How Common Is Rideshare Sexual Assault in North Carolina?
Public reporting has never fully reflected the scale of the problem.
Uber’s own safety reports documented thousands of sexual assaults in the most serious categories in a single year. Lyft reported similar numbers across a shorter reporting period.
These figures include non-consensual touching, attempted sexual assault, and rape.
Independent investigations revealed a much larger reality. Between 2017 and 2022, Uber received sexual assault or misconduct reports approximately every eight minutes.
That equates to hundreds of thousands of incidents, many of which were never disclosed publicly.
North Carolina passengers face the same risks. Dense nightlife areas, limited late-night public transportation, college campuses, and tourism hubs create heavy reliance on rideshare services. Each ride represents an act of trust that should never be exploited.
What Rideshare Sexual Misconduct Can Look Like
Survivors often question whether what happened “counts.” That uncertainty is common and understandable.
Sexual assault by a rideshare driver can include:
- Unwanted touching of any kind;
- Sexual comments, propositions, or pressure;
- Exposure or indecent behavior;
- Route manipulation or refusal to end the ride;
- Coercion through control of the vehicle; or
- Messaging after the ride with sexual content.
Physical violence is not required. The power imbalance between a driver and a passenger can create coercion without resorting to force. If a driver’s behavior made you feel unsafe, trapped, or unable to refuse, that matters.
What to Consider After a Rideshare Assault
There is no correct way to respond to sexual assault. Survivors react differently in response to shock, fear, and survival instincts.
Some considerations that may help preserve options include:
- Seeking medical care when possible, even if you do not plan to report;
- Saving screenshots of ride details and driver information;
- Preserving messages or app communications; and
- Writing down what you remember.
Reporting to Uber or Lyft creates a company record, but survivors should know that internal responses have often minimized or dismissed complaints. Reporting to the police is always your choice and is not required to pursue a civil case.
Support resources are available throughout North Carolina, including local crisis centers and national hotlines like RAINN. Legal action can be considered later, when and if you are ready.
How Rideshare Sexual Assault Cases Typically Unfold
Many survivors worry that pursuing accountability will mean reliving the assault repeatedly or losing control over the process. In reality, rideshare assault cases usually unfold in stages, and survivors remain in control throughout.
The process often begins with a conversation. Survivors share what they feel comfortable sharing, ask questions, and learn about the options available. No decisions are required at this stage.
If a case moves forward, attorneys gather evidence that survivors should not have to chase themselves. This may include ride data, driver records, internal company communications, and prior complaints involving the same driver. Much of this information is not available without legal action.
Many cases resolve through negotiation once the whole picture becomes clear. Others proceed to litigation when companies refuse to accept responsibility. Throughout the process, survivors choose how involved they want to be and when. Nothing moves forward without consent.
You are not expected to have all the answers right now. Many survivors reach out to ask questions or talk through what happened in a private setting. Levin Simes offers free, confidential consultations focused on listening and support.
When you are ready to take the next step, we are here. Call (415) 426-3000 to speak with a North Carolina Uber sexual assault attorney.
Why Uber and Lyft Can Be Held Accountable
The driver who committed the assault is responsible for their actions. Civil cases can also hold Uber and Lyft accountable for failures that allowed dangerous drivers access to passengers.
Through litigation, Levin Simes has uncovered internal company documents showing that both companies knew about safety risks for years. Complaints about inappropriate behavior were often treated as isolated incidents rather than as warning signs. Drivers with concerning histories remained active on the platforms.
Our attorneys have deposed corporate executives, analyzed internal safety data, and demonstrated how growth was prioritized over passenger protection. Media outlets, including CNN, NPR, and The Guardian, have covered this work, helping expose the systemic nature of rideshare assault.
Corporate accountability matters not only for compensation but also to prevent future harm.
What Often Happens After Survivors Report to Uber or Lyft
Many survivors expect that reporting an assault will result in swift action. In practice, company responses are often limited.
Survivors may receive automated messages, vague assurances, or requests to restate details multiple times. Drivers are sometimes temporarily removed from the platform, only to be reinstated later. Information about investigations is rarely shared.
Internal reviews are not designed to center on survivor well-being or transparency. They exist to manage company risk. This disconnect leaves many survivors feeling dismissed or unheard.
Legal action changes that dynamic. It creates enforceable obligations, requires disclosure of internal records, and shifts decision-making out of private company systems and into a forum where accountability is possible.
Why Many Survivors Do Not Come Forward Right Away
Delays in reporting are common and do not undermine the credibility of the assault.
Survivors may remain silent because they are in shock, struggling to process what happened, or unsure whether they will be believed. Some fear retaliation, exposure, or being blamed. Others worry about disrupting their lives or revisiting trauma.
Cultural expectations, family pressure, and prior negative experiences with authority figures can also influence timing. These reactions are normal responses to trauma.
Coming forward later does not make the harm any less real. Legal systems increasingly recognize that delayed disclosure is a common feature of sexual assault, not a sign of dishonesty.
Your Rights Under North Carolina Law
North Carolina law allows survivors to pursue civil claims against drivers and rideshare companies.
Adult survivors generally have three years from the assault to file a civil lawsuit. Survivors who were minors at the time of abuse have extended deadlines under the SAFE Child Act.
Civil cases are separate from criminal proceedings. You do not need a police report, criminal charges, or a conviction to pursue compensation. The legal standard is different, and many successful civil cases move forward without criminal prosecution.
Compensation may include therapy costs, medical care, lost income, and damages for emotional harm and trauma. In cases involving egregious corporate conduct, additional damages may apply.
Studies consistently show that survivors represented by experienced rideshare assault attorneys recover significantly more compensation than those who attempt to pursue claims on their own.
How Levin Simes Supports Survivors of Uber and Lyft Assaults
Levin Simes is a women-led firm with decades of experience representing survivors of sexual violence, including those harmed during Uber and Lyft rides. We combine strategic litigation with trauma-informed care, recognizing that how a case is handled matters as much as the outcome.
Our approach centers on listening without judgment, explaining options clearly, and allowing survivors to control the pace and direction of their case. We handle communication with rideshare companies and insurers so survivors are not forced to engage directly, and we work on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs.
Survivors harmed during Lyft rides may work with a North Carolina Lyft sexual assault lawyer who understands how to uncover internal records, challenge company defenses, and pursue accountability beyond the driver alone. The same experience applies to cases involving Uber, where corporate policies and prior warnings often play a central role.
Confidentiality matters. North Carolina law allows survivors to request the use of pseudonyms in court filings, and we take every available step to protect privacy throughout the process.
Survivors we represent often share how meaningful it was to feel respected and protected:
“The attorneys at Levin Simes Abrams LLP were extremely helpful and always kept my best interest and confidentiality in mind.” — M.S.
“I will forever be thankful for the team at Levin Simes. Thank you for fighting for the justice I deserved.” — L.C.
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