Houston Lyft & Uber Sexual Assault Attorney

When You Contact Levin Simes: What to Expect

Reaching out to a Houston Lyft sexual assault attorney can feel intimidating, but it doesn't mean you have to make any immediate decisions. Every first conversation happens privately and at your pace.

Many survivors contact us to learn what their options are or to understand what the next step might look like. This short video explains what that looks like, how we listen, and the kind of support you can expect.

Our role is to listen first. You'll never be rushed, and you'll never be asked to relive details before you're ready. From the first call, our focus is on creating a safe space where you feel supported and in control.

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Understanding Sexual Assault in Rideshare Vehicles

Assault in a rideshare can take many forms, from verbal harassment to physical violence. Survivors have described incidents such as:

• Groping or unwanted sexual contact,
• Sexual comments or threats,
• Coercion or intimidation,
• Physical assault or attempted rape,
• Inappropriate exposure,
• Harassing messages after the ride, and
• Retaliation or stalking.

Each report represents a breach of trust—drivers using control of the vehicle to harm passengers who could not leave or defend themselves.

Survivors in Houston Are Speaking Out

Survivors across Houston have reported Uber and Lyft rides that turned dangerous when drivers ignored boundaries or used physical force.

Accounts include passengers leaving late-night shifts in Midtown, students returning to campus housing, and visitors heading back to hotels near the Galleria. Each trusted the platform for safe transport—and that trust was violated.

Some drivers had prior complaints but stayed active on the app. Others locked doors, refused to stop, or contacted riders afterward through social media, deepening the trauma.

Despite safety claims about GPS tracking and emergency features, assaults continue, even among drivers who passed background checks or had earlier complaints dismissed.

These failures reveal broader problems in how Uber and Lyft screen and monitor drivers.

Where Rideshare Assaults Have Been Reported in Houston

Reports of Uber and Lyft assaults span Houston's busiest areas:

• Downtown and Midtown: Late-night passengers report drivers making advances or turning aggressive.
• Washington Avenue and Montrose: Heavy weekend traffic and nightlife have led to repeated incidents.
• Rice University and University of Houston: Students using rideshares between campus and housing report harassment and assault.
• Texas Medical Center: Healthcare workers on early-morning rides home describe assaults after overnight shifts.
• The Heights and Memorial: Drivers followed passengers home or assaulted them during rides.
• George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airports: Travelers reported assaults while staying at hotels.
• NRG Stadium and George R. Brown Convention Center: Large events created opportunities for assaults after concerts and games.

These locations share common factors: high rideshare use, late hours, and passengers traveling alone—conditions that drivers who should never have been approved for exploit.

When Uber and Lyft Safety Promises Fail

Uber and Lyft advertise safety through background checks, GPS tracking, and emergency buttons. But investigations show these protections are inconsistent, leaving unsafe drivers free to continue working.

A 2025 study in Violence Against Women, "Every Eight Minutes: The Crisis of Sexual Assault in Uber Rides," found that between 2017 and 2022, Uber received reports of sexual assault or misconduct nearly every eight minutes—over 400,000 in five years.

The report found that:

• Many assaults happened during late-night rides or involved drivers with prior complaints.
• Promised safety features, such as in-car cameras and women-only ride matching, were delayed due to cost.
• Reclassifying drivers as employees, which could increase oversight, was avoided to reduce expenses.

By labeling drivers as independent contractors, Uber shields itself from legal liability. Survivors bear the impact while the company avoids accountability.

Uber has since announced a pilot program called Women+ Connect, allowing women and nonbinary passengers to request same-gender drivers. The rollout, expected in 2024, remains limited.

Background checks missed known offenses. Complaints were dismissed. Drivers with prior misconduct reports continued accepting rides.

Levin Simes represents survivors whose experiences reflect the same failures uncovered in national rideshare investigations.

Through civil law, survivors can access internal records, demand accountability from corporations, and pursue justice for assaults that never should have happened.

If you were assaulted during a rideshare trip in Houston, call (415) 426-3000 or reach out online to connect with a Houston Lyft sexual assault lawyer who can help you move forward safely.

Legal Rights and Options for Survivors in Texas

Texas law gives survivors the right to seek justice through civil courts.

Statute of Limitations

Survivors in Houston generally have five years to file a civil lawsuit. If the survivor was under 18, the deadline begins upon turning 18.

Civil claims can proceed even without criminal charges or a conviction, as they follow different legal standards.

Filing Anonymously

Texas allows survivors to use pseudonyms such as Jane Doe or John Doe to protect their privacy. Judges commonly approve this in sexual assault cases.

Claims Against Rideshare Companies

Civil claims may allege negligent hiring, supervision, or retention, showing the company failed to screen or monitor drivers properly. Other claims may address false safety marketing or ignored complaints.

No Requirement to Report

Survivors do not need to file police reports or notify Uber or Lyft before pursuing a civil case. Trip data, GPS records, and in-app communications can serve as evidence.

Levin Simes uses these legal protections to hold rideshare companies accountable under Texas law.

How Working With a Houston Uber Sexual Assault Lawyer Helps

Survivors who have legal representation in civil cases tend to recover far greater financial support than those who go through the process alone. Studies also show they're more likely to receive consistent care, safety planning, and resources throughout their case.

A Houston Uber sexual assault attorney can:

• Access Evidence: Obtain trip data, prior complaints, and internal company records unavailable to the public.
• Negotiate Effectively: Counter corporate tactics aimed at reducing financial recovery.
• Ensure Safety: Address attempts at retaliation or intimidation during the case.
• Provide Trauma-Informed Support: Attorneys trained in trauma understand how survivors process events and adjust the pace accordingly.
• Demand Change: Civil cases can push rideshare companies to strengthen safety policies for future riders.

What Survivors Have Achieved Through Civil Cases

Working with a Houston Uber sexual assault attorney can lead to more than financial recovery. Survivors describe relief in finally accessing the truth about what happened and seeing their experiences taken seriously. 

Civil cases can uncover internal company records, reveal ignored complaints, and create public accountability that protects future passengers. Many survivors say that knowing their story contributed to lasting change mattered as much as any verdict or settlement.

What It's Like to Speak With Our Team

Every conversation starts privately and at your pace. You decide what to share, and there's no obligation to move forward.

Here's what to expect:

• Confidential and Private: Your information stays protected.
• No Judgment: We believe you and understand how trauma affects memory.
• Understanding Your Situation: Share as much or as little as you choose.
• Explaining Your Options: Learn how Texas law applies and what paths are available.
• Next Steps: If you move forward, we'll explain what's needed and how we'll proceed together.

Clients tell us they feel heard for the first time when we listen without judgment. That experience matters.

I Will Forever Be Grateful

"So grateful for all the work that you, your staff, and your firm have done for me and other victims (survivors) in this situation! I will forever be grateful."

— C.R., Levin & Simes Client

Houston Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault

If you experienced sexual assault during a rideshare trip, confidential help is available in Houston. These organizations provide crisis response, counseling, and trauma recovery.

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RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)

Provides 24/7 confidential support by phone and live chat. Trained staff offer crisis counseling and connect callers to local care providers. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit online.
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Memorial Hermann Hospital SAFE Program

Operates a 24-hour hospital-based team offering medical evaluation and access to trauma counseling. Survivors can request care without filing a police report.
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University of Houston CARE 

Provides confidential counseling and mental-health support for UH students affected by sexual assault or harassment.

These services are independent of the police and courts. You can reach out anytime for emotional or medical care, whether or not you choose to file a report or case.

Why Survivors Choose Levin Simes

Levin Simes is a women-led, trauma-informed law firm with national experience in rideshare assault cases. Our attorneys have represented more than 500 survivors across the U.S.

• Women-Led. Trauma-Informed. Compassionate, patient advocacy grounded in understanding trauma.
• Nationally Recognized Leadership. Featured by CNN, Bloomberg, NPR, CBS, Good Morning America, The Guardian, and Reuters.
• Privacy Protection. You can file anonymously; your identity remains confidential.
• Space to Be Heard. You don't need a plan before reaching out. We'll listen first, then explain your rights.

"Your voice matters. When you decide to reach out, we'll be here to walk with you."

— The Attorneys at Levin Simes