Over 3,700 survivors have filed federal lawsuits against Uber and Lyft for sexual assault by drivers. A jury awarded $8.5 million in the first bellwether trial. You may be entitled to compensation.
The rideshare sexual assault lawsuit represents one of the largest waves of personal injury litigation in the United States. Thousands of passengers who were sexually assaulted, raped, groped, harassed, or kidnapped by their Uber or Lyft drivers are suing these companies for failing to keep riders safe.
The core of these lawsuits is straightforward: Uber and Lyft knew about the widespread problem of driver-on-passenger sexual assault and failed to take adequate action. Despite receiving thousands of safety complaints annually — Lyft alone reportedly receives approximately 5,000 reports of sexual assault per year — these companies allegedly prioritized rapid driver recruitment and growth over passenger safety.
Uber currently faces the largest volume of claims. As of March 2026, over 3,700 plaintiffs in 30 states have joined a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 3084) consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In February 2026, a jury in the first bellwether trial awarded $8.5 million in compensatory damages to a plaintiff, finding Uber liable under an "apparent agency" theory. A second bellwether trial is scheduled for April 2026.
Lyft is also facing growing litigation. A dedicated Lyft sexual assault MDL was established in February 2026 in the Northern District of California, consolidating claims from across the country. Legal experts anticipate the Lyft MDL will follow a similar trajectory to the Uber litigation.
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You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft if you experienced any of the following during or in connection with a rideshare ride:
You were sexually assaulted or raped by an Uber or Lyft driver during a ride, during pickup, or during drop-off. These are the most serious claims in the current MDL litigation.
You were groped, fondled, or subjected to unwanted physical sexual contact by your rideshare driver. This includes any non-consensual touching of a sexual nature.
You were subjected to sexually explicit comments, propositions, exposure, or other forms of sexual harassment by an Uber or Lyft driver that caused emotional distress.
Your driver intentionally deviated from the route, locked the doors, or refused to let you exit the vehicle, constituting kidnapping or false imprisonment.
A rideshare driver used your personal information (home address, phone number) to stalk, follow, or contact you after a ride, violating your privacy and safety.
You reported a safety incident to Uber or Lyft and the company failed to take appropriate action, allowed the driver to continue operating, or did not contact law enforcement.
The Uber and Lyft sexual assault litigation has seen significant developments. Here is a chronological overview of the most important milestones.
Individual lawsuits begin accumulating against Uber across multiple states. Plaintiffs allege sexual assault by drivers and inadequate safety measures. The volume of cases grows steadily.
Uber sexual assault cases are consolidated into a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 3084) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, streamlining pre-trial proceedings.
The Uber MDL grows to 2,949 cases. Discovery continues and bellwether trial preparation intensifies. Legal teams begin selecting test cases to set the tone for future settlements.
The first federal bellwether trial in the Uber sexual assault MDL begins in Phoenix, Arizona. The case tests the legal theory that Uber is liable for assaults committed by its drivers.
Major milestone: A jury awards $8.5 million in compensatory damages to a plaintiff, finding Uber liable under an "apparent agency" theory. This verdict sets a powerful precedent for the thousands of remaining cases.
A dedicated federal MDL for Lyft sexual assault cases is established in the Northern District of California, signaling that Lyft faces similar legal exposure to Uber.
3,291 pending Uber cases in federal court (3,700+ total plaintiffs across 30 states). Second bellwether trial scheduled for April 2026. Lyft MDL is in early-stage proceedings. Legal experts anticipate a global settlement may follow.
Rideshare sexual assault survivors may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. The $8.5 million bellwether verdict sets a strong precedent.
* Estimates based on legal analysis and comparable verdicts. Actual values depend on individual case circumstances.
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