Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawyer California

Sexual assaults in rideshare vehicles like Uber and Lyft remain a serious and growing problem in California, and now state lawmakers are considering changes that could make it harder for victims to recover fair compensation. As reported by the New York Times, “Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2022, sealed court records show, a level far more pervasive than what the company has disclosed.”

Unfortunately, it appears the CA State Legislature is in Uber’s/Lyft’s pockets as Senate Bill 371 (SB 371) proposes significantly reducing the insurance coverage rideshare companies must carry, from the current $1 million per passenger to as little as $100,000 – $300,000 per incident. For survivors of rideshare sexual assault, these proposed lower limits indicate that other bills could be coming that may leave survivors without resources needed for medical care, counseling, and long-term recovery.

Acting now can help protect your rights before these changes take effect. Get your free, confidential case review with Phoong Law today. Call 866-GOT-PAIN now to protect your rights!

The Growing Risk in California Rideshares

Rideshare services have become a daily convenience for millions of Californians, but they also carry hidden dangers. As cited from the New York Times article, from 2017 to 2022, a total of 400,181 Uber trips resulted in reports of sexual assault and sexual misconduct in the United States, court documents show. Previously, the company had disclosed 12,522 accounts of serious sexual assaults for that same time period, without indicating the total number of sexual assault and sexual misconduct reports it received. Lyft has faced thousands of similar allegations.

Survivors of rideshare sexual assault often face lasting trauma, medical costs, and lost income. In many cases, they also encounter resistance from companies that put profits ahead of passenger safety.

How California Law Currently Protects Survivors

California offers survivors more legal tools than most states:

• Longer time to file – Up to 10 years from the assault, or 3 years from discovery, under California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16.

• Higher potential compensation – Economic damages (medical bills, therapy, lost wages), non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional distress), and punitive damages in severe cases.

• Ability to sue both driver and company – Negligent hiring, supervision, or safety failures may make the company liable.

• Privacy protections – Use of pseudonyms and sealed court documents to protect survivor identities.

Uber and Lyft have consistently refused to mandate dash cameras in their rideshare vehicles, despite knowing there is a massive problem with sexual assault. A simple dash camera feature (of minimal cost) could be a small solution but Uber and Lyft chose profit over user safety and protection.

Why Policy Limits Matter for Victims

Policy limits determine the maximum an insurer will pay, no matter how severe the harm. Rideshare companies maintain commercial liability policies that can provide significant coverage when a passenger is in the vehicle.

If these limits are lowered, victims could be left with far less than they need for medical care, counseling, and long-term recovery. This is why any discussion of reducing policy limits is alarming to survivor advocates.

It is unprecedented in the history of the United States to award a compnay with over 2,000 lawsuits of sexual assault with billions of dollars in profit by reducing  protection to consumers.

Concerns About Possible Legislative Changes

While no law has yet passed in California that explicitly lowers policy limits for rideshare assault victims, lawmakers are reviewing potential changes to rideshare regulations. Given the history of large companies lobbying to limit liability and payouts, advocates warn that upcoming legislative actions could:

• Reduce minimum coverage amounts for rideshare incidents

• Limit the types of damages survivors can recover

• Shorten filing deadlines for claims

• Restrict lawsuits against companies, forcing victims to pursue only individual drivers

Because individual rideshare drivers often have minimal personal assets, limiting lawsuits to drivers instead of also holding the companies accountable could make it much harder, or even impossible, for victims to obtain fair compensation.

Why Acting Now Protects Your Rights

Delaying legal action can be costly:

• Laws could change – New rules might apply to any claims filed after they take effect

• Evidence can be lost –  Ride records, GPS data, and driver histories may disappear over time

• Deadlines can expire – Even with California’s longer statute of limitations for sexual assault, certain related claims have shorter limits

By acting now, you can secure your case under current protections, preserve critical evidence, and give your attorney the strongest foundation for pursuing compensation.

Contact Phoong Law today for your free, confidential consultation. Get legal help now by calling 866-GOT-PAIN!

How Phoong Law Helps Survivors

Phoong Law is committed to protecting survivors of rideshare sexual assault throughout California. Our firm provides:

• Free, confidential case reviews so you can understand your options without pressure

• Aggressive investigation into driver conduct and company safety practices

• Access to expert witnesses in trauma recovery, corporate accountability, and rideshare safety

• Negotiation and litigation to secure maximum compensation

• Compassionate representation that prioritizes your privacy and well-being

We know the tactics rideshare companies use to avoid responsibility, and we fight back to ensure survivors get the justice they deserve.

Your Time to Act Is Now

Sexual assault in rideshare vehicles is a serious and ongoing threat. California currently offers strong protections to help survivors seek justice, but future legislative changes could weaken these rights and reduce available compensation.

If you or someone you care about has been assaulted in a rideshare vehicle, do not wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Phoong Law is here to listen, guide, and fight for you every step of the way. Contact us today for your free, confidential case review.

Call Phoong Law at 866-GOT-PAIN to submit your case!