Uber Sexual Assault Cases Explained: What Survivors Need to Know [2025 Guide]

Uber Sexual Assault Cases: Overview

Over the past several years, an alarming number of sexual assault reports have emerged involving Uber drivers, exposing what many consider to be Uber’s sexual assault problem.

According to a recent New York Times investigation, internal records and court documents reveal that Uber received more than 400,000 reports of sexual assault or misconduct between 2017 and 2022, far exceeding the roughly 12,500 “serious” incidents the company publicly disclosed.

These numbers suggest that incidents of sexual harassment, unwanted touching, and worse have been both more frequent and more hidden than previously understood.

Survivors and advocates say the root of the problem lies in Uber’s failure to properly screen drivers, delay or refuse essential safety measures, and rely on minimal vetting processes tied to algorithmic matching via the Uber app rather than thorough oversight.

Meanwhile, Uber asserts that a vast majority of trips occur without incident and emphasizes improvements in safety features and background check protocols.

Despite these public claims, critics point to the gap between internal data and public disclosures as evidence that the company prioritized growth over passenger safety.

In the face of this data, thousands of Uber sexual assault claims have been filed across the country, demanding accountability, more transparent practices, and real change in how the company safeguards its users.

What is the Uber Sexual Assault Multi-District Litigation?

The Uber Technologies Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation (MDL No. 3084) is the federal mechanism created to consolidate Uber lawsuits brought by Uber sexual assault survivors across the United States so that overlapping legal issues can be managed centrally.

The MDL aims to improve efficiency and consistency in pretrial procedures for cases alleging that the company failed to take adequate steps to prevent sexual misconduct by drivers.

This coordinated framework gives plaintiffs greater leverage in challenging Uber’s defenses and obtaining shared discovery.

While Uber’s legal team has attempted to dismiss or limit claims, the MDL structure helps ensure these efforts are more transparent and subject to common rulings.

Aspects of the MDL include:

• Consolidation of cases involving similar allegations under one judge
• Central management of discovery, motions, and expert issues
• Selection of bellwether trials to test recurring legal and factual issues
• Scheduling through joint case management conferences
• Opportunity to negotiate broader Uber sexual assault settlement approaches
• Preservation of each individual’s right to pursue a trial or distinct settlement

Because the MDL clusters many cases with similar claims, it heightens pressure on Uber to respond collectively rather than in isolated cases.

Plaintiffs use the MDL to more forcefully hold Uber accountable for how it managed safety, driver vetting, and responses to sexual advances or assault reports.

Outcomes in the MDL (especially from bellwether trials) will likely influence how future claims are resolved across the litigation, including potential global settlement negotiations.

Uber Sexual Assault Statistics

The scale of alleged misconduct on the Uber platform is far larger than what’s commonly known from public disclosures.

A New York Times investigation based on court documents revealed that between 2017 and 2022, Uber logged 400,181 reports of sexual assault or misconduct, an average of one report every eight minutes.

This figure is strikingly disproportionate to the 12,522 “serious” incidents Uber had previously disclosed for the same period, raising questions about how much misconduct was categorized, omitted, or suppressed in internal reporting.

Internal documents suggest Uber’s decision-makers were aware of patterns in sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct, but delayed or declined to deploy some enhanced safety measures that experts say might have mitigated risk.

Statistics to know:

• Uber recorded 400,181 reports of sexual assault or misconduct from 2017 to 2022.
• Uber publicly disclosed only 12,522 serious incidents during that same time.
• Approximately 75% of its reported incidents were classified by Uber as “less serious,” such as comments about appearance or unwanted flirting.
• Many assaults reportedly took place late at night, after bar pickups, or during weekend rides.
• In one dramatic example, a ride expected to last 22 minutes became a multi-hour ordeal, ending near a motel, and internal alerts about irregular route deviations were triggered but not meaningfully acted on.

These numbers aren’t just statistics.

They represent real people whose personal safety was compromised.

Uber has responded by pointing to new safety tools such as GPS tracking, in-app safety buttons, route deviation alarm systems, and audio recording options.

Still, critics argue the company waited too long to adopt more robust interventions and failed to treat early warnings as urgent.

Because Uber controls massive amounts of trip data and internal insight, the revelations suggest that the company’s leadership, including Uber’s head of safety, may have underestimated or deprioritized the seriousness of these allegations.

This backdrop of data and internal recognition sets the stage for the legal claims that survivors and their attorneys are bringing forward, alleging that Uber’s public assurances of safety do not align with the risks revealed in their own internal records.

Who Qualifies to Sue Uber for Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct?

Not every allegation will qualify, but many former Uber passengers who experienced sexual abuse, harassment, or assault during a ride (or in connection with a ride) may have valid claims.

Lawsuits argue that Uber failed to implement appropriate safety precautions on the Uber platform, neglected to properly screen drivers, or ignored prior safety reports and warnings.

Some claims proceed in federal court via the MDL, while others are being brought in California state court proceedings, particularly for incidents that occurred within the state.

To qualify, a survivor typically must show that the sexual assault was committed or sexual harassment occurred during an Uber ride, pickup, or dropoff.

Having documentation such as trip histories, medical or therapy records, contemporaneous statements, or witness accounts strengthens eligibility.

Even if Uber claimed it had defenses or safety protocols in place, plaintiffs challenge those as inadequate or inconsistently enforced.

If your experience aligns with these parameters, you may be able to join the civil lawsuit, either within the MDL structure or through the state court system.

Legal representation can help you evaluate whether your situation meets these criteria.

An attorney will review the facts, assess the strength of your evidence, and guide you toward the forum (federal or state) best suited for your case.

Gathering Evidence for the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit

An experienced sexual assault lawyer plays a crucial role in collecting, preserving, and presenting evidence in these cases.

Strong documentation helps establish what happened, how Uber may have failed to protect rider safety, and the damages survivors suffered.

Attorneys know how to obtain records from Uber, request discovery materials, and organize evidence into a clear, compelling case.

This process gives survivors the best chance to hold Uber accountable in court or through settlement negotiations.

Common forms of evidence include:

• Trip records and ride history from the Uber app
• Prior complaints or reports about the driver
• Medical and therapy records documenting injuries or trauma
• Police reports or incident filings
• Witness statements or contemporaneous communications (texts, emails, chats)

Potential Compensation Available in Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuits

When an Uber driver sexually assaulted a passenger, the harm extends far beyond the immediate incident.

Survivors filing lawsuits for alleged sexual assaults may be eligible to recover damages that reflect both the economic and emotional impact of what they endured.

An attorney’s role is to carefully assess these damages, calculate their value, and advocate for full compensation in negotiations or court.

By building a strong record of losses and trauma, lawyers help make sure that the damages requested accurately represent the survivor’s suffering and long-term needs.

Common types of damages in these cases include:

• Medical expenses for emergency care, ongoing treatment, and therapy
• Psychological and emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity caused by the assault
• Pain and suffering tied to the trauma of the incident
• Costs of long-term counseling, rehabilitation, or mental health care

TorHoerman Law: Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer

At TorHoerman Law, we stand with survivors who have endured harm at the hands of Uber drivers.

These lawsuits represent more than just individual claims.

They shine a light on corporate negligence and the urgent need for stronger protections within the rideshare industry.

Our firm has the experience, resources, and dedication necessary to take on a company of Uber’s size, and we are committed to seeking justice for every survivor who steps forward.

If you or a loved one were assaulted, harassed, or subjected to sexual misconduct during an Uber ride, you may have the right to take legal action.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your options.

You can also use the secure chatbot on this page to quickly find out if you qualify to file a claim.

Survivors do not pay unless we win.