Uber Sexual Assault Claims in Alabama

Uber passengers and drivers alike face the possibility of experiencing sexual assault. However, even when survivors report assaults to the company, Uber doesn’t always adequately resolve those sexual assault claims. Fortunately, survivors can seek justice. Uber sexual assault claims in Alabama provide survivors with a way to seek accountability and just compensation for their physical and emotional injuries.

Has Uber Received Many Complaints About Sexual Assault?

According to Uber’s most recent safety report, the company received 2,717 reports of sexual assault during a recent two-year period, which actually marked a decrease from 3,824 reports reported during the two years before that. In 68 percent of the sexual assault reports that Uber received during the two-year period, the driver was accused of committing the assault, the company reports. In 31 percent of the reports, the passenger was the alleged assailant.

Types of sexual assault reported to Uber included:

• Non-Consensual Kissing of a Non-Sexual Body Part — 51 percent of alleged incidents committed by a passenger, and 48 percent of incidents committed by a driver
• Attempted Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration — 11 percent of alleged incidents committed by a passenger, and 87 percent of alleged incidents committed by a driver
• Non-Consensual Touching of a Sexual Body Part — 40 percent of alleged incidents committed by a passenger, and 59 percent of alleged incidents committed by a driver
• Non-Consensual Kissing of a Sexual Body Part — 16 percent of alleged incidents committed by a passenger, and 84 percent of alleged incidents committed by a driver
• Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration — 7 percent of alleged incidents committed by a passenger, and 90 percent of alleged incidents committed by a driver.

Non-consensual touching of a sexual body part accounted for the majority of incidents of sexual assault in the two-year period, with 1,401 incidents. This was followed by 355 incidents of non-consensual sexual penetration, 338 incidents each of non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part and non-consensual kissing of a sexual body party, and 285 incidents of attempted non-consensual sexual penetration.

Who Can File an Alabama Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

Any person who suffers a sexual assault in an Uber may have the right to file a lawsuit against their assailant, and potentially against Uber. A sexual assault survivor may have a claim to recover compensation for physical and emotional trauma they suffered in the assault such as:

• Lacerations and bruising
• Broken bones
• Ligament sprains and tears
• Muscle or tendon strains and tears
• Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
• Facial injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.

How Do I File an Uber Sexual Assault Claim in Alabama?

You may file an Uber sexual assault claim in Alabama by reporting the assault to Uber through its mobile application or website. Other steps to take to pursue a sexual assault claim against your assailant or Uber include:

• Report the assault to law enforcement.
• Seek prompt medical attention and treatment for your injuries.
• Request copies of your medical records.
• Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses during your recovery.
• Find all your paystubs or income statements to calculate your lost earnings if you need to take time off work during your recovery.

Finally, contact an Alabama sexual assault attorney as soon as possible to get help evaluating your legal options and pursuing all claims you may have against your assailant and possibly against Uber.

What Evidence Do I Need to File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Uber?

When an Uber driver sexually assaults you, you may have a claim against Uber. Although Uber drivers work for Uber as independent contractors rather than employees, Uber may bear liability for your sexual assault if it negligently approved your assailant for the Uber platform. Evidence you may need to pursue a negligence claim against Uber includes:

• Driver’s criminal record
• Documents reviewed by Uber during its driver background check
• Copies of any prior complaints Uber received about the driver.

Other evidence you may need for your sexual assault claim could include:

• Police records
• Your cell phone’s logs and logs from your phone’s Uber app
• Eyewitness testimony
• Surveillance or dashcam footage
• Your medical records
• Records from the driver’s arrest, prosecution, and conviction.

What Compensation Could I Receive from an Alabama Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

In a sexual assault claim, you can pursue a financial recovery for all economic and personal losses you incur due to physical and emotional injuries from the assault. Your compensation, or “damages,” can include money for:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation, including hospitalization, surgery, prescription medications, mental health therapy, and physical therapy
• Costs of long-term care if your injuries result in permanent disabilities
• Lost income from missed time from work during your recovery
• Loss of future earnings if you cannot return to work due to physical disabilities or emotional trauma
• Physical pain and anguish
• Emotional trauma and distress
• Reduced quality of life due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), physical disabilities, or chronic health conditions.

How Long Do I Have to File an Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

Under Alabama law, you typically have two years after suffering a sexual assault in an Uber to file a lawsuit against your assailant and other potentially liable parties. Although two years may seem like plenty of time to pursue your sexual assault claims, you will best protect your rights by speaking with a sexual assault attorney as soon as possible after the assault.

You want to ensure that you have adequate time to file your claims before the deadline expires. By letting the deadline pass, you could lose your right to hold your assailant or other liable parties responsible for your harm.

Contact a Dothan Sexual Assault Lawyer Today

After experiencing a sexual assault in an Uber, you deserve the chance to pursue accountability and compensation for the harm you have endured. Contact Gartlan Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced, compassionate Dothan sexual assault lawyer to learn more about your rights to pursue Uber sexual assault claims in Alabama.

Visit Our Dothan Uber Sexual Assault Law Offices

Aaron Gartlan

Aaron Gartlan is a graduate of Troy University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law who focuses his practice exclusively on representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others. He is member of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition to his legal practice, Aaron teaches Business Law as an adjunct instructor at Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business and serves as a field artillery sergeant in the Alabama National Guard.