Lyft Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Rape Lawyers

Q: What Is Lyft Mediation and Arbitration?

What Happens When You Report Someone on Lyft? Lyft announced they would drop terms of service restricting survivors of sexual assault from filing lawsuits. Previously the firms used terms of service in their app to force injured women to settle cases in mandatory arbitration. Now, when reporting someone due to a Lyft sexual assault, the survivor can directly file a lawsuit in connection with an incident. Uber also dropped the requirement. Uber’s Chief Legal Officer Tony West wrote they “will no longer require mandatory arbitration for individual claims of sexual assault or sexual harassment by Uber riders, drivers or employees.” Lyft then followed with a similar matching announcement.

You are not alone if you have been assaulted, and you have options.

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When Do You Need a Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer?

The women-led law firm of Levin Simes Abrams is representing hundreds of survivors who were sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, kidnapped, or raped by Uber and Lyft drivers.

Noted as the “national leaders” in rideshare sexual assault cases, the women of Levin Simes Abrams are fighting back on behalf of survivors seeking to hold Lyft accountable for unsafe practices. Scores of women across the country are taking their Lyft survivor stories to court with the help of Levin Simes Abrams attorneys.

Our work for rideshare assault survivors has been covered by CNN, NBC, CBS, Bloomberg, Buzzfeed, Vice and more.

Was Lyft’s Rebranding as a “Woke” Company True?

Lyft, facing large losses as the smaller rideshare app, was gifted a second chance to rebrand in the wake of Uber’s much publicized problems. Uber had a series of scandals, peaking in 2017, which led to the removal of their original CEO and appointment of new management for damage control and to address the toxic culture.

Lyft responded to Uber’s woes by branding itself as a “woke” alternative. Despite management’s words, Lyft’s business model of simply copying Uber’s business practices continued. Lyft previously demanded – like Uber – that rape survivors’ claims be submitted to arbitration. It was only after Uber announced it would stop forcing survivors of sexual assault into arbitration that Lyft followed. Uber updated its app to provide new safety features such as a panic button. Lyft waited a year, then announced it would do the same. Uber added ongoing background checks for drivers. Lyft waited a year before following Uber’s lead. Uber released a report detailing the thousands of reported sexual assaults in received over 24 months, Lyft has yet to report their figures.

The number of ride-hail sexual assault survivors Levin Simes Abrams represents is in the hundreds. Scroll below to hear our Lyft assault lawyers discuss their recent “Jane Doe” lawsuits against Lyft on NPR’s All Things Considered and on Press Play. Our work has been covered by Vice, Bloomberg, CNN, and more.

How Much Are Lyft Settlements?

When it comes to Lyft sexual assault claims, there is no set settlement amount. Each case is different, and the damages awarded or settlement amount obtained will vary with each claim. However, filing a Lyft sexual assault lawsuit can help you recover many costs and losses, which can include:

Medical bills and expenses
Costs of ongoing rehablititation and therapy
Lost wages from missing work
Loss of the ability to generate future wages
Pain and suffering losses
Other costs caused by the sexual assault

If you or a loved one were sexually assaulted in connection with a Lyft ride, you have every right to seek justice. Filing a claim promptly can help you obtain the settlement amount needed for your recovery.

Filing a claim can also help expose and uncover other instances of abuse, and may prevent sexual assaults in the future. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at (415) 426-3000 to learn about your legal rights and options.

How Can You Talk to a Lyft Case Lawyer Today?

Levin Simes Abrams represents hundreds of rideshare survivors of sexual assault and harassment. If you or a loved one was harassed or assaulted and want a private discussion with an attorney, please contact us online, call our rideshare lawyers at (415) 426-3000, or email your case [email protected]. We can set up a private time to talk and discuss the case.

What Are Real Lyft Sexual Assault Survivor Stories? (Trigger Warning)

How Many Sexual Assault Cases Does Lyft Have?

In a Community Safety Report, Lyft stated that it received more than 4,000 reports of sexual assault between 2017 and 2019 in connection with its platform. Reports of sexual assault increased from 1,100 in 2017 to 1,800 in 2019. The following are accounts of various incidents reported by survivors:

Alison Turkos was kidnapped at gunpoint by her Lyft driver, driven across state lines to an isolated park, and subjected to a brutal gang rape by the Lyft driver and two other men who cheered each other on and high fived each other as they took turns raping Ms. Turkos. Levin Simes Abrams filed her case on September 17, 2019. The FBI is investigating this case as a case of human trafficking.

One woman, a resident of Louisiana, told NPR’s All Things Considered that after spending an evening with a friend in New Orleans, she was raped and sodomized by her Lyft driver. Levin Simes Abrams filed her case in August 2019.

Another woman ordered a Lyft after a night out in San Diego. The driver walked her to her door, made his way into her home, and raped her. Levin Simes Abrams filed her case in August 2019.

One woman was sexually assaulted and battered by her driver, who then returned to her residence and broke in. She remains debilitated by the effects of her assault. Levin Simes filed her case on September 17, 2019.

Another woman was attacked by a driver who signed up for Lyft using a stolen ID. Lyft failed to recognize the problem and allowed the driver to use the network and assault his passenger. Levin Simes filed her case on September 17, 2019.

Lyft Sexual Assault Policies

Does Lyft Do Driver Background Checks?

Both Lyft and Uber’s negligent hiring practices and insufficient background checks on drivers have created easy opportunity for sexual and/or physical assault on passengers. Our team of lawyers will protect the identity of any individual who has experienced such an event, and vigorously advocate to get them just compensation for what they endured.

Uber settled a lawsuit filed by the District Attorneys of Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2015 for $25 million, for what the government asserted was false and misleading statements regarding safety. They are now adding features such as in-app 911 calling to try and turn around a history of lax safety. A CNN report identified over a hundred instances in the United States of assault, battery, or sexual assault during rideshares.

What Is Lyft Mediation and Arbitration?

What Happens When You Report Someone on Lyft?

Lyft announced they would drop terms of service restricting survivors of sexual assault from filing lawsuits. Previously the firms used terms of service in their app to force injured women to settle cases in mandatory arbitration. Now, when reporting someone due to a Lyft sexual assault, the survivor can directly file a lawsuit in connection with an incident.

Uber also dropped the requirement. Uber’s Chief Legal Officer Tony West wrote they “will no longer require mandatory arbitration for individual claims of sexual assault or sexual harassment by Uber riders, drivers or employees.” Lyft then followed with a similar matching announcement.

What Should You Do If You Were Assaulted By Your Lyft Driver?

Ensure you are in a safe place. Call friends or family.

If you are injured, go to a hospital.

After you are safe, make a report.

Take notes of the incident now and include important details.

Speak with an attorney to ensure your rights are protected.

To see the full article on what to do if you were assaulted, read more here.

Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer

Levin Simes Abrams has and will continue to stay at the forefront of rideshare litigation. If you or a loved one were involved in an incident in a Lyft vehicle, call (415) 426-3000 or email [email protected] to speak with our assault attorneys.

Laurel Simes Appears on KCRW to Discuss Lyft Sexual Assaults

Learn more about this podcast episode here.

Levin Simes Abrams partner Laurel Simes appeared on KCRW’s Press Play with Madeleine Brand to discuss recent lawsuits her firm has filed against Lyft for rideshare sexual assaults. Levin Simes Abrams brought these initial lawsuits on behalf of seven female riders who had been sexually harassed, assaulted, or raped by poorly vetted Lyft drivers.

Madeleine and Laurel discuss assaults in the filed “Jane Doe” cases, the history of rideshare and how these companies vet new drivers, and how Lyft is liable for the actions of their drivers in failing to provide a safe ride to passengers.

The suits come just two years after the president of the ride sharing app described Lyft as the “woke counterpart” to Uber. Uber, at that time, was dealing with its own sexual harassment scandal.
Last year, a CNN investigation also found that more than 100 Uber drivers had been accused of sexually assaulting passengers in the past four years.
So how safe is it to get into a Lyft or Uber?

Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyers Laurel Simes and Rachel Abrams on NPR All Things Considered

Listen to partners Laurel Simes and Rachel Abrams here:

NPR’s All Things Considered talked with the female-led law firm of Levin Simes Abrams regarding their work helping dozens of survivors of sexual assault by Lyft drivers. Levin Simes Abrams filed multiple lawsuits alleging Lyft drivers raped, kidnapped, or assaulted passengers, and Lyft has not taken action to lessen or prevent the risk of sexual assault.