Uber faces thousands of lawsuits from riders. Women across the U.S. say Uber drivers sexually assaulted them. The number of cases grows every week. Many of these women reported their assaults to Uber. They say the company did nothing.
These cases now form one of the biggest legal battles in the company’s history. Courts are hearing claims from over 2,800 victims. Many of them share the same story. They requested a ride. The driver picked them up. Then the ride turned into a nightmare.
Victims say Uber failed to protect them. They say the company knew about the problem for years. They also say Uber refused to take real steps to stop it. Some lawsuits say Uber cared more about profits than people. Growth was the goal. Safety was not.
The lawsuits claim Uber ignored warnings. They say Uber got thousands of assault reports each year. Some drivers had past criminal records. Some had other complaints. Uber let them drive anyway.
Uber hired unsafe drivers. Its screening process missed red flags. The company used quick checks that skipped key details. Other companies used fingerprint checks. Uber did not. That allowed dangerous people onto the platform.
Victims also say Uber refused to fix known safety risks. The app could have included features to help riders. Things like in-car cameras, driver history alerts, and stronger reporting tools. Uber delayed or skipped many of them.
These lawsuits demand answers. They demand change. Most of all, they demand justice for the women who trusted Uber and paid the price.
Uber Faces a Federal MDL
Uber now faces a massive group of lawsuits. These cases have been combined into MDL No. 3084. That means a federal court is handling them in one place. This court sits in the Northern District of California. It now oversees more than 2,800 sexual assault claims.
MDL stands for multidistrict litigation. It is not a class action. Each victim still has an individual case. The court groups them to move faster and avoid repeating the same steps.
This process helps both sides. Lawyers can share evidence. Judges can make consistent rulings. Trials can focus on big-picture issues that affect many cases.
The goal is to learn the truth. The MDL process uncovers what Uber knew and when. It also pressures the company to settle. Uber knows that jury trials bring high risk and bad press.
The court will soon begin bellwether trials. These early cases test the strength of the evidence. They show how juries might respond. If victims win big, Uber may offer large settlements to avoid more trials.
This MDL is one of the largest rideshare litigations ever filed. It could lead to major payouts. It could also force lasting changes in how Uber handles rider safety.
Lawsuits Say Uber Knew the Risks
Uber learned about sexual assaults happening through its platform as early as 2014. Victims say the company knew drivers were attacking riders. They say Uber had reports, complaints, and warnings. Still, it failed to act.
The lawsuits claim Uber chose not to protect passengers. The company kept hiring drivers without doing proper checks. Some drivers had criminal records. Some had past assault complaints. Uber let them keep driving.
The background checks were fast and shallow. Uber used private companies that cleared drivers in a day or two. Other transport companies used fingerprint checks. Uber skipped that step.
Victims say this was not an accident. They say it was a choice. The lawsuits argue that Uber placed growth ahead of safety. The company wanted more drivers. It wanted to grow fast in every city. That meant fewer rules and less oversight.
Uber told the public its rides were safe. Ads claimed riders could trust the platform. Phrases like “Safest Rides on the Road” were everywhere. Internal reports later showed these claims were false. Safety problems were ignored or hidden.
Uber also charged a “Safe Ride Fee.” Riders paid this on every trip. They thought it funded safety tools or training. That was not true. The fee went straight to Uber’s profits. The lawsuits say this was deceptive and cruel.
Victims say Uber could have fixed these issues years ago. It did not. Instead, it protected its image and bottom line. Now the company must face the legal and moral cost of those decisions.
Recent Lawsuit Updates
On June 18, eight more women filed lawsuits against Uber in California. These women came from several counties across the state. Each one says an Uber driver assaulted, harassed, or attacked them. Their cases added to the rising wave of claims against the company.
On June 7, the total number of lawsuits passed 2,800. That included both federal and state cases. The number keeps growing. More women come forward each week. Lawyers say they expect hundreds more by the end of the year.
On June 5, Uber faced a fight over driver background checks. Plaintiffs sent subpoenas to two companies: Checkr and Accurate Background. These firms handled Uber’s driver screenings. Both refused to turn over records. They said the law prevents them from doing so. The court may soon step in and force them to release the documents.
On June 2, the court appointed Judge Gail Andler as the Settlement Master. That role helps both sides discuss possible settlement terms. It shows that Uber may be getting ready to negotiate. Legal experts see this as a big step forward. It could mean real compensation for victims is finally on the table.
Uber also tried to move some lawsuits out of California. The company pointed to a forum clause in its terms of use. That clause says claims must be heard where the assault happened. Uber wanted to shift trials to other states. The court is not likely to agree. These cases raise national safety issues. Keeping them in one court helps ensure fairness and speed.
This group of events shows one thing clearly: pressure on Uber is rising. Victims are speaking up. Courts are responding. And Uber may be running out of ways to delay justice.
Uber’s Safety Problems
Uber relied on outside companies like Checkr and Hirease to run background checks. These firms skipped fingerprinting. They used quick private database searches instead. Some checks took less than 36 hours.
Other transport companies use stricter systems. They run FBI-level checks. They fingerprint drivers. They also conduct in-person interviews. Uber skipped all of that.
Victims say this shortcut exposed riders to serious danger. The lawsuits show many Uber drivers had records of violence, assault, or harassment. Some had prior arrests. Others had been accused before. Uber let them drive anyway.
The company made it easy to sign up fast. At one point, Uber mailed phones to new drivers before checks were even done. That allowed drivers to hit the road almost instantly.
This approach helped Uber grow fast. It also meant little protection for passengers. The system valued speed over safety. Victims now say that choice put their lives at risk.
Bellwether Trials Start Soon
The court selected six early cases to go to trial first. These are known as bellwether trials. They give both sides a way to test the strength of the evidence. They also help predict how juries may respond.
Each case in this group involves a serious claim. Victim say they were raped assaulted or harassed by Uber driver. These stories reflect a range of abuse. Some cases involve physical violence. Others focus on verbal threats or unwanted contact.
The first trial begins in December 2025. Discovery ends in September. Both side are now preparing. Lawyer will gather record question witnesse and build their argument.
Jury decision in these trial will matter. Big verdicts could raise pressure on Uber. The company may then offer higher settlements to avoid more trials. Weak verdicts could do the opposite. That is why both sides are watching closely.
These bellwether trials set the tone. They show what the public thinks of Uber’s conduct. They also help decide how much victims may receive. Each outcome will guide what happens next in this growing MDL.
What Victims Can Receive
Lawyers expect Uber to settle. Jury trials carry risk. Uber prefers to avoid public exposure.
Settlements will depend on the facts. Strong cases with proof will bring more money.
Estimated Payout Tiers
| Tier | Type of Assault | Expected Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rape, strong proof, young or disabled victim | $1.5M – $3M |
| 2 | Assault, long-term trauma, clear support | $800K – $1.5M |
| 3 | Attempted assault, therapy needed | $500K – $800K |
| 4 | Harassment or groping, little proof | $300K – $500K |
| 5 | Weak or unclear claims | $150K – $300K |
Cases with medical reports, police records, or strong witness support will rank higher.
Why Punitive Damages Matter
Victims don’t just want compensation. They want to punish Uber. Courts allow that through punitive damages. These extra payments are meant to punish bad behavior. They also warn other companies not to do the same.
Uber knew its drivers posed a danger. It had reports, warnings, and complaints for years. Victims say the company still chose to do nothing. That kind of conduct often leads to punitive awards.
Juries give higher damages when they see a pattern of carelessness. They look at the choices a company made. If those choices put people at risk, juries act.
Uber fits that pattern. It skipped safety steps. It ignored red flags. It protected profits instead of people. That opens the door to big penalties.
Punitive damages could raise total payouts by millions. They also push companies to change. That’s why this part of the lawsuit matters. It’s about more than money. It’s about justice and lasting reform.
Why This Case Matters
Uber became one of the most recognized companies in the world. Million of people used it every day. They trusted the app to get them home safely. Victim now say that trust was broken.
These lawsuit tell a deeper story. They show what happen when a company grow fast and ignore safety. Riders expected protection. Instead, many faced assault, trauma, and silence.
Victims want more than money. They want the truth. They want to see real changes inside Uber. They want future riders to be safe.
The lawsuits demand real action. That includes fingerprint background checks. That includes in-car dashcams. That includes stronger driver vetting. Uber could have added these tools years ago. It waited until after the damage was done.
This case is not just about past harm. It about what comes next. Victim want to make sure no one else suffer the way they did. These lawsuit may finally force Uber to change it system for good.
Have You Been Harmed
If an Uber driver assaulted you are not alone. Many others have stepped forward. You still have time to take legal action.
You may qualify to join the lawsuits already in motion. A lawyer can help you understand your right. You do not need to have all the detail or document ready. You just need to speak up.
Each day matters. Legal deadlines can prevent late claims. Acting now protects your chance to receive compensation.
A rideshare assault lawyer can review your case for free. They can explain your option and guide you through each step. You do not have to face this alone. Support is available. Justice is possible.
