Rights of Assault Victims in Rideshare Cases
Victims of sexual assault in rideshare vehicles have specific rights under the law. Both Uber and Lyft have established policies for handling assault cases, but these policies are often more focused on protecting the company’s interests rather than those of the victim. Victims need to know that they have the right to seek justice and compensation for the harm suffered. Rideshare companies have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their passengers. When they fail to uphold that duty, they can be held accountable. Although Uber and Lyft often classify drivers as independent contractors to reduce their liability, there are legal precedents that enable victims to bring claims against these companies, especially when there is evidence of negligence, such as inadequate background checks or failure to act on previous complaints.
