The Growing Dangers of Rideshare Assault
Rideshare companies often highlight in-app safety tools, but national data and recent reporting suggest a more complex reality. A federal review by the U.S. Government Accountability Office summarized company-reported data showing thousands of incidents involving the most serious categories of sexual assault in a single year. Separate reporting has also demonstrated that Uber received hundreds of thousands of sexual assault or sexual misconduct reports over several years, including more than 100,000 incidents the company classified as serious. While these figures represent only a fraction of total rides, they reflect real people whose safety was compromised despite existing safeguards.
For many survivors, the deeper concern is how platforms respond after an incident occurs. Safety measures studied or tested have not always been broadly implemented, and legal structures can make accountability feel unclear. As a result, riders are often left shouldering the burden of safety themselves.
Partner at KJSR
“Many people assume Uber and Lyft have ironclad safety systems, but the truth is more complicated. The apps provide tools, but those tools can’t compensate for inconsistent enforcement or the human factors behind most incidents. When someone is injured, they often feel blindsided by how little support the platform provides afterward. Our job is to make sure they’re not left carrying that burden alone.”
Gaps in Current Rideshare Safety Measures
Rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft offer some safety features, including in-app emergency buttons, trip sharing, and driver background checks. While these tools can help in some situations, they also have documented limitations.
- Inadequate Background Checks: Periodic, name-based background checks may not always capture newly reported offenses, incomplete records, or individuals using alternate identities.
- Missing Non-Criminal Warning Signs: Background checks typically focus on criminal convictions and do not account for civil matters or prior complaints.
- Lack of Transparency: Public information remains limited, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of rideshare company safeguards.
- Accountability Challenges: Because drivers are generally classified as independent contractors, questions of legal responsibility after a serious incident can become complex and unclear for survivors seeking answers.
- Inconsistent Oversight: Reviews of rideshare safety practices have identified uneven monitoring and enforcement, particularly in how driver vetting and incident responses are handled across platforms.
Partner at KJSR
“One of the biggest gaps we see is that rideshare companies rely heavily on automated systems, but those systems don’t always catch risks in real time. Background checks aren’t continuous, and incident reports don’t always trigger meaningful action. Clients are often surprised to learn how much responsibility still falls on the passenger when a situation turns unsafe.”
What Can Be Done to Improve Rider Safety?
A more proactive approach to rider safety could help address some of the risks identified in recent reporting.
Partner at KJSR
“Uber and Lyft have the resources to make meaningful safety improvements, starting with stronger, more frequent driver screenings and quicker responses to rider complaints. Too often, we see dangerous patterns slip through the cracks. When companies take a proactive approach instead of reacting after harm occurs, riders are genuinely safer.”
While broader changes take time, you can protect yourself by confirming the vehicle and driver, using the available in-app safety tools, staying alert and trusting your instincts, and limiting what personal information you share.
At KJSR, we’ve spent more than 35 years handling complicated, high-exposure cases throughout Connecticut. Our approach is meticulous, compassionate, and trial-ready. Call us at 203-865-8430 to speak with an experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer today.
