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Introduction
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft were built on the platform of safe, dependable, and convenient travel—promoting a commitment to your safety. Riders use Uber and Lyft to safely get home after a night out or to get around an unfamiliar city with dependable and trustworthy transportation. But recent reports that thousands of Uber and Lyft passengers have been sexually assaulted raise serious concerns about whether these rideshare companies are doing enough to keep their riders safe.
According to Uber’s safety and incident reporting data, the company received more than 3,800 sexual assault reports between 2019 and 2020. Likewise, Lyft received more than 2,600 sexual assault reports between 2020 and 2022, according to Lyft’s Safety Transparency report. Both numbers reflect incidents that were reported to the companies within 48 hours after a ride was completed and do not include instances where these tragic and traumatic events were not reported. We believe these statistics demonstrate that Uber and Lyft are failing their obligation to protect the safety of their riders.
One thing is clear: people are getting hurt. This website provides information about how to approach rideshare safety in a proactive manner. Additionally, for those who have been harmed in a rideshare incident, you’ll find contact information for attorneys who can help you seek justice and accountability for what you’ve gone through.
We Care About Your Safety
While sexual assault is never the victim’s fault, there are some proactive steps that riders can take to minimize the risk of harm while using rideshare apps. Below is a list of proactive safety tips.
Request your ride from indoors
Avoid waiting outside and be aware of your surroundings.
Check the driver’s ratings
Read recent reviews your drivers have received and ensure they have a high average rating before accepting the ride.
Confirm the car
Before getting in the vehicle, confirm that the car approaching your pickup area has the correct license plate, vehicle description, and driver. Wait until the driver confirms your name—never offer it first.
Sit in the back seat
This decreases your proximity to the driver and can reduce the chance of unwanted contact.
Tell a friend or family member
Tell a friend or family member that you have requested a ride, where you are being picked up, and approximately what time you should arrive.
Turn on in-app safety features
Riders can take advantage of app features that let them share their trip status. This can share details of your ride such as the ride location and your driver’s name, photo, and vehicle info with a friend or family member.
Be aware of your surroundings
During the ride, be aware of the route and streets the driver is taking to ensure they are heading in the correct direction of your destination. If you suspect the driver is going somewhere other than your destination, trust your instincts and call 911.
Call for help
If you believe you’re in danger, the rideshare app itself should have an emergency contact feature that can alert authorities immediately of your whereabouts.
We Can Help
SupportingSurvivors.com is a website operated by attorneys of Zimmerman Reed. Our firm’s purpose is simple—be the voice for those who need one. We are committed to supporting those who have been injured and helping them seek justice and accountability. We stand by our clients with dedication, purpose, and integrity, and we never forget who we are fighting for.
We also understand how to protect our clients’ privacy and the importance of feeling safe following traumatic experiences. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault, know that you are not alone—we can help.
Our attorneys can review your situation and give you advice, guidance, and support you need so you can make informed decisions that are right for you. We assure you that any information you entrust to us is safe and will be met with the utmost empathy, honesty, and confidentiality. Get to know more about our team.