When you get into a taxi or an Uber or Lyft, you expect to get to your destination safely. While we might understand that there is an inherent risk of being injured in a car crash or another accident, people never expect that the driver might attack them or sexually assault them.
Victims of rape and sexual assault by an Uber or Lyft driver have come forward in the past, and some have been able to file lawsuits against these companies for substantial compensation after the company failed to keep their rider safe. If the same sort of thing happened to you, call our Arlington, TX Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm today. Our attorneys offer free legal consultations to help assault and sexual assault victims with their cases. Call us at (817) 476-1797 today to set up your case consultation.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for Sexual Assault by a Driver in Arlington, TX?
Uber and Lyft are often considered safe ways to get home. Women are put into dangerous situations when trying to get home late at night or after a night of drinking, and they often turn to taxis and Ubers or Lyfts for a safe way to get home. This is often safer than relying on a ride from someone that might take advantage of them or on the risks of taking public transit. Especially if the victim is intoxicated, they might fully rely on the driver being a safe person to travel with. However, sometimes Uber and Lyft drivers turn out to be the kinds of predators that people aim to avoid by hiring a private car.
Uber and Lyft are supposed to use rigorous screening processes, and they should reject any drivers with a history of crime or dangerous driving accidents. If Uber or Lyft allows a driver to start working for them without proper screening and clearance, they could be putting riders in dangerous situations. Similarly, they should be responsible for individually screening and interviewing drivers to help ensure that their riders will be safe from assault or sexual assault while in a car.
If Uber or Lyft’s systemic mistakes allowed you to be matched with a dangerous predator, you should be entitled to hold Uber or Lyft responsible. Uber and Lyft drivers have been arrested for crimes and personally sued in court for assault and sexual assault, and in some of these cases, the companies have also been joined in the suit to hold them financially responsible for their driver’s actions.
Proving Sexual Assault Allegations Against Uber or Lyft Drivers in Arlington, TX
Our attorneys represent victims of rape and sexual assault against Uber and Lyft drivers who assaulted them. In some cases, the sexual assault might consist of inappropriate touching or grabbing, while other cases might include penetration or more forceful assault. Victims can often provide testimony of what happened, and their story will supply much of the evidence used to hold their assailant responsible.
In addition to your testimony, you could also be able to provide pictures, video, or audio captured on your phone. If someone else witnessed what happened, their testimony or video evidence will also help prove what happened to you. Lastly, some drivers have cameras in their car whose footage can be seized as evidence in an assault case. Your Uber or Lyft app will also have location data and a record of who the driver who assaulted you was.
Many survivors of sexual assault are afraid to come forward because law enforcement might not use the care and attention necessary to prosecute a sexual assault case. In some instances, rape kits and other evidence lie untested and unevaluated for years, and then if the case does go to trial to convict the rapist, sentences might be low, and restitution could be nonexistent.
In a civil lawsuit, the focus of the case is on the victim and the harm they suffered, not the defendant. The burden of proof is also lower, with the victim essentially needing to prove that it was “more likely than not” that their claim is true; the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard in criminal cases is not used. This gives victims a much better chance of winning a civil lawsuit against their assailant and the company they worked for over what might happen in a criminal case.
Compensation for Victims of Sexual Assault by an Uber/Lyft Driver in Arlington, TX
Victims of assault, sexual assault, or other intentional acts of violence and sexual violence could be entitled to damages for the harm they suffered. This can include damages to compensate you for the violation you faced, plus compensation for any pain and suffering, mental anguish, and injuries.
The compensation you can claim in court can also include the cost of any medical treatment, lost wages, or other economic damages caused by the sexual assault.
Uber and Lyft might pressure plaintiffs to settle cases at low values. Our attorneys can help guide you in understanding what your case might be worth and help negotiate for higher damages, or we can fight your case at trial if these companies refuse to pay you what you deserve. In many cases, settling a sexual assault case is good because you can avoid having to testify about your traumatic experience in open court and face cross-examination from other lawyers and judges.
Talk to a lawyer about your case today for help.
Compensation for Uber and Lyft Drivers Sexually Assaulted in Arlington
Passengers are not the only people sexually assaulted in Ubers and Lyfts. Many drivers are also subjected to assault and sexual assault, and our attorneys might be able to take your case as well. Contact us if you need help holding a rider and your employer accountable for the harm you faced while working for Uber or Lyft.
Call Our Arlington Lawyer for Victims of Sexual Assault and Rape by Uber/Lyft Drivers
If you or a loved one was raped or sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver, our attorneys might be able to help. The Queenan Law Firm’s Arlington, TX Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyers represent victims and fight to get them the financial compensation they deserve. To set up a free, no-obligation legal consultation in a confidential setting, call The Queenan Law Firm today at (817) 476-1797.