guidance.

These rulings and outcomes will play a major role in determining how future cases are tried or settled, how Uber defends itself, and how survivors seeking justice through civil litigation are represented moving forward.

They also inform how the MDL judge and plaintiffs’ leadership will evaluate bellwether trial selections and prepare for the broader litigation strategy.

Even in the face of mixed outcomes, courts are sending a clear message that Uber may still be held accountable where failures in rider safety can be proven.

Do You Qualify for the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

You may qualify to join the Uber sexual assault lawsuit if an Uber driver sexually assaulted you, harassed you, or otherwise made unwanted sexual contact during or after a ride.

Eligibility generally depends on proving that the sexual assault occurred in connection with the use of the Uber platform and that Uber failed to take reasonable steps to protect passengers.

Survivors who experienced verbal harassment, groping, forced contact, or other forms of sexual violence may all have potential claims.

These lawsuits are focused on holding Uber accountable for negligence in screening drivers, responding to prior complaints, and prioritizing rider safety.

Each case is evaluated based on available evidence, such as trip history, medical or therapy documentation, and any communication with Uber following the incident.

Survivors do not need to have filed a police report to qualify.

Civil lawsuits operate independently of criminal charges.

A lawyer can review your situation, determine whether your claim fits within the federal MDL or state-level actions, and explain the next steps for filing.

Working with an experienced attorney who understands the scope of this litigation is crucial for securing strong legal representation and protecting your right to compensation.

Gathering Evidence for an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Evidence is an important part of building a strong legal case against Uber, especially in claims involving sexual harassment, assault, or misconduct by a driver.

Survivors do not need physical evidence to file a claim, but supporting documentation can help demonstrate that the assault occurred and that Uber failed to take reasonable safety steps.

An experienced attorney will work to gather, preserve, and organize this evidence as part of a broader legal strategy.

Even small details (like the time of the ride or prior complaints about the driver) can play an important role in establishing liability.

Examples of helpful evidence include:

• Uber ride history and trip receipts
• In-app communications between the passenger and driver
• Screenshots or records of Uber safety reports or customer service responses
• Medical records related to physical or psychological harm
• Therapy or counseling records showing emotional impact
• Witness statements or contemporaneous messages (texts, DMs, emails)
• Police reports or formal complaints, if filed
• Evidence of prior complaints or incidents involving the same driver

Potential Compensation in Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits

In civil sexual assault cases, damages are the financial representation of the harm a survivor has experienced, both physically and emotionally.

These damages serve not only to compensate survivors but also to hold companies like Uber legally and financially accountable for negligence.

Compensation can vary depending on the severity of the misconduct, such as cases involving sexual penetration, long-term trauma, or evidence of prior corporate inaction.

Survivors may be entitled to recover costs for medical care, missed work, and ongoing mental health treatment compensation needed to process the impact of the assault.

Common types of damages in Uber sexual assault lawsuits include:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, treatment)
• Mental health treatment compensation (therapy, counseling, psychiatric care)
• Pain and suffering (emotional trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Lost income or diminished earning capacity
• Costs related to long-term support or rehabilitation
• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence or repeated failures)
• Loss of enjoyment of life or quality of life damages
• Future medical and psychological care needs

TorHoerman Law: Uber Sexual Assault Lawyers

TorHoerman Law is committed to helping survivors of rideshare-related sexual assault pursue justice and financial recovery through the civil legal system.

These cases are not just about individual harm: they expose critical safety failures on a national scale and hold companies accountable for ignoring known risks.

If you or a loved one were sexually assaulted, harassed, or harmed by an Uber driver, legal action may offer a path forward.

Our team is equipped to handle these cases with compassion, discretion, and a strong understanding of the legal strategies needed to challenge large corporations.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free and completely confidential consultation.

You can also use the secure chatbot on this page to see if your case qualifies.

You pay nothing unless we win.