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Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
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Quick Links
- Your Rights and Options After Experiencing Rideshare Sexual Assault or Abuse
- Does Uber or Lyft Require Mediation and Arbitration?
- Can I File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Uber? Should I?
- How Much Financial Compensation Can I Receive If an Uber Driver Sexually Assaulted Me?
- Our NYC Personal Injury Attorneys
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed how New Yorkers get around the city, connecting passengers with drivers at the tap of a button. However, with this convenience comes potential risks, including the possibility of sexual assault.
As a leading New York City personal injury law firm, Meirowitz & Wasserberg understands the toll sexual violence can take on victims and their loved ones. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual assault, abuse, or harassment while using a rideshare service, we encourage you to reach out to us for help as soon as possible. We provide a safe, supportive, and confidential environment where you can share your story and explore your legal options with a trusted sexual abuse attorney.
Your Rights and Options After Experiencing Rideshare Sexual Assault or Abuse
Reporting to the Rideshare Platform
You do not need to suffer in silence after experiencing sexual violence while using a rideshare service. Options are available for you to hold the offender accountable and seek monetary compensation for your losses.
While taking action can feel intimidating, our team is here to guide and support you every step of the way. We can help you determine if reporting to the rideshare platform, filing a police report, or filing a rideshare sexual assault lawsuit is the best course of action for your situation.
My name is Melissa Reitberg, and I’m an attorney at Meirowitz & Wasserberg. Our firm is experienced in handling Uber and Lyft sexual assault cases.
One of our goals is to help individuals understand their rights and options regarding their potential rideshare sexual assault claims.
In our experience, victims often question what they should do after experiencing a rideshare sexual assault, who they should talk to, and how they can get help.
Safety is always the number one priority. After ensuring that you are in a safe environment and your medical needs have been met, speaking with an experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer can help victims navigate the best path forward.
The first question many victims have is how they can know if what they’ve experienced is rideshare sexual assault.
There are a number of types of incidents that may be considered sexual assault, including attempted intercourse, unwanted fondling or touching, groping, and other non-consensual acts.
Manipulation may also be physical or non-physical. If you’ve experienced any of these, you should speak to an Uber or Lyft sexual assault lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can not only help you understand your rights and options, but we can also help preserve evidence, guide you through filing a report with the platform, and assist with filing a police report.
It’s especially important to act quickly because the statute of limitations in most jurisdictions is two years, but in some, it can be as short as one year.
This means the case must be filed within that time frame. You can speak to an experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer, like myself, for free, and many trusted, experienced law firms, including Meirowitz & Wasserberg, take these cases on contingency.
This means there are no upfront costs for you to pursue a claim against Uber or Lyft. We are only compensated if and when we win your case.
Another question we often get asked is whether the lawsuit can be filed under seal or anonymously. In other words, it’s common for victims to want to keep the details of the traumatic experience they went through private.
Many individuals are able to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft under seal, but this depends on various factors, including local laws applicable to the specific incident.
By discussing your particular situation with an experienced rideshare sexual assault lawyer, we can help you understand your rights and options, including the potential to protect your privacy during the process.
Thousands of individuals have already filed sexual assault claims against Uber and Lyft after horrible experiences. These brave individuals are fighting for justice and to prevent future harm after experiencing trauma that should never have happened. Understanding the next steps you can take after experiencing a rideshare sexual assault can be overwhelming and confusing.
You can reach out to us today, and we can help answer your questions and take the next good step forward toward justice and healing.
Both Uber and Lyft allow users to report incidents of sexual violence that occur while using their services. Doing so may result in the deactivation of the offender’s account, but it does not guarantee they will face criminal charges or be held financially responsible for their actions.
You can report the incident through the app’s help center during or after the trip. You may also have the option to call the company’s support line. In either case, document all communication with the company for future reference.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
In addition to filing a police report, you may also choose to file a civil lawsuit against the offender. This is a separate legal process from criminal charges.
The main goal of a Uber sexual assault lawsuit is financial compensation. You deserve restitution for any physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses you suffered due to the assault. If you want to pursue a civil lawsuit, you must seek medical care, file a police report, and report the incident to the platform as soon as possible. Then, be sure to consult with a sexual abuse lawyer who has experience handling rideshare cases.
My name is Melissa Reitberg, and I’m an attorney at Meirowitz & Wasserberg. One of the most common questions we get asked by people considering legal action after an unfortunate sexual assault incident is, “Will people know if I file a lawsuit? Will my friends know? Will my family know? Will people at work know that I was sexually assaulted and am pursuing legal action?”
There are different rules in various states that may impact your ability to file under seal, so be sure to talk to your attorney to understand if these options are available to you, based on your specific circumstances.
Does Uber or Lyft Require Mediation and Arbitration?
Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution involving a neutral third party, rather than a judge or jury, who makes the final decision in the case. It keeps the case out of the court system and away from the public eye.
Both Uber and Lyft once required arbitration for sexual assault victims, but they dropped the policies in 2018. This means that victims now have the option to file public lawsuits against these companies, which may result in larger settlements and greater accountability.
Can I File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Uber? Should I?
You may file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit against the company if its negligence contributed to the assault. For example, if one of its drivers committed the assault and the company failed to check the driver’s criminal record or ignored previous complaints about the driver, you may have a strong case against Uber.
The decision to file a lawsuit against Uber is personal. Only you can decide if it’s the right course of action for you. However, consider that by filing a lawsuit, you may not only hold Uber accountable but also help prevent future assaults from occurring. Additionally, a lawsuit may be the only way to receive compensation for the losses you have suffered due to the assault.
How Much Financial Compensation Can I Receive If an Uber Driver Sexually Assaulted Me?
The amount of financial compensation you can receive in an Uber sexual assault lawsuit depends on factors unique to your specific case. These include the financial losses you have suffered, such as medical bills and lost wages, in addition to the assault’s impact on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Uber’s degree of liability for the assault may also affect your compensation.
When you turn to Meirowitz & Wasserberg, we’ll evaluate your situation and help you determine the potential value of your Uber or Lyft rideshare sexual assault lawsuit. If we mutually agree to proceed with a lawsuit, we’ll seek the maximum compensation available while you focus on healing.
See first-hand why countless New Yorkers have trusted us to represent them. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options.
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Filing a Report With Law Enforcement
Criminal penalties for Uber sexual assault are only possible if you bring your complaint to law enforcement. The New York Police Department has an online reporting service for non-emergency crimes. You can also call the police directly or visit your local police station to make a report. If you’re in immediate danger or the crime is in progress, call 911.
Remember, filing a police report isn’t the same as pressing charges. Filing a report simply brings the incident to law enforcement’s attention. After you file the report, the police may conduct an investigation, and the District Attorney’s Office will decide whether to file criminal charges.
