When you opened a rideshare app, you trusted that the driver on the other side of the screen would get you home safely. If that trust was broken through sexual assault or misconduct, our nationwide rideshare sexual assault lawyers at Horowitz Law are here to listen, believe you, and fight for the justice you deserve.
We represent survivors of sexual abuse across the country, holding companies like Uber and Lyft accountable for the harm caused by their drivers. From our home base in Florida to communities across the United States, we have dedicated our careers to helping survivors take back their voices through the civil justice system.
You do not have to face this alone. Our team offers free, confidential consultations, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today at 954-641-2100 to speak with a compassionate attorney who understands what you are going through.
We represent survivors of sexual abuse across the country, holding companies like Uber and Lyft accountable for the harm caused by their drivers. From our home base in Florida to communities across the United States, we have dedicated our careers to helping survivors take back their voices through the civil justice system.
You do not have to face this alone. Our team offers free, confidential consultations, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today at 954-641-2100 to speak with a compassionate attorney who understands what you are going through.
Why Choose Us for Your Rideshare Sexual Assault Case
Choosing the right legal team after a rideshare assault is one of the most important decisions you will make on your healing journey. We have spent decades building the knowledge, resources, and relationships needed to take on some of the largest corporations in the world. Here is what sets our firm apart:
- Decades of focused experience. Our practice is built around representing survivors of sexual abuse, not a wide mix of unrelated cases.
- Proven results in difficult cases. Our managing partner, Adam Horowitz, secured a jury verdict of more than $70 million for a young woman raped on a yacht in Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest individual sexual assault verdicts in U.S. history.
- Nationwide reach with Florida roots. While our office sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, we accept rideshare cases from survivors across the country.
- Survivor-centered support. We connect you with counseling resources, forensic experts, and a network of other survivors when you want that support.
- Honest, steady communication. You will hear from the legal professionals working on your case, not a rotating cast of strangers.
We know how much courage it takes to make that first call. When you reach out to us, we will treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve, every step of the way. Call 954-641-2100 for a free, confidential consultation.
Understanding Rideshare Sexual Assault Cases
Rideshare sexual assault refers to any unwanted sexual contact, harassment, or misconduct committed by a rideshare driver against a passenger, or in some cases by a passenger against a driver.
These cases involve companies like Uber, Lyft, and similar platforms that connect drivers with riders through a smartphone app. Civil claims for these assaults are separate from any criminal case and focus on financial accountability and recognition of the harm done.
Survivors often feel a confusing mix of fear, shame, and self-doubt after an assault during what should have been a routine ride. We want you to know that what happened was not your fault, and your story deserves to be heard.
Our nationwide rideshare sexual assault lawyers help survivors put words to what happened and translate that experience into a legal claim that can lead to real accountability.
Common Forms of Rideshare Misconduct
Survivors come to us after a wide range of harmful experiences. The conduct that may support a civil claim includes:
- Unwanted touching, groping, or kissing during a ride
- Sexual comments, propositions, or threats made by the driver
- Drivers locking doors, taking detours, or refusing to end the ride
- Rape or attempted rape inside or outside the vehicle
- Drivers following passengers home or contacting them after the ride
- Assaults that occur when a passenger is intoxicated or asleep
- Assaults during shared or pooled rides
If your experience is not on this list but felt wrong, please still reach out. The U.S. Department of Justice defines sexual assault broadly, and many forms of misconduct can support a civil claim even when they were never reported to police.
How Rideshare Companies Can Be Held Accountable
For years, companies like Uber and Lyft argued that drivers were independent contractors, and that the platforms themselves had limited responsibility for what happened on a ride. Courts and juries are increasingly rejecting that view. Recent verdicts show that rideshare companies can be held accountable when their safety practices fall short, and survivors are harmed as a result.
In February 2026, a federal jury in Phoenix ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a passenger who said her driver had raped her. Two months later, in April 2026, a federal jury in North Carolina found Uber liable for a sexual assault committed by a driver in 2019.
These were the first two trials of more than 3,000 pending federal lawsuits against the company, and Uber lost both. As one Stanford Law School professor noted, when a company cannot persuade a jury in a case it picked itself, that sends a powerful signal about the risks it faces going forward.
These cases are part of a larger federal court process called multidistrict litigation, where thousands of similar lawsuits are grouped together for early procedural decisions while each survivor's case is still tried individually.
Theories of Liability We May Pursue
Every case is different, but our nationwide rideshare sexual assault lawyers often build claims around theories like these:
- Negligent hiring. The company failed to properly screen a driver with a concerning background.
- Negligent retention. The company kept a driver on the platform after receiving complaints or warning signs.
- Negligent supervision. The company failed to monitor driver behavior, GPS deviations, or off-app contact with riders.
- Failure to warn. The company knew about safety risks but did not adequately inform riders.
- Inadequate safety features. Tools like in-app emergency buttons, ride tracking, or trip verification fell short.
- Vicarious liability. In some states, the company may be responsible for acts committed by drivers operating on its platform.
A careful review of your specific facts, the company's policies, and the law in the state where the assault happened helps us decide which theories give your case the strongest path forward. We will walk you through these options in plain English.
Survivors We Represent Across the Country
Although our office is in Florida, our work supports survivors well beyond state lines. Whether your ride happened on a busy street in downtown Miami, near the lights of Las Vegas, in a quiet college town, or after a late flight into Charlotte, we want to hear your story.
Our nationwide rideshare sexual assault lawyers regularly help survivors who:
- Were assaulted by a driver during or after a ride home from a bar, restaurant, or event
- Reported the assault to police, the rideshare company, or no one at all
- Were assaulted years ago and are only now ready to come forward
- Were assaulted as college students, tourists, or business travelers in unfamiliar cities
- Worry they will not be believed because they had been drinking or using substances
- Are concerned about privacy and want to keep their identity protected in court filings
You should never feel pressured to share more than you are ready to share. Our role is to listen first, explain your options clearly, and let you decide what comes next on your own timeline.
What Damages May Survivors Recover through a Civil Case?
Civil cases cannot undo what happened, but they can give survivors resources to support their healing and a public record that holds wrongdoers accountable. Depending on the facts of your case and the laws of the state where it is filed, a successful claim may recover compensation for:
- Medical bills and future medical care, including therapy and psychiatric treatment
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Costs of relocating, changing jobs, or other steps taken to feel safe again
- Punitive damages in cases involving especially reckless or harmful conduct
No two cases are identical, and we will never promise a specific dollar figure. What we can promise is that we will work hard to understand the full picture of how this experience has affected your life and to present that picture clearly and honestly.
What to Expect When You Reach Out
Calling a lawyer about something this personal can feel intimidating. We try to make the first contact as gentle as possible. Here is what typically happens when you reach out to our team:
- You speak with a member of our staff who will listen and gather only the information needed to get started
- We schedule a free, confidential consultation at a time that works for you, by phone or video
- During the consultation, we answer your questions and explain how a civil case might work
- If we take your case, you sign a written agreement that lays out our fees in plain language
- We handle the legal process while keeping you informed at each major step
You decide how involved you want to be. Some survivors want regular updates and active participation. Others prefer to step back and let us handle the day-to-day work. Both approaches are welcome here.
You Are Not Alone in This
If you are reading this page after something terrible has happened, we want you to know that what you feel right now is valid. Survivors often describe feeling isolated, second-guessed, or afraid of how others will react.
Our entire practice is built around the truth that your story matters and that there are people ready to stand with you. The growing wave of survivors who have come forward in cases against rideshare companies, religious institutions, schools, and other organizations shows that no organization is too large to be held accountable.
We are proud to be part of that work. When you are ready, we are here.
FAQs Answered by Our Nationwide Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the questions survivors most often ask when they first reach out to us about a rideshare case.
Do I need to have reported the assault to police to bring a civil case?
No. A civil claim is separate from a criminal case and does not require a police report or a criminal conviction. Many survivors we work with never reported to law enforcement, and that does not prevent us from pursuing accountability through the civil courts. We can talk through reporting options if you are still deciding what feels right for you.
Can I bring a case if the assault happened years ago?
Possibly. Each state sets its own time limits for filing civil sexual abuse cases, and many states have recently expanded those deadlines. Some have created lookback windows that temporarily allow older claims to be filed. The only way to know if your case is still viable is to speak with an attorney who can review the specific dates and facts.
Will my name be made public if I file a lawsuit?
In many sexual abuse cases, courts allow survivors to file under initials or a pseudonym, such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe," to protect their privacy. We take privacy seriously and will work to keep your identity as protected as the law allows in your jurisdiction. We will explain what is possible early in the process so there are no surprises.
How much does it cost to hire a rideshare sexual assault lawyer?
Our consultations are free, and we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney's fees up front and no fees at all unless we recover compensation in your case. We will go over the written fee agreement with you carefully so you understand exactly how it works before you sign anything.
What if I had been drinking or using drugs when the assault happened?
That does not take away your right to seek justice. We have represented survivors who were intoxicated, asleep, or otherwise vulnerable at the time of the assault. Companies sometimes try to use these facts against survivors, as Uber's lawyers did in the recent North Carolina trial, but juries have continued to side with survivors.
Your safety and your right to justice do not depend on how you spent the hours before your ride.
Can I sue both the driver and the rideshare company?
In many cases, yes. Civil claims can be brought against the individual driver, the rideshare company, and sometimes other parties such as bars or venues that played a role in the events leading up to the ride. We will look at every possible source of accountability and recovery so that the people and companies responsible are held to account.
Are rideshare cases typically settled or do they go to trial?
Both outcomes happen. Many cases resolve through settlement, which can offer privacy and a faster outcome. Others move forward to trial, especially when companies refuse to take responsibility.
The recent federal verdicts against Uber show that juries are willing to hold rideshare companies accountable when cases reach the courtroom. We will discuss the pros and cons of each path with you as your case develops.
Talk to Our Nationwide Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyers Today
You have already shown enormous strength by reading this far. The next step is a single phone call, and you do not have to know exactly what to say. Our team is ready to listen with care, answer your questions in plain English, and explain how the civil justice system might work for your story.
When you are ready, please contact Horowitz Law for a free and confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today at 954-641-2100 or reach out through our secure online contact form. We will be honored to stand with you.