Rideshare services are extremely popular throughout California, including the Bay Area. For well over a decade now, Californians have trusted rideshare services and drivers to get them to and from airports, events, business meetings, vacation destinations, and more. Unfortunately, our rideshare sexual assault lawyers have seen a dark side to these services—passengers being assaulted by their drivers.
If you were sexually assaulted by a rideshare driver, our sexual assault injury lawyers are here to help. We know the devastation and pain you’re experiencing, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you move forward with your life with sensitivity, confidentiality, and dedication. Contact us today for a free case review.
What Are Common Types of Rideshare Sexual Assaults?
Rideshare sexual assault can take many forms. Some of the most common include:
- Unwanted sexual touching (groping, forced kissing, or other non-consensual contact)
- Coerced sexual acts through intimidation, threats, or pressure
- Assault involving incapacitation, including situations where a survivor is asleep, unconscious, or impaired
- Sexual harassment or threats that escalate during the ride (including lewd comments, exposure, or sexual propositions)
- Assault during an “off-app” detour, which is when a driver changes the route, refuses to end the trip, or isolates the passenger
No matter what happened, if you did not freely consent and were touched inappropriately, experienced legal help is available.
What To Do After Experiencing Sexual Assault in a Rideshare Vehicle?
Being sexually assaulted in a vehicle where you’re supposed to feel safe is an extreme violation that can result in significant distress, confusion, and grief. It’s common for victims in these situations to be unsure of what to do next.
These steps can help protect your health and options moving forward:
- Get to a safe place such as a public location, friend’s home, or staffed business.
- Call 911 if you’re in danger or need urgent help.
- Seek medical care as soon as you can. Medical teams can treat injuries, discuss STD prevention and emergency contraception, and explain forensic exam options.
- Consider a sexual assault forensic exam. A SAFE exam can provide medical care and collect evidence.
- Save ride details, including screenshots of the trip, driver profile, messages, receipt, route, and timestamps.
- Report in the app (Uber/Lyft) when you’re ready and keep copies of any responses.
- Talk to a trauma-informed advocate who can help you navigate medical, legal, and reporting options.
What Are Long-Term Physical and Psychological Injuries of Sexual Assault?
Every survivor’s experience is different. Some long-term impacts can include:
Physical injuries:
- Chronic pain (pelvic pain, headaches, musculoskeletal pain)
- Sleep disruption and fatigue
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, appetite changes)
- STD-related complications or reproductive/gynecological issues
Psychological and emotional injuries:
- PTSD symptoms (flashbacks, hypervigilance, panic)
- Anxiety, depression, shame, or persistent fear
- Dissociation, memory disruption, or difficulty concentrating
- Changes in relationships, trust, and intimacy
- Substance use concerns as a coping response
A civil case can account for both visible and invisible harm, including therapy needs and long-term recovery support.
Where Can Rideshare Sexual Assault Victims Get Treatment in Northern California?
It’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible after a rideshare sexual assault. Northern California has many options for sexual assault survivors, including:
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Rape Treatment Center: Survivors can receive specialized emergency medical care and forensic services through the Rape Treatment Center at ZSFG’s Emergency Department, with support designed to reduce further trauma.
- Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Program at Highland Hospital: This program provides hospital-based sexual assault response and recovery support, including coordinated medical/forensic services for survivors.
- Santa Clara Valley Healthcare – SAFE+ Program: SAFE+ provides patient-centered, 24/7 access to sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE) and connected support resources for survivors.
- Stanford Hospital Emergency Department: In Santa Clara County, SAFE exams are available at Stanford Hospital’s ED.
What Support Groups Are Available for Sexual Assault Victims in California?
For many sexual assault survivors, the psychological pain is more intense and long-lasting than the physical pain. That’s why support groups are so important for survivors.
These organizations can provide confidential support, counseling referrals, advocacy, and support groups:
- RAINN: As the National Sexual Assault Hotline, RAINN offers confidential phone and online chat support and can help connect survivors to local resources.
- San Francisco Women Against Rape: SFWAR provides survivor support resources and advocacy in San Francisco, including guidance on medical options like the Rape Treatment Center pathway.
- Community Violence Solutions: CVS provides a 24-hour confidential crisis line and support services for survivors of sexual assault and their families.
- WEAVE: As Sacramento County’s Rape Crisis Center, WEAVE operates a 24-hour support line and offers counseling services for those impacted by sexual assault, including individual and group counseling options.
- ValorUS: ValorUS provides a “Get Help California” pathway to connect survivors with local member programs and rape crisis resources statewide.
Who Can I Hold Liable for a Rideshare Sexual Assault?
A civil claim for a rideshare sexual assault may involve one or more responsible parties, depending on what happened:
- The Driver: For the assault and related misconduct
- The Rideshare Company: For negligent safety practices, inadequate screening, failure to act on prior complaints, app/design safety failures, or other negligence
- A Third Party: If another individual participated or the assault involved additional negligence by someone else
In rideshare sexual assault cases, proving liability is highly fact-specific. The experienced legal team at Berg Injury Lawyers can investigate records, prior complaints, driver history, route data, and reporting timelines to determine the strongest legal path for you.
How Can Berg Injury Lawyers Help Me With My Case?
Berg Injury Lawyers can take the legal burden off your shoulders while you focus on healing. When you contact us, we will:
- Listen privately and respectfully and explain your civil options in plain English
- Preserve critical evidence, including ride logs, GPS data, communications, surveillance footage, witness info
- Handle all communications with insurers, corporate claim departments, and opposing counsel
- Work with trauma-informed professionals when appropriate to document damages
- Pursue compensation for medical costs, therapy, lost income, and pain and suffering
- Push for accountability through settlement negotiations or litigation when needed
You’ve been through enough already. It’s our goal to give you as much peace of mind as possible while you focus on healing.
Contact Our Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyers Today
You trusted a rideshare company and driver to transport you safely, and instead, you suffered unimaginable trauma. Now, you deserve to be taken seriously and heard by a law firm that cares.
If you were sexually assaulted in a rideshare anywhere in Northern California, Berg Injury Lawyers is here to help you understand your options and pursue justice through a civil claim. Contact us today to speak with a compassionate legal team about what happened, what your next steps could look like, and how we can help protect your rights.
