Rideshare companies have become mainstream over a decade ago, offering convenient transportation services to many. During the most recent pandemic, food delivery services have also become extremely popular, allowing people at home to have food delivered right to their door. Unfortunately, the convenience of these services can involve a risk of sexual assault. These assaults can range from unwanted touching and verbal harassment to rape and other forms of sexual violence.
While these cases of Uber type driver assaults – along with sexual assault cases associated with rideshare and delivery services – are not particularly the norm, they do happen. And when these devastating sexual assault cases occur, it’s wise to have an experienced lawyer fighting for your rights to obtain full justice.
Rideshare and Delivery Assault Risks
While rideshare and delivery services offer convenience, they do come with risks of assault. The nature of these services creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by sexual predators and abusers. In Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis, the passengers are more than likely to be alone with the drivers of the vehicles. Unfortunately, perpetrators may use this leverage to assault victims.
Other factors that contribute to the assault risks may include:
- Insufficient background checks on drivers – Rideshare companies and food delivery services do conduct background checks on their drivers. However, many of these background checks are not thorough. This practice allows criminal records and past instances of misconduct to go undetected at times, and offenders may slip through the cracks in the procedure.
- Ease of creating driver accounts – Mostly anyone can be an Uber, Lyft, taxi driver, or food delivery person. While drivers need to have a clean driving record, it isn’t difficult to create a driver account with a rideshare or delivery company.
- Lack of oversight – When a ride begins or a delivery is in progress, there is minimal oversight. Passengers and customers may feel isolated and vulnerable, particularly if they are traveling alone, under the influence, or unfamiliar with the area.
- Interaction with a stranger – Taking an Uber, or using other rideshare service, often means that the rider is interacting with a complete stranger in a closed environment, which can increase the risk of inappropriate behavior.
Assault in Uber, Lyft, and Taxis
Sexual assault in an Uber, Lyft, or taxi is most likely more prevalent than one might think. Reports of sexual assault in rideshare vehicles have been steadily increasing. Between 2017 and 2020, there were more than 6,800 reports of sex crimes or sexual misconduct on Uber trips.
Uber received 3,824 reports of sexual assault and misconduct from 2019 through 2020, and 141 rapes in 2020 alone. According to Uber’s US Safety Report for 2021 and 2022, the company reported 2,717 individual reports of Uber assaults of a sexual nature. The majority of victims were riders. In a 2021 report, Lyft revealed that the company received over 4,000 reports of sexual assault from its users between 2017 and 2019. Additionally, there are numerous taxi and cab drivers who are found guilty of sexual assault as well.
Delivery Service Assault Cases Rise
Delivery service sexual assault has become a growing concern as well. The rise of food delivery services – including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates – involves an increase of sexual assaults by delivery drivers. Unfortunately, these cases usually receive less media coverage than rideshare assaults, and the number of incidents is unknown. However, with billions of orders through food delivery apps each year, physical or sexual assaults during even just 0.5 percent of these deliveries would translate to more than 500,000 occurring annually.
Food delivery services can have increased risks, including late-night delivery and less oversight as compared to Uber and Lyft rides. Delivery drivers may stalk their victims since they have their home address, and some even force themselves into victims’ homes.
Legal Rights for Assault Survivors
Survivors of sexual assault in rideshares or during food delivery services have legal rights. A compassionate Uber sexual assault lawyer can help victims explore all of their options to ensure that justice prevails in their favor. Survivors have the right to report the assault to law enforcement officials. While making the initial report may seem scary and daunting, it is essential as the first step in seeking justice against the perpetrator. Victims have the right to seek legal counsel as well as medical attention for both physical and emotional injuries. Additionally, victims can pursue civil lawsuits against the company that employed the assailant.
Holding Companies Accountable
Holding Uber, Lyft, taxi and food delivery companies accountable is imperative to halt the rise in sexual assault crimes when using these services. Extensive background checks, elevated safety protocols, and improved reporting are proactive measures that these companies need to take. They should also improve safety features such as emergency assistance buttons and ride tracking.
If you have been sexually assaulted in a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or when using a food delivery service, contact us for a free, confidential consultation today. The Lipinski Law team has the experience to get you the justice that you deserve.
