Rideshare assault lawsuits are a way for people assaulted by rideshare drivers to pursue claims for emotional trauma, physical injuries, and other losses stemming from a rideshare company’s security lapses. This is especially the case if proper screening, monitoring, or response policies could have prevented the assault. If you were assaulted in Vegas, you may have grounds to file against both the driver and the company, such as Uber or Lyft.
George Bochanis Injury Law Offices can help with rideshare assault lawsuits. For help in Las Vegas, call us at (702) 388-2005.
Can You Sue if You Were Assaulted By a Rideshare Driver?
If you were assaulted by a rideshare driver, you may bring a civil lawsuit for damages based on the intentional tort of assault or battery. Rideshare assault lawsuits often involve claims against the driver, and liability may extend to the company that employed or contracted the driver.
Going through Nevada’s civil courts is possible, regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed against the driver. The civil and criminal processes are separate. In Clark County, violent crime includes rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. There were 9,856 reported violent crimes in 2024, with a criminal clearance rate of 58.10%.
Las Vegas has seen many Uber riders under assault in the past few years. These incidents often involved drivers who passed background checks but later engaged in violent or inappropriate behavior, sometimes due to inadequate vetting, a lack of ongoing monitoring, or the company’s failure to act on prior complaints. Injured parties in rideshare assault cases can use these systemic failures to strengthen their case. Common legal claims in rideshare assault cases include:
- Negligent hiring and supervision when the company fails to properly vet or monitor a driver with red flags in his or her history
- Negligent retention when Uber or Lyft keeps a driver working despite complaints or warning signs
- Negligent security when the company fails to implement or enforce reasonable safety measures to protect passengers
Punitive damages may be available if the rideshare company’s actions show willful disregard for passenger safety.
What Damages Are Available in Rideshare Assault Lawsuits?
Those injured in rideshare assaults can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. A rideshare accident lawyer can calculate the full value of your claim, accounting for current and future losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses such as medical expenses (hospital care, therapy, medications, and follow-up treatments) and lost wages from missed work during recovery. Economic damages can also cover loss of earning capacity if injuries or trauma affect your long-term ability to work. They also apply to property damage, such as phones or personal items damaged during the assault.
Non-Economic Damages
Assaults often leave deep emotional scars, and the non-economic damages may be significant. You may be able to recover for pain and suffering, emotional distress and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss of enjoyment of life or relationships.
Punitive Damages
Nevada law allows punitive damages in cases of malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent behavior. In the context of rideshare assault cases, punitive damages may apply if Uber or Lyft ignored clear safety red flags or failed to act on credible reports of driver misconduct.
Can You Hold Uber & Lyft Liable for Rideshare Assault?
It is possible to hold a rideshare company liable, depending on whether Uber’s or Lyft’s actions or omissions contributed to the attack.
Negligent Hiring and Screening
Both Uber and Lyft conduct background checks on drivers, but gaps remain. In some cases, drivers with prior criminal records, DUIs, and violent incidents have slipped through the cracks. Failure on Uber’s or Lyft’s part to conduct thorough screening or to update background checks regularly can lead to company liability.
Failure to Act on Complaints
If a company receives multiple passenger complaints about a driver but fails to remove the driver, this can be powerful evidence of negligence. These failures can show rideshare assault liability because the company knew or should have known the driver posed a risk.
Inadequate Safety Features
Rideshare companies promote their safety tools, such as GPS tracking, in-app emergency buttons, and driver identification screens, but they may not always be effective or properly enforced. If a company’s measures are more about marketing than genuine protection, the company may be liable for rideshare security failures.
Uber and Lyft often market their services as safe and convenient alternatives to taxis. However, when the companies fail to deliver on those promises by neglecting to vet or monitor drivers properly, passengers who were assaulted can argue that they relied on false assurances of safety when choosing the platform. A rideshare accident lawyer experienced in assault and intentional tort claims can help with proving fault, calculating damages, and negotiating with corporate defense teams.
If you were visiting when the rideshare assault occurred, you do not have to stay in Nevada to pursue your case. You can handle many aspects of a rideshare assault lawsuit remotely. For guidance on next steps in Las Vegas, contact us at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices.
FAQs About Las Vegas Rideshare Assault Lawsuits
What do I do if I was assaulted by a rideshare driver?
Report the assault to the police immediately, seek medical attention, and preserve evidence such as ride receipts, messages, and photos. Contact a rideshare accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Who pays your medical bills if you were assaulted by an Uber driver?
Depending on the circumstances, your medical bills may be covered by the driver’s personal insurance, Uber’s liability policy, or compensation from a civil lawsuit.
What evidence can help me prove my case?
Key evidence includes police reports, app records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical documentation of your injuries.
