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Uber and Lyft have both acknowledged receiving thousands of complaints of sexual assaults perpetrated by their drivers. Uber has issued multiple safety reports in which it acknowledges receiving these complaints, while Lyft issued a Safety Transparency Report last year in which it made similar acknowledgements. These complaints have also triggered thousands of lawsuits across the country. If you have been sexually assaulted in an Uber or Lyft, learn what you need to know about asserting your legal rights from the Fort Myers injury lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Rideshare Sexual Assault Victims Can (and Should) Take Legal Action

Rideshare passengers who have been sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver can (and should) take legal action. As noted above, thousands of passengers have taken legal action already. Uber alone is facing more than 2,500 lawsuits in national multidistrict litigation (MDL)—and this litigation does not encompass all pending sexual assault lawsuits against the company.

While the allegations against Uber and Lyft have not yet been proven, rideshare sexual assault victims are seeking to hold these companies liable on several grounds. Some of the key allegations in rideshare sexual assault lawsuits filed to date include:

• Uber and Lyft failed to conduct adequate background checks for their drivers;
• Uber and Lyft failed to implement necessary safety protocols to protect their riders; and,
• Uber and Lyft ignored known risks for rideshare passenger sexual assaults.

If proven, each of these allegations on its own would be enough to clearly establish liability for rideshare sexual assault victims’ medical costs, psychological trauma, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses. The more victims who come forward, the more pressure Uber and Lyft will face not only to settle victims’ claims, but also to implement practices focused on protecting riders in the future.

Talking to a Lawyer is the First Step Toward Seeking Accountability

As we discussed in a post last year, if you are a victim of a rideshare sexual assault, there are several important steps you should try to take promptly. Talking to a lawyer at Spivey Law Firm is the first step toward seeking accountability. When you schedule a free consultation with one of our Fort Myers injury lawyers, your lawyer will be able to:

• Explain the Ongoing Rideshare Sexual Assault Litigation – Your lawyer can explain the current status of the ongoing rideshare sexual assault litigation against Uber and Lyft. Your lawyer can explain the allegations in the litigation, the types of claims that have been filed, and what we expect in terms of next steps.
• Provide a Preliminary Assessment of Your Legal Rights – Your lawyer can also provide a preliminary assessment of your legal rights. Based on the information you are able to provide, your lawyer can assess whether it appears that you have grounds to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft.
• Help You Make Informed Decisions About Your Next Steps – If it appears that you have grounds to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will help you make informed decisions about your next steps. If time is of the essence, your lawyer will also help ensure that you do not run out of time to preserve your legal rights.

If you decide that you want to move forward with pursuing a claim against Uber or Lyft, your lawyer will then begin the process of gathering the evidence needed to substantiate your claim before filing a lawsuit on your behalf. You can expect to remain in close contact with your lawyer throughout this process, and your lawyer will be more than happy to answer any questions that may come up as you think more about the weeks and months ahead.

Rideshare Sexual Assault Victims May Be Entitled to Significant Financial Compensation (and Other Remedies)

For victims of rideshare sexual assaults, there are several reasons to strongly consider filing a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft. Among them, the lifetime costs of a sexual assault can be substantial. If you have a claim against Uber or Lyft, the Fort Myers injury lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. can help you seek full compensation for your present and future:

• Medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs;
• Lost earnings (if you are unable to work); and,
• Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other non-financial losses.

In many cases, victims are also seeking to force changes to Uber’s and Lyft’s safety practices. Even if only a very small percentage of rideshare passengers report being victimized (which is one of Uber’s and Lyft’s main arguments in support of their safety records), the scope of the problem is still significant—and, of course, the reality is that no one should be forced to endure the life-altering consequences of a sexual assault. Thus, if you decide to take legal action, not only might you be able to recover financial compensation for the consequences of your ordeal, but you might be able to help protect other riders as well.

If you are interested in learning more about the remedies you can seek if you decide to take legal action, our lawyers can explain everything you need to know.

In any event, if you are a victim of a rideshare sexual assault, it is important to get the help you need, and it is important to ensure that you make an informed decision about seeking accountability. The latter costs you nothing. Our Fort Myers injury lawyers are passionate about fighting for victims’ rights, and if you decide that you want to pursue a claim against Uber or Lyft, we are more than prepared to fight for the outcome you deserve.

Contact Our Fort Myers Injury Lawyers for a Free and Confidential Consultation

This year, Attorney Randall L. Spivey was recognized for 30 years of representing those who are injured in Florida by the negligence of others.  He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Florida Bar Association, where less than 1% of all attorneys in Florida are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. He is also rated by Martindale-Hubbell as a Preeminent Attorney, which is the highest level for professional excellence and the highest level of skill and integrity. Randall Spivey is also repeatedly recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer for attaining a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement by Super Lawyers magazine. Further, Randall Spivey has been selected as a Top 100 Trial Lawyers, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field.

If you have questions about your legal rights as a rideshare sexual assault victim in Florida, we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information. To speak with experienced Fort Myers injury lawyer Randall L. Spivey about your situation in confidence, please call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at (239) 337-7483, toll-free at 888-477-4839, or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com today.