Uber and Lyft Lawsuits 2026: Passenger Safety Under Scrutiny

Last updated: October 2026

Uber and Lyft lawsuits are putting passenger safety under a spotlight in 2026. Thousands of riders say the companies did not do enough to protect them from drivers who sexually assaulted or harassed them. Other lawsuits come from passengers hurt in crashes. Together, they raise one question: how much responsibility do the platforms have for what happens during a ride? Below, you will also find how Uber and Lyft lawsuits move through the courts, what evidence can help and how rideshare crash insurance works.

This overview covers the main types of claims, what the companies’ own data shows, and how courts are responding.

Why Uber and Lyft lawsuits are growing

Rideshare apps changed how people get home. For many, it became the “safe” choice after a night out. But lawsuits claim the companies’ safety systems did not keep up with their growth.

As of September 1, 2026, the federal Uber passenger sexual assault case, MDL No. 3084, had 4,588 pending cases. A newer Lyft MDL, No. 3171, had 106, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Both are in the Northern District of California. California state courts have their own coordinated cases for each company.

What the companies’ safety reports show

Both companies have published data on serious safety incidents.

Uber

• 2017–2018: 5,981 reports across the five most serious sexual assault categories
• 2019–2020: 3,824 reports in the same categories, during a period when trips dropped sharply because of the pandemic (ABC News)
• 2021–2022: A third report was published in August 2024 (Uber)

Lyft

• 2017–2019: 4,158 reported sexual assault incidents, including 360 reports of rape (CNN coverage)

The companies stress that the vast majority of trips have no safety incident. Survivors and their lawyers respond that each report is a real person, and that the numbers show a known, ongoing risk.

The main types of passenger claims

Sexual assault and harassment

These are the largest group of cases. Common allegations include:

• Weak driver screening, such as background checks that miss warning signs
• Poor response to complaints about drivers
• Marketing that promised safe rides while, plaintiffs claim, the risks were known
• Safety features that came too late or were not turned on by default

Harassment and unwanted touching

Not every claim involves rape. Some involve unwanted touching, threats or harassment during a ride. The April 2026 federal trial involved a driver grabbing a passenger’s thigh, and the jury found Uber liable for that conduct.

Crash injuries

Passengers hurt in crashes usually have insurance claims rather than coordinated mass lawsuits. While a passenger is in the car, Uber and Lyft say they carry at least $1 million in liability coverage in most states (Uber, Lyft).

How courts are responding

Several trials have now tested the sexual assault claims:

• September 2025: A California state jury found Uber negligent but not a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s harm, so Uber won, Reuters reported.
• February 2026: A federal jury in Phoenix awarded $8.5 million to a woman who said her driver raped her, finding the driver was Uber’s “apparent agent,” according to Reuters and the AP. Uber plans to appeal.
• April 2026: A federal jury in Charlotte found Uber liable for a driver’s conduct and awarded $5,000, the AP reported.

The mixed results show that each case turns on its own facts. Juries have looked closely at what the company knew, what it promised riders and how the driver acted during the trip. Those same questions are likely to come up in future trials.

What the verdicts do not settle

Even after three trials, the core questions are still being argued. Can a company be responsible for a contractor’s crime? How much should it have done to screen and monitor drivers? Appeals courts may weigh in on these questions, and their answers could affect thousands of cases.

How the companies have responded on safety

Both companies have added features over time. Uber offers PIN verification, audio recording, RideCheck and an emergency button, according to its safety page. In March 2026 it expanded its Women Preferences option across the U.S. Lyft lists Smart Trip Check-In, ADT emergency help, ride recording and Women+ Connect on its safety page.

Uber has said it takes every report of sexual assault very seriously and continues to invest in safety technology. Critics argue that many tools are optional and do not address who is allowed to drive. The lawsuits focus on that bigger picture: screening, monitoring and how quickly the companies act on complaints about a driver.

If this happened to you

If you were harmed during a rideshare trip, it is not your fault. Take things one step at a time:

• Get support. The RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is free and confidential at 800-656-4673.
• Get medical care if you need it, whether or not you report.
• Save what you can, like trip receipts and messages.
• Ask about deadlines. They vary by state and claim type.

You can report through the app, to police, or both. Reporting and filing a claim are separate choices, and not using a safety feature does not make you responsible for what happened.

Beyond passengers: drivers and the California cases

Passengers are not the only people bringing claims. Drivers also report assaults by riders. In Uber’s 2019–2020 safety report, about 7% of the people who reported the most serious type of sexual assault were drivers, according to ABC News.

California plays a special role in these cases. Both companies are based there, and state courts have coordinated passenger cases for years. The federal panel noted that California cases against Lyft have been coordinated for more than five years as JCCP No. 5061 (JPML order). Uber’s first state court trial took place in San Francisco in September 2025.

California’s rules also shape rideshare insurance nationwide. The California Public Utilities Commission requires $1 million in liability coverage once a driver accepts a ride.

How Uber and Lyft Lawsuits Move Through the Courts

Headlines often lump all rideshare cases together. In practice, Uber and Lyft lawsuits over passenger assaults travel through a few different court systems, and each follows its own steps.

Federal MDLs

Federal cases are grouped in multidistrict litigation, or MDL. The Uber cases are in MDL No. 3084, and the Lyft cases are in MDL No. 3171. Both are in the Northern District of California. An MDL is not a class action. Each survivor keeps an individual case, but one judge handles shared pretrial steps.

California state court coordination

California also groups similar state cases in a Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding, or JCCP. Survivors may file in state court instead of federal court, depending on where they live, where the ride happened and other legal factors.

Common stages

1. Filing. A lawyer files a complaint that describes what happened and which company is being sued.
2. Sharing facts. Survivors in large cases often complete a sworn questionnaire about the ride, the harm and their records.
3. Discovery. The companies share documents, such as safety policies and data about the driver. Survivors share medical and other records.
4. Bellwether trials. A few cases go to trial first. The verdicts described above came from this kind of process.
5. Settlement or trial. Cases may settle, or they may return to their home courts for trial. No global settlement had been announced as of October 2026.

These stages can take years. Many survivors never testify in a courtroom, but some may give a sworn interview called a deposition.

Evidence That Can Help in Uber and Lyft Lawsuits

You do not need to collect proof before talking to a law firm. But if you feel able, saving certain items can help. Firms that review Uber and Lyft lawsuits often look for the following.

From the app

• The trip receipt, which shows the date, time, route and driver’s first name
• Screenshots of the driver’s profile, car details and license plate, if you still have them
• Any messages with the driver through the app
• Copies of any report you made in the app, and the company’s replies

If you deleted the app, the records may still exist in your account or email. Do not worry if you cannot find everything. A law firm may be able to request records from the company.

Medical care and evidence

After a sexual assault, a sexual assault forensic exam can collect evidence and check for injuries. RAINN explains that you should not be asked to pay for this exam, and that federal law requires states to offer it at no cost to receive certain federal funds. RAINN also notes that DNA evidence usually must be collected within 72 hours, though other evidence may be found later.

You do not have to report to police to get an exam. Evidence can be saved in case you decide to report in the future.

Other helpful records

• A police report number, if you reported
• Names of anyone you told soon after the ride, such as a friend or family member
• Texts or social media messages you sent about what happened
• Therapy or counseling records, if you sought care
• Notes on how the harm has affected your sleep, work or relationships

If you are not ready to look at messages or photos from that night, you do not have to. Ask someone you trust to save them in a folder for you, or tell a law firm where they are and let it decide what is needed.

Keep these items private and in one place. Share them only with people you trust and with any law firm you choose.

Rideshare Crash Claims: How Insurance Coverage Works

Passengers hurt in crashes usually deal with insurance, not mass Uber and Lyft lawsuits. The coverage that applies depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the crash.

California’s coverage periods

The California Public Utilities Commission sets insurance rules for rideshare companies in three periods:

• Period 1, app on and waiting for a ride request: at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for death and injury, $30,000 for property damage, plus $200,000 in excess coverage.
• Period 2, ride accepted and driving to pick up: $1 million in primary commercial coverage.
• Period 3, passenger in the car: $1 million in primary commercial coverage, plus $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

When the app is off, the driver’s personal insurance usually applies. Other states have their own rules, so coverage outside California can differ.

Steps after a crash

• Get medical care, even if you feel fine at first.
• Take photos of the cars, the scene and your injuries, if you can do so safely.
• Report the crash in the app and save the trip receipt.
• Get the names and insurance details of every driver involved.
• Keep medical bills and records of time missed from work.

Deadlines vary by state and claim type. A participating law firm can review which policies may apply to your crash. If more than one driver was at fault, several insurers may be involved, and sorting out who pays can take time.

Questions to Ask Before Joining Uber and Lyft Lawsuits

If you decide to talk to a law firm, it is okay to ask questions before you agree to anything. These can help you understand your options.

About your case

• Would my case be filed in federal court, California state court or another court?
• Which company would be named, and why?
• What records do you need, and can you request them for me?
• How do the recent trial verdicts affect cases like mine?

About privacy and support

• Can my case be filed using initials or a pseudonym?
• How much will I need to share, and when?
• Can I bring a support person to calls or meetings?
• How will you prepare me if I need to give a deposition?

About fees and updates

• How are fees and case costs handled, and can I see that in writing?
• Who will be my main contact?
• How often will I get updates about Uber and Lyft lawsuits as a whole, and about my own case?

A firm should answer patiently and without pressure. You can take time to decide, and you can talk to more than one firm.

Caring for Yourself During a Long Case

Uber and Lyft lawsuits can take years, and news about trials can bring up hard feelings. Taking care of yourself is just as important as any legal step.

Ways to stay steady

• Limit news. It is okay to mute alerts or ask someone you trust to tell you only about updates that matter to your case.
• Keep support close. A counselor, support group or trusted friend can help on hard days.
• Plan for stressful moments. Before a deposition or a court date, schedule time to rest afterward.
• Use safety features if they help you feel more at ease. If you still use rideshare apps, sharing your trip with a friend is one option. Not using a feature never makes you responsible for harm.
• Find other ways to travel when you need to. Some survivors choose a trusted friend, public transit or a different service for a while.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting too long to ask about deadlines, which vary by state and claim type
• Deleting the app, emails or messages before saving trip records
• Posting details of the assault or your case on social media
• Signing papers from an insurer or company before getting advice
• Trusting anyone who promises a set payout from Uber and Lyft lawsuits

You set the pace

You decide whether to report, whether to file and how much to share. A participating law firm can explain options, but the choice is always yours. Taking a break to focus on healing is a valid decision.

Key Terms in Uber and Lyft Lawsuits

• MDL: Multidistrict litigation, a federal process that groups similar cases before one judge for pretrial steps.
• JCCP: A Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding, California’s way of grouping similar state court cases.
• Bellwether trial: An early test trial that helps both sides see how juries view the evidence.
• Apparent agency: A legal theory that a company can be responsible for someone who seemed to act on its behalf. It came up in the February 2026 verdict.
• Independent contractor: The status Uber and Lyft give drivers, which the companies argue limits their responsibility.
• Deposition: A sworn interview, usually held in an office or by video.
• Pseudonym: A substitute name used in court papers to protect privacy.
• Statute of limitations: The deadline to file a claim. It varies by state and claim type.

Knowing these terms can make news about Uber and Lyft lawsuits easier to follow, and help you ask clear questions about your own options.

Frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

Uber and Lyft lawsuits can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate them alone. Direct2Attorney connects passengers with participating law firms. Share what happened through our rideshare lawsuit page, and a participating firm may review whether you qualify. For crash injuries outside the app, see our motor vehicle accident page.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.