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Disclosing a sexual assault helps document, so report an attack to the police if you can. Then, let us launch a prompt investigation so we can file timely claim on your behalf. Drivers who are also repeat offenders might sign up under a different name altogether, making it even harder for victims to get justice.
We can help identify these “ghost drivers” using our own investigation tactics and speaking to the police, who may seek criminal charges. Your case may or may not go to trial, where punitive damages may be possible as well as compensatory damages. We can calculate your deserved recovery and estimate your likely jury award, helping you decide whether to settle or go to court.
For a free case analysis, call The Queenan Law Firm’s attorneys for sexual assault in an Uber or Lyft at (817) 476-1797.
Who Should You Do After a Rideshare Sexual Assault in Grand Prairie?
If you feel capable, file a report with law enforcement after you are sexually assaulted in an Uber or Lyft. You can also tell people you love and trust what happened to you, seek medical attention, and contact our lawyers.
Disclose the Assault
Disclosing an assault is one of the most significant things you can do. You can file a police report and tell law enforcement what happened. You can also disclose the assault to your therapist or a trusted family member. If you get medical attention, tell the physicians treating you how and why you were injured so that it is reflected in your medical records.
Start an Investigation
We may further investigate a rideshare company’s practices of hiring and screening prospective drivers or to see if it has gotten previous reports about the driver who assaulted you. Let us start the investigation as soon as possible. Our attorneys for sexual assault in an Uber or Lyft can obtain any relevant evidence for your case to ensure it does not get lost or destroyed.
What if a Ghost Driver Sexually Assaults You in an Uber or Lyft?
Rideshare drivers who have previously sexually assaulted riders or would not pass a background check and be hired for other reasons might operate as “ghost drivers.” These drivers are more likely to sexually assault riders, and our attorneys can help victims track them down.
If a ghost driver assaults you, the app may not be able to identify them, but our lawyers may be able to do so after investigating. Minor details you can provide may be helpful, as might security camera footage of the driver’s vehicle and license plate.
Tell us the route your ride took, and we may get footage from local businesses or homes with surveillance systems that helps.
Law enforcement may also investigate to identify a ghost driver if you report the sexual assault to the police.
When is the Latest You Can File an Uber or Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
The latest you can file a sexual assault lawsuit in Texas is five years from the day of the assault, according to Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045(b). You do not have to wait that long and can file your lawsuit much sooner with our attorneys’ help.
The five-year statute of limitations for sexual assault lawsuits is longer than the two-year statute of limitations for regular personal injury lawsuits. However, it is still not that much time. It may take you a long while to come to terms with an assault and feel comfortable speaking out. As long as the statute of limitations has not passed, we may still file your lawsuit, so contact us about your case.
A defendant’s temporary absence from the state may pause the statute of limitations, giving you longer to sue. We can see if any exceptions apply and use them if necessary to file your lawsuit.
Will My Grand Prairie Rideshare Sexual Assault Case Go to Trial?
You largely decide whether your Grand Prairie Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit goes to court or settles without a trial. We can help make that crucial decision, however, and make sure you know all your options.
Lowball settlement offers may understandably offend victims, so let us handle the negotiations. We can demand compensation for all economic and non-economic damages and refuse unfair proposals.
Some victims decide against settling from the beginning, always with the goal of proving liability for sexual assault injuries and damages in court. We will explain what to expect from a trial, what your likely jury award will be, and how long your case may take to resolve.
If there is a trial, you may testify. When speaking on the stand, you can identify the person who assaulted you, explain how they assaulted you, and describe the damages you have endured because of the assault. Your testimony may be very clarifying for the jury, making it important evidence.
Are Punitive Damages Possible in Uber or Lyft Sexual Lawsuits?
Texas permits punitive damages or exemplary damages when injury results from fraud, malice, or gross negligence, according to § 41.003(a). Punitive damages are only recoverable from trials, though we may use the potential for punitive damages to leverage a larger settlement.
Although Texas caps punitive damages in many injury lawsuits, it does not for plaintiffs who are also victims of certain sexual crimes and other offenses. We can ask for punitive damages when we file the complaint and illustrate why you deserve them when proving your case.
No damages are guaranteed in an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawsuit, especially punitive damages. Still, let us see if they are available to you based on the defendant’s or defendants’ conduct and convince the jury to award them.
Call Our Grand Prairie Lawyers to Talk About Your Case
For a free case evaluation, call The Queenan Law Firm’s attorneys for sexual assault in an Uber or Lyft now at (817) 476-1797.