DC Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer
Despite the degree to which rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have come to dominate the personal transportation industry in recent years, these companies and other smaller ones like them have been slow to adopt safety procedures that could help ensure a safe experience for every app user. Unfortunately, this has led to far too many instances of sexual assault by rideshare drivers against their passengers.
If you suffered harm because your rideshare driver assaulted you, you may have grounds for civil litigation that an experienced sexual assault attorney could help you utilize. A DC rideshare sexual assault lawyer could be a crucial ally to have at your side when demanding the restitution you deserve for the unjust experience you never should have had.
Who Could Be Civilly Liable for a Rideshare Sexual Assault?
According to data collected by Uber, passengers and drivers reported nearly 6,000 instances of sexual assault to the company throughout 2017 and 2018, and it is unfortunately safe to assume that a large number of other assaults were not reported in this way. Up until very recently, though, both Uber and Lyft required individuals alleging assault by a rideshare driver to go through arbitration rather than filing a lawsuit in civil court, significantly limiting their options for fair financial recovery.
Fortunately, both companies rescinded these terms of service in 2020, meaning survivors of sexual assault committed by rideshare drivers can now choose to file a third-party lawsuit if they wish to do so. However, save for a few small features like in-app 911 call capabilities, they have still largely failed to institute what should be industry-standard practices to protect passengers from possible harm, such as more in-depth background checks for contracted drivers.
In light of that, Uber or Lyft may bear direct liability in some situations for allowing someone with a history of abusive and/or criminal behavior to be employed by their service. A DC rideshare sexual assault attorney could go over specific legal options based on an individual plaintiff’s circumstances during a private consultation.
Recoverable Damages Through Successful Litigation
Washington, DC recently loosened its statute of limitations for civil sexual assault claims, allowing plaintiffs who experienced assault while under 35 years of age until their 40th birthday or five years after their assault—whichever comes later—to file suit, and allowing plaintiffs who were harmed after turning 35 up to five years after discovering their injuries to file suit. Furthermore, since this type of lawsuit falls within the purview of personal injury law, successful plaintiffs may demand financial restitution for all forms of harm they can trace directly back to the assaultive action of the defendant in their claim.
Depending on the situation, a skilled and compassionate lawyer could help pursue compensation for some or all the following damages stemming from a rideshare sexual assault in Washington, DC:
- Medical expenses, including costs of physical and/or psychiatric therapy
- Personal property damage
- Physical pain
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Lost enjoyment of life
Talk to a DC Rideshare Sexual Assault Attorney About Legal Options
Nobody should have to go through the physical and emotional harm that sexual assault can cause, including users of rideshare apps. Unfortunately, the companies that operate those apps have not done as much as they should to prevent these kinds of incidents from occurring, which could potentially open them up to civil liability.
A qualified DC rideshare sexual assault lawyer could work tenaciously on your behalf to pursue a fair resolution to your claim. Call today to schedule a meeting.