Gainesville Uber & Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer
You deserve to feel safe when you get into an Uber or Lyft. Unfortunately, these cars and these drivers are not nearly as safe as the rideshare companies would like you to believe.
Uber and Lyft do require background checks, but it’s not enough to deter violent criminals. If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted in an Uber or Lyft, our team wants to help you seek justice.
Our Gainesville personal injury lawyers are here to represent you. Call Meldon Law today for help: (352) 373-8000.
Uber and Lyft Want You to Believe Their Rides Are Safer Than They Are
According to Uber’s US Safety Report for 2019-2020, sexual assaults in Uber vehicles decreased by 38% from 2017-2018 to 2019-2020. However, there were still 3,824 reports of sexual assaults or non-consensual activity in 2019 and 2020.
According to Lyft’s Community Safety Report, 3,062 sexual assaults or instances of non-consensual activity were reported in 2018-2019.
That is 6,886 too many. The companies are downplaying these crimes by noting that no safety issues were reported in 99.9% of their rides over those time periods.
We won’t let them downplay the violence you suffered. If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual assault as a rideshare passenger, we can help you seek justice.
We Help You Explore Your Options for Justice
You can seek criminal charges against the rideshare driver who attacked you. However, it is important to note that those charges will not compensate you for the medical care and mental health support you may need.
You do have other options for justice. If you or a loved one suffered an assault by an Uber or Lyft driver, we’ll help you explore those options for recovering compensation. That might include:
Filing an Individual Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft
We may determine that filing an individual lawsuit against the rideshare company is the best option. If that is the case, we’ll handle every aspect of the process for you.
Joining an Existing Class Action
There is currently a multi district litigation (MDL) regarding sexual assaults committed by Uber drivers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court Northern District of California and known as MDL No. 3084, is allowing plaintiffs to sue for negligence, breach of contract, and product liability claims.
As of March 6, 2024, there is no class action against Lyft but there are many pending legal actions against the rideshare company.
Our team is keeping an eye out for class actions against Lyft.
The choice is yours, but we will advise you on which route we believe is best for you and your case.
What You Can Recover in an Uber or Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
You can recover both economic and non-economic damages after sexual abuse by a rideshare driver in Gainesville:
Economic Damages
You deserve to recover every dollar your sexual assault cost you. We can help you fight for:
- Medical bills for both your physical injuries and emotional injuries, e.g., counseling (this includes both current and future expenses)
- Lost wages if you needed to take time off work to recover or seek treatment
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries or the attack itself required you to take a lower-paying job, work fewer hours, or retire from the workforce
- Miscellaneous expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Most of the effects of a sexual assault are not financial. You deserve compensation for those, too. We can help you recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Inconvenience
- Lost enjoyment of life
The emotional damages of a sexual assault are often far-reaching and lifelong. Our team will fight for every cent to give you the compensation you need to try to move forward. If the insurer refuses to give what you deserve, we won’t back down.
What to Do After a Sexual Assault
The aftermath of a sexual assault is jarring, scary, and isolating. There are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
- Your only concern should be your safety. Get yourself to safety as soon as you are able.
- Report the assault to Uber or Lyft. Take a screenshot of the driver’s rideshare profile if possible.
- You can report to Uber here.
- You can report to Lyft here.
- Get a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit taken at the emergency room (if you feel comfortable enough to do so). If possible, bring a trusted friend or family member with you. You should not be charged for this under federal law. However, this is not always the case. If you are charged for this care, keep a copy of the medical bill and tell our team. We will speak with the hospital billing department on your behalf and include it in your demand for damages.
- Write down what happened. Unfortunately, you may face pushback if you decide to hold the rideshare company liable. The insurance company or rideshare company may be looking for holes in your story to avoid compensating you. While this will likely be a difficult situation, writing down what happened will help you avoid contradicting yourself at a later date. This can help strengthen your claim for damages.
- Call a sexual abuse attorney. You don’t want to handle this situation alone. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to stand by your side, protecting you from the rideshare company and its insurer.
What Can I Expect When I Work With a Sexual Assault Lawyer?
You might feel as though everything is out of your control right now. Our personal injury attorneys want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during this process. When you meet with us, we’ll outline what you can expect to keep you from dealing with any new surprises.
We’ll Listen to Your Story
We know reliving the experience will be very difficult, but we’ll be with you every step of the way, doing what we can to make you feel as safe as possible.
We’ll Protect You and Communicate With the Other Party on Your Behalf
You should never need to speak with your abuser or the parties that allowed your assault to occur. We will handle all communications with involved parties. You may need to speak to the other party’s insurer, but we’ll never allow them to speak with you without us present, and we’ll never allow them to bully you in any way.
We’ll Prepare You for Depositions and Interrogatories
You may need to submit to a deposition (where you answer questions under oath) or interrogatories (where you give written answers to questions). Our team will prepare you for these to make them as undemanding as possible.
This process will likely be difficult, but we will do everything we can to keep you as comfortable as possible.
We Will Treat You and Your Case With the Respect It Deserves
You are not just a case number. We know how much courage it took to take this step and we want you to feel respected and supported for the entirety of our time together. We will protect you and take on your fight like it was our own.
Can I Remain Anonymous If I Take Legal Action?
Whether you can remain anonymous depends on the type of legal action you take. The Uber MDL allows survivor-plaintiffs to stay anonymous in the lawsuit.
Regardless, we will never take action until we have determined whether you can stay anonymous and whether you are comfortable speaking out.
What Does the Law Consider Sexual Assault?
Under Florida law, sexual battery includes any unwanted sexual contact. This could include:
- Groping
- Attempted rape
- Rape
- Forcible penetration
- Any sexual contact with a minor
If an Uber or Lyft driver subjected you to any unwanted sexual conduct, we want to help you seek justice.
Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are countless resources out there to help you.
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): RAINN details several resources on their site. We’ll list some of them here.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline: Chat online (en Español) or call (800) 656-HOPE (4673).
- VictimConnect: Chat online or call (855) 4-VICTIM (84-2846)
- 1in6: National Helpline for male survivors of sexual assault and abuse, online chat
- Rise: Resources and FAQs
For University of Florida students:
- Counseling & Wellness Center: Counseling, help for crisis and emergency, (352) 392-1575, 3190 Radio Road
- Crisis and Emergency Resource Center: Provides emergency walk-in crisis stabilization, reachable 24/7 (352) 392-1575, 401 Peabody Hall open Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm
Our firm is also a resource for you. If you decide to take legal action, we will protect and stand by you throughout the process.
Our Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyers Are Here to Help You Seek Justice
We would be honored if you would allow us to champion your case. You have shown incredible bravery in taking this step; we can take your case from here.
Call Meldon Law today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation: (352) 373-8000.
