Portland Riders Deserve Safety—But Uber Has Failed Too Many
Portland is a progressive city that takes pride in inclusion, environmental values, and civic safety. Whether traveling across downtown, the Alberta Arts District, or near Portland State University, locals deserve to feel safe entering an Uber car. However, national data and first-hand survivor accounts tell a different story.
Uber's Safety Report disclosed nearly 3,824 reports of sexual assault over a two-year span, and that number likely underrepresents what is really happening, since most survivors never report their assaults.
Portland survivors have reported being sexually harassed, groped, and, tragically in some cases, raped during Uber and Lyft rides. Many of these assaults occurred late at night, when individuals were traveling alone, while the app tracked their location, and Uber and Lyft failed to intervene. In some cases, drivers had been accused of misconduct before and were allowed to continue driving.
That is not just wrong. It is negligence.
What Behavior Qualifies for a Portland Uber or Lyft Sexual Harassment Lawsuit?
Sexual assault is not limited to one act. As defined by Uber's internal reporting guidelines, the company categorized rider-reported assaults into the following groups:
- Non-consensual sexual penetration,
- Attempted non-consensual sexual penetration,
- Non-consensual kissing of a sexual body part,
- Non-consensual touching of a sexual body part, or
- Non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part.
Uber selected these categories in its Safety Report, but they do not include all forms of sexual violence or misconduct. If something happened to you during or after a ride—if you were touched without consent, followed, threatened, groped, kissed, or verbally harassed—you may have a valid civil case.
Some Uber and Lyft drivers use the pretense of helping a rider, such as offering to walk them inside or claiming to be concerned for their safety, only to cross personal and legal boundaries once they are alone. These manipulations are part of a pattern we've seen in hundreds of cases nationwide.
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft in Portland?
Yes. Survivors may be able to bring a civil case against the individual Uber or Lyft driver and against the corporations.
Uber's and Lyft's attempts to avoid responsibility by labeling drivers as "independent contractors" have not stopped courts from allowing lawsuits to proceed. Across the country, plaintiffs have alleged that Uber and Lyft acted negligently by:
- Failing to screen or investigate drivers properly,
- Ignoring prior complaints or misconduct warnings,
- Failing to suspend drivers after serious passenger reports, and
- Providing inadequate safety features or response protocols,
Levin Simes is at the forefront of litigation involving Uber and Lyft assaults and is currently pursuing claims on behalf of survivors across several states.
A Martindale-Nolo study found that survivors who worked with a Portland Uber sexual assault lawyer recovered more than three times as much compensation on average as those who pursued a civil case on their own. While no amount of money can undo the pain of what was done, compensation can help support:
- Mental health counseling and trauma therapy,
- Medical and emergency care,
- Lost income from missed work,
- Emotional suffering and PTSD-related disability, and
- Long-term healing and security.
Most importantly, a civil case can help hold Uber and Lyft legally accountable and may help prevent future assaults.
Whether your experience happened last week or years ago, your story matters, and your voice should be heard. We are not here to question your memory or your reaction. We are here to listen. Call (415) 426-3000 or reach out online to connect with us for a free case review.
Relevant Oregon Laws That Help Protect You
If the assault happened in Portland, there are a few legal resources that could make a difference in how you move forward:
- Oregon civil law allows survivors to file a personal injury claim. This statute allows you to seek compensation directly from the person or company responsible. No criminal charges are required to pursue a lawsuit.
- The Oregon Crime Victims' Compensation Program. Administered by the Department of Justice, this program offers limited financial assistance to survivors who qualify. It can cover things like counseling, medical care, or lost wages, but it's not meant to replace what you could recover through a civil case.
A Portland Lyft sexual assault lawyer can walk you through what these options could mean for you and advise you on what steps to take based on your situation.
What Should You Do If You Were Assaulted by an Uber or Lyft Driver in Portland?
In the aftermath of sexual violence, it is okay not to know what to do next. These steps can help safeguard your physical health, your options for speaking out, and your ability to pursue justice when and if you choose to:
- Get to a safe place immediately.
- Seek medical care to address any injuries and document the incident. Confidential exams are available in Portland hospitals.
- Preserve evidence like receipts, clothing, messages, or anything relevant to the Uber or Lyft ride.
- File a Uber or Lyft complaint or Portland Police report if you choose. Filing a civil case does not require either, but documentation helps.
- Contact a Portland Lyft sexual assault attorney at Levin Simes. We are here to answer your questions, even if you're unsure about legal action.
Levin Simes has already helped hundreds of other Uber and Lyft sexual assault survivors take legal action and begin the process of reclaiming their lives. Let us help you next.
"It's important to feel supported and heard. We are here to help you through each step, so you don't have to face this alone."
— Laurel L. Simes | Founding Attorney and Partner
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