Uber Hit With $8.5 Million Verdict After Lawsuit That Accused Driver of Rape

Uber Facing Thousands of Lawsuits Over Claims Passengers Were Sexually Assaulted or Harassed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA(February 7, 2026) – Uber was hit with an $8.5 million verdict and was found liable in an Arizona lawsuit, where one of their drivers was accused of rape.

The lawsuit stems from an alleged incident that took place in November 2023. A woman claims that she was raped by her Uber driver as she was being transported to her hotel.

The US District Court in Phoenix delivered the verdict. They found Uber liable for apparent agency.

Court observers are saying that the outcome of this lawsuit will potentially lay the groundwork for thousands of similar claims that have been consolidated in federal court.

Uber says that it plans to appeal the verdict. This lawsuit comes at the same time that the company is facing a number of similar lawsuits across the country.

Liability for Sexual Assault Involving Uber Drivers

Uber has a legal obligation to protect customers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. To that end, they must take certain safety measures. This includes ensuring that all of their drivers undergo rigorous background checks. In the past, courts typically would not hold Uber directly liable for the criminal or negligent actions of their workers because those workers were operating as independent contractors. However, this recent jury verdict in Arizona changes that. If a jury considers Uber drivers “apparent agents,” the company could be directly liable for the actions of their drivers. The jury in Arizona found apparent agency when taking into consideration several facts.

• When a passenger requests a trip through Uber, they go through Uber and not the individual driver.
• Uber selects all of their drivers and completely controls all access to the platform.
• All aspects of the trip, including payment and receipts, are all Uber-branded.
• Riders are informed that Uber is the entity that created safety standards and screening, which creates trust between the passenger and Uber.
• Riders do not have any meaningful choice or negotiation power in determining which drivers are selected.

When all of these facts are taken together, a reasonable person could easily assume that the driver transporting them is acting on behalf of Uber. This is despite the fact that Uber chooses to identify their drivers as independent contractors. One of the major issues that Uber has faced over the years is that the background checks that they use are not as good as they could be. There have been a number of situations where people with a criminal record were allowed to drive on the platform.

Steps to Take After Uber Sexual Abuse 

Sexual abuse involving rideshare drivers remains incredibly common. According to one report by the New York Times, there were roughly 400,000 reports of sexual assault and misconduct submitted to the rideshare company between 2017 and 2022. Victims of sexual assault involving Uber should take certain actions to protect their legal rights.

• Police: The police should be contacted as soon as possible. They can begin an independent investigation and take steps to preserve important pieces of evidence.
• Medical Treatment: Victims should seek medical treatment and guidance early on. This is a critical part of preserving important pieces of evidence. It can help establish that an assault did actually take place.
• Evidence: All of the evidence associated with the assault should be collected and preserved. This will include all medical reports that are created and photographs of any injuries that get taken.
• Legal Review: Any person that is sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver should seek legal guidance from an experienced sexual abuse attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know how much compensation you may be entitled to.

The vast majority of sexual assaults and abuse involving rideshare drivers are preventable. They tend to involve situations where clear safety guidelines are being violated. Uber has attempted to shield itself from legal responsibility for many years by categorizing all of their drivers as “independent contractors.” But these tactics are not likely to be as effective going forward. If you were the victim of sexual assault by an Uber driver, you may be able to hold the company directly liable through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help for Sexual Assaults Involving Uber Drivers

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been sexually assaulted or abused by Uber drivers. Uber needs to do the right thing and accept responsibility for all of these attacks. They also need to take meaningful steps to protect passengers. No person should ever have to worry that they could be sexually assaulted or abused after calling an Uber.

Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused in an Uber or Lyft? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of experienced Uber sexual abuse attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 888-848-5084.