A Southern California woman recently settled her lawsuit against Uber for damages she suffered during an alleged rape by an Uber driver. The woman sued Uber for sexual battery, false imprisonment, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil rights violations.
The lawsuit claims that in the summer of 2017, the woman attended a work function in Los Angeles and called an Uber to take her to her boyfriend’s home because she had been drinking. She alleged that the driver took her to her destination and administered a date rape drug or something similar which rendered her unconscious. Once they reached the woman’s destination, the driver continued to the Ritz Motel in North Hollywood, where he carried the woman into a hotel room and raped her, according to the lawsuit.
The driver left and the woman awoke later dazed and confused in an unfamiliar location wearing only a shirt. She later discovered she had been sexually assaulted. The driver is awaiting trial on charged which include kidnapping and the rape of an unconscious person.
The driver lost his Uber driving privileges in June 2017 when the crime was reported, and the Uber company worked with police. Since the attack, Uber has added new safety features which include an emergency button, improvements to its driver screening process, and has added the former Secretary of Homeland Security to lead Uber’s safety board. The victim and Uber recently settled the lawsuit for an unspecified amount.
However, many believe that Uber and Lyft do not do enough to screen their drivers and to keep passengers safe. If you have been the victim of a crime committed by an Uber or Lyft driver, you should speak with an attorney. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.