Maryland Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer
While rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber have provided a convenient means of short-distance transportation for millions of users across Maryland, they have also failed to ensure protection from untrustworthy drivers for everyone who uses their app. Unfortunately, this has led to thousands of sexual harassment and sexual assault reports being filed with these companies, with countless similar experiences likely going unreported.
Anyone who suffers harm because they were sexually assaulted by their rideshare driver deserves fair financial restitution for their losses, and a qualified Maryland rideshare sexual assault lawyer could help you pursue compensation for yours. By working with an experienced and compassionate sexual assault attorney, you could more effectively enforce your rights while also trusting that your legal counsel will do everything possible to keep your identity confidential and protect your best interests.
Recovering for the Impacts of Sexual Assault
Regardless of how a related criminal case progresses or even whether criminal charges are involved at all, a person who experiences sexual assault at the hands of a rideshare driver in Maryland may pursue financial recovery for their injuries and subsequent damages through a personal injury claim. Importantly, while there is no statute of limitations for criminal allegations of sexual assault in Maryland, a three-year statutory filing deadline does apply to many civil claims of this nature, although individuals who experienced sexual assault as minors may have up to 20 years after their 18th birthday to file suit.
Through a successful claim, a person who was hurt due to sexual assault may demand compensation for both economic and non-economic effects of that assault. This means that a comprehensive settlement or court award may include money not only for objective financial losses like medical expenses and lost work income, but also subjective forms of “pain and suffering” like physical and emotional anguish, psychological trauma, lost consortium, and lost enjoyment of life.
Furthermore, because an act of sexual assault may constitute “conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,” punitive damages may also be available to sexual assault survivors depending on the circumstances. A seasoned Maryland rideshare sexual assault attorney could clarify what damages may be available to a particular plaintiff over the course of a private consultation.
How Do Rideshare Companies Address Sexual Assault?
Fortunately, as of 2020, neither Uber nor Lyft mandates that sexual assault allegations submitted against their drivers proceed through company-controlled arbitration. This means that individuals who suffer harm as a result of rideshare sexual assault have the right to pursue third-party litigation if they wish to do so, rather than being forced to go through mediation and other unfriendly proceedings with their attacker and potentially that party’s employer.
That being said, these companies still maintain negligent hiring practices in many situations that fail to identify potentially dangerous drivers from using their platform, leading to an avoidable increase in risk to passengers. If applicable, a rideshare sexual assault lawyer in Maryland could discuss legal options for holding a rideshare company liable for abuse committed by one of their drivers or riders.
Talk to a Maryland Rideshare Sexual Assault Attorney in Confidence
Thousands of sexual assaults occur every year inside Uber and Lyft vehicles, many of them passively enabled by the lax approach these companies take to rider safety. If you sustained harm because you were attacked by a rideshare driver or passenger, you may have grounds for civil litigation that are worth discussing with qualified legal counsel.
A compassionate Maryland rideshare sexual assault lawyer could help you understand your rights and work with you to seek a positive resolution to whatever action you choose to pursue. Call today to learn more.
