Uber Faces Legal Scrutiny Over Sexual Assault Reports as New Court Records Reveal Systemic Failures

Internal Records Show Uber Ignored Safety Tools While Sexual Assault Reports Averaged One Every Eight Minutes

For years, Uber promoted itself as a modern solution to urban transportation—convenient, affordable, and safe. But behind the company’s polished public image lies a disturbing truth. Recently unsealed court records have revealed that from 2017 to 2022, Uber received a report of sexual assault or misconduct approximately every eight minutes in the United States alone.

This staggering frequency of reported assaults was not disclosed in Uber’s public safety reports, which painted a picture of a company in control of rider safety. The reality documented in internal data tells a different story that exposes systemic risk, avoidable violence, and corporate decisions that prioritized profits over safety.

Survivors have been left traumatized, some without access to justice or recourse. And for many, the company’s lack of transparency and failure to act on known threats has only deepened the damage.

What the Court Records Reveal About Sexual Assault at Uber

Recent legal filings, unsealed in 2025, show the extent to which Uber was aware of the sexual violence occurring during rides but chose not to take comprehensive action. The data shows an average of 180 reports of sexual assault per day over a five-year period, with thousands of individual incidents logged in internal systems.

The types of assaults reported range from unwanted touching and verbal harassment to more severe acts, including rape. Some of the incidents involved repeat offenders—drivers who had multiple complaints filed against them but were not immediately removed from the platform.

These records further reveal that Uber had tested safety features that could have mitigated or even prevented many of these attacks, including real-time audio monitoring and in-app alerts for unusual stops or delays. Yet the company withheld full implementation, citing potential backlash and legal exposure.

Uber’s Public Safety Narrative vs. Internal Reality

Uber’s official safety reports, released in glossy PDF formats, heavily underrepresented the scale of the crisis. The company highlighted a fraction of incidents and repeatedly framed them as rare exceptions rather than signs of systemic failure.

The internal records now contradict that narrative, showing that the company was aware of the scale and severity of the problem. One report suggested that some regions were logging significantly higher rates of assault per capita, yet little was done to enhance safety protocols in those areas.

Moreover, the company continued to promote rides as “the safest way to get around,” even while suppressing the true numbers and pushing back against broader implementation of safeguards.

Safety Measures That Were Never Fully Rolled Out

Uber had developed or tested a number of protective features over the years. These included:

• Live audio monitoring within rides for reporting distress.
• AI-based route deviation alerts, which notify users and Uber of unusual stops or detours.
• Panic buttons connected directly to 911 dispatch centers.
• Driver background rechecks using public records on a rolling basis.

Court documents reveal that Uber executives weighed the business risks of deploying these features, including the concern that widespread implementation might hurt driver recruitment or signal to riders that Uber rides were inherently unsafe.

In multiple instances, features were tested in limited markets and shelved, despite positive results. One internal memo explicitly discussed how deploying certain tools could be viewed as an “admission of prior negligence.” This decision-making process has now become a central issue in ongoing litigation.

Legal Liability for Sexual Assault Victims in Uber Rides

Sexual assault victims harmed while using ride-share platforms may have grounds for legal action under multiple legal theories. In Uber’s case, courts have increasingly held the company accountable under claims such as:

• Negligent hiring or retention, where the company failed to vet or remove drivers with known risks.
• Failure to warn or protect, where Uber did not act despite knowing about widespread harm.
• Premises liability in virtual environments, a growing legal doctrine holding tech companies accountable for physical harm enabled through digital services.

In some cases, courts have even pierced Uber’s liability shield, treating the company as more than just a tech platform and instead as a transportation provider with a legal duty of care.

Survivors may be entitled to compensation for:

• Physical injuries and medical treatment
• Emotional trauma and psychological therapy
• Lost income or future earnings
• Punitive damages for corporate misconduct

Survivors Are Fighting Back Through Legal Action

In recent years, hundreds of survivors have filed lawsuits against Uber, alleging that the company failed to protect them. These lawsuits have led to significant legal scrutiny and pressure for accountability.

Some cases have resulted in confidential settlements, while others have progressed to multi-district litigation efforts. Several state attorneys general are also reviewing Uber’s internal records to determine whether consumer protection laws were violated.

One important shift has been in courts rejecting Uber’s repeated attempts to push cases into private arbitration. Judges have increasingly ruled that sexual assault claims deserve public court hearings, not secret arbitration where companies often maintain the upper hand.

The Ongoing Safety Crisis and Public Response

While Uber continues to promise improvements, many safety advocates argue that the company still has not gone far enough. Survivors and their families continue to share stories of trauma, betrayal, and long-term psychological damage.

Public pressure is growing. City governments and regulators are considering legislation that would require mandatory audio or video recording of all ride-share trips, and several major metropolitan areas have proposed public safety audits for ride-hailing platforms.

Uber’s refusal to fully implement protective measures, despite knowing the risks, has created a moral and legal crisis. For many survivors, holding the company accountable is about more than money—it’s about changing the way ride-sharing platforms treat safety and responsibility.

Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit FAQs

How many sexual assault reports have been filed against Uber drivers?
According to recently unsealed court records, Uber received reports of sexual misconduct or assault approximately once every eight minutes from 2017 to 2022. That amounts to thousands of incidents—far more than what the company had publicly disclosed.

What legal options do survivors have?
Survivors may pursue civil lawsuits against Uber for negligence, failure to protect, and emotional distress. In many states, lawsuits may also include claims for punitive damages due to the company’s decisions to suppress safety features and conceal risk.

Can I sue Uber if the driver was an independent contractor?
Yes. Courts have increasingly recognized that Uber’s level of control over drivers and the structure of its platform creates legal liability, even if drivers are classified as independent contractors.

Do I have to go through arbitration to bring a claim?
Not necessarily. While Uber previously required arbitration, courts in some jurisdictions have allowed sexual assault cases to proceed in public court, especially where gross negligence or systemic misconduct is alleged.

What kind of compensation is available in a sexual assault claim?
Compensation can include medical expenses, counseling and mental health services, lost income, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize Uber for its actions or inaction.

Is there a time limit for filing a lawsuit?
Yes. Every state has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those involving sexual assault. It’s critical to consult with legal counsel as soon as possible to avoid missing important filing deadlines.

What if I filed a police report but the driver wasn’t prosecuted?
Criminal prosecution is separate from civil liability. Even if no charges were filed, you may still bring a civil claim against Uber based on the company’s failure to prevent the assault.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

If you or someone you care about was assaulted during an Uber ride, legal help is available. The attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are reviewing claims from survivors nationwide. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical care, emotional trauma, lost wages, and more.

Let us help you protect your rights and hold those responsible accountable. Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) now for a free, confidential consultation with our legal team. We will listen, advise, and fight to ensure your voice is heard.