Los Angeles Lyft Sexual Assault Attorney

Female passenger sitting in a lyft

If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual assault by a Lyft driver in California, you may be entitled to significant compensation. First, seek medical attention and report the assault to law enforcement and Lyft. Then contact J&Y Law. Our firm skillfully handles injury claims for sexual assault victims. 

Lyft boasts that its ridesharing services are safe and convenient; however, thousands of its passengers have reported assaults. We have the skills and determination to hold Lyft and the offender accountable and will do everything we can to protect your rights. When you meet with us, we will provide a secure environment where you can make informed choices about the next steps. Contact our office today to speak to an experienced Lyft sexual assault attorney. 

Sexual Assault Incidents Reported To Lyft

Lyft claims that safety incidents are “statistically rare.” Between 2017 and 2019, more than 4,000 sexual assaults were reported, according to the company’s 2021 Safety Report. And the number of sexual assaults increased from 1,100 in 2017 to nearly 1800 in 2019. The allegations reported by Lyft passengers include: 

  • 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
  • Non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part

More than half of the assaults in 2019 involved “non-consensual touching of a sexual body part” and another 156 involved non-consensual sexual penetration. Even though the number of Lyft sexual assaults is a fraction of the total number of rideshares, Lyft must be held accountable for the actions of its drivers.

Reasons For Lyft Sexual Assaults

Factors involved in Lyft sexual assaults include:

  • Limited background checks – Although Lyft conducts criminal background checks, the company does not fingerprint or drug test applicants
  • Lack of training – Drivers only need to be licensed one year at a time of hire and are not trained by the company 
  • Fake driver accounts – Perpetrators have created fake Lyft driver accounts that have gone undetected

Despite these factors, sexual assault is a crime. You have a right to file a civil lawsuit against Lyft regardless of whether the perpetrator is charged or convicted. 

What Is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any form of sexual contact by another without consent. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), hundreds of thousands of adults are victimized each year, including Lyft passengers. Forms of sexual assault include:

  • Forcible penetration of the victim’s body (rape)
  • Attempted rape
  • Unwanted sexual touching (fondling)
  • Forcing a victim to perform sex acts

Women are more at risk of being sexually assaulted than men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, while 1 in 39 men acknowledge being victims. 

Who is Responsible?

Your assailant may be directly liable for their actions, but Lyft can also be liable for:

  • Negligent hiring
  • Negligent supervision
  • Negligent retention
  • Negligent infliction of emotional distress

Our attorneys can help you file a civil lawsuit against Lyft and its driver to recover damages. You should know that the burden of proof is lower in a civil proceeding than in a criminal case. We only must show that the defendant is liable by a “preponderance of the evidence” or that it is more likely than not that the Lyft driver assaulted you. In addition, Lyft can be held liable for not preventing the assault and cannot avoid liability by claiming its drivers are independent contractors. 

How J&Y Law Can Help

We understand the trauma you’ve been through and will provide compassionate representation when you need it most. Our legal team will: 

  • Investigate the Lyft sexual assault allegations
  • Obtain and review the police report
  • Subpoena records of the complaint from Lyft
  • Subpoena the Lyft driver’s app, GPS device, and any onboard video surveillance
  • Interview witnesses, including the alleged assailant
  • Negotiate a settlement with Lyft and its attorneys
  • File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary

We can help you recover damages, such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages – present and future
  • Compensatory damages for pain and suffering
  • Emotional Distress
  • Costs of psychological counseling
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Our tenacious attorneys will fight to protect your rights and get you just compensation through negotiation or litigation. 

Representing Victims of Lyft Sexual Assault In Lod Angeles, California

At J&Y Law, we believe that Lyft must be held accountable when one of its drivers engages in sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know has been a victim of Lyft sexual assault, we can help. Contact us today for a confidential, no-cost consultation.