A rideshare sexual assault claim is a civil case brought by a passenger, or sometimes a driver, who was sexually assaulted, groped or harassed during a trip arranged through an app such as Uber or Lyft. It seeks compensation from the person who committed the assault and examines whether the rideshare company’s screening, monitoring and response to earlier complaints contributed to what happened.
Blank Kim Injury Law represents survivors from our Fairfax office, including passengers picked up at Dulles and Reagan National airports, at Metro stations, after nights out in Arlington, Clarendon or Old Town Alexandria, and near George Mason University. Attorney Robert Kim speaks Korean, and our paralegal team speaks Spanish.
First steps after an assault during a ride
- Get to a safe place and call 911 if you are in danger or hurt.
- Call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for confidential support and help finding a nearby hospital with trained forensic nurses.
- Take screenshots of the trip receipt, driver name, photo, vehicle and plate, and the route map, before anything changes in the app.
- Keep the clothes you wore and avoid showering if you are considering a forensic exam, though an exam is still worthwhile if you already have.
- Report through the app’s safety feature only if you want to, and keep a copy of what you submit.
You do not need to decide today whether to go to police or bring a claim. Our guide on how to report sexual abuse in Virginia explains each option.
Why the trip record matters
Most assaults happen with no witnesses and no documentation. Rideshare trips are different, because the app logs nearly everything:
| Record | What it can show |
|---|---|
| Booking and receipt | Pickup and drop-off time and place, the driver and the vehicle |
| GPS route | Detours, unexplained stops or a drop-off far from the requested address |
| In-app messages and calls | What the driver said before and after the ride |
| Driver account history | Earlier complaints, ratings, safety reports and deactivations |
| Background check records | What the company reviewed before approving the driver |
The company controls most of this data. Your attorney can send a preservation demand promptly so it is kept, and request it formally during the case.
When the rideshare company shares responsibility
Rideshare companies typically classify drivers as independent contractors and argue they are not responsible for a driver’s intentional acts. That argument does not end the inquiry. Claims can focus on the company’s own conduct:
- Approving a driver whose background raised warning signs
- Keeping a driver active after complaints from other passengers
- Failing to act on in-app safety reports or letting a deactivated driver return under another account
- Weak identity verification that let someone other than the approved driver pick up passengers
Virginia regulates transportation network companies and sets insurance requirements for their drivers in Va. Code § 46.2-2099.52, with higher coverage once a ride has been accepted. Whether that coverage responds to an intentional assault is a separate question we evaluate. For crash injuries during a rideshare trip, see our rideshare accident lawyer page.
When the driver is the one assaulted
Drivers are also assaulted and harassed by passengers. A driver can have a claim against the passenger, and questions can arise about the company’s safety features and how it responded to reports about that rider. Because drivers are working when this happens, we also review how any claim fits with Virginia workers’ compensation rules, which depend on the driver’s legal status.
How long you have to bring a claim
Virginia has special timing rules for sexual abuse claims, and they can differ from the ordinary two-year rule in Va. Code § 8.01-243(A). The rule that applies depends on your age and the facts. Separately, app data and nearby security video can be overwritten, so it helps to act early even if you are not ready to file. Read our Virginia sexual abuse statute of limitations guide.
How our Fairfax team helps
- Confidential review. We talk by phone or meet at our office on Chain Bridge Road, in English, Korean or Spanish.
- Preservation. We put the rideshare company and any businesses with cameras on notice to keep their records.
- Investigation. We obtain the trip data, driver history and screening records.
- Pursuing the claim. We present the claim to the driver, the company and their insurers, and file suit in the right Virginia court if a fair resolution is not offered.
Learn more about our Virginia sexual abuse practice and our Uber accident and Lyft accident pages.
