Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal or medical advice. If you or someone you know is dealing with sexual assault, consult professionals for personalized advice.
The chilling reality is that while rideshare apps are convenient and relatively safe--major rideshare companies maintain that safety incidents occur in less than 1% of rides--there is always a risk involved when you enter a stranger’s car or allow a stranger into yours. Numerous sexual assault cases have occurred during rideshare services. Faneuf Law Group has resolved many sexual assault cases. Faneuf Law Group has had some of the highest settlements for sexual assault cases in Massachusetts in the past few years. One case recently settled for $3,750,000.00, although results vary from case to case. Faneuf Law Group handles cases with injuries sustained in Uber and Lyft transports as well as injuries sustained by FedEx and UPS drivers. Faneuf Law Group settled a case recently for just under $3,000,000.00 for injuries sustained in an accident with one of these carriers. If you are one of these survivors, you may be wondering what to do next. Faneuf Law Group, LLC., is here to guide you on your next steps.
Preserving Evidence
The first step to take immediately after a sexual assault is to get somewhere safe. Find a busy, well-lit area. If you need emergency medical attention or are in immediate danger, call 911. Even if you do not call 911, you should still seek immediate medical attention--not just to care for your injuries, but to create a paper trail of evidence. Preserve any evidence, such as your clothing, in a sealed bag for later forensic analysis.
In the rideshare app, screenshot your ride information. Make sure you capture your driver’s information, the time of the ride, and the route you took. Save this screenshot somewhere safe. Consider texting or emailing a copy to yourself or a loved one.
Write down any information you remember. This will be essential when you file a report.
Reporting
In the days and weeks following a sexual assault, find a sexual assault attorney whom you trust. They will walk you through your legal options and resources.
In the case of rideshare-related assaults, you will need to make multiple reports. Report the incident to the rideshare company through their app. Lyft and Uber both have easy ways to report issues through the details sections of each ride.
You will also want to make a police report regarding the incident. If you are unsure of how to proceed with a report, consult your attorney.
Rideshare-related assaults follow the same statutes of limitations as other sexual assault cases. Typically, this will mean that survivors have three years from the date of the incident to make a report.
Recovery
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Emotional and psychological distress resulting from sexual assault can be devastating. Seek out local and national resources, such as Massachusetts statewide resources for sexual assault survivors or RAINN.
Potential Corporate Liability
There are currently thousands of federal lawsuits against major rideshare companies alleging that they did not take necessary precautions to protect drivers and passengers. If you believe that a rideshare company did not take proper precautions to prevent an assault, you can seek justice and compensation through a lawsuit.
Discuss your options with a sexual assault attorney to figure out if you may have a larger liability case.
Take Action
If you are a survivor of rideshare-related sexual assault, don’t hesitate to seek justice. At Faneuf Law Group, LLC., our experienced attorneys will support you through every step of your recovery. We fight for justice because it’s what you deserve.
Contact Faneuf Law Group today for a free consultation.