Billions of Trips, Thousands of Assaults – The Data Behind Rideshare Assault Litigation
In 2024, Americans completed an estimated 11.3 billion Uber rides, fueling a rideshare market worth more than $120.8 billion. But alongside this explosive growth, a new study conducted by Chaikin Trial Group reveals a darker reality: thousands of passengers and drivers have reported sexual assaults, and litigation against rideshare companies is surging.
Between 2021 and 2022, Uber alone reported 2,717 sexual assault cases, the majority involving female passengers. Lyft, in its most recent safety report, disclosed 2,651 accusations between 2020 and 2022. While both companies highlight declining overall numbers compared to earlier years, the study shows that the most serious categories of assault, including non-consensual sexual penetration, are rising.
Litigation Trends: A Surge in Cases
As of July 2025, there were 2,359 sexual assault lawsuits pending in federal multidistrict litigation against Uber, down slightly from June’s 2,378. The trajectory, however, shows rapid escalation:
- 79 lawsuits filed in October 2023
- 878 new cases in September 2024
- 283 added in April 2025
- 190 more in July 2025
The first Uber sexual assault trial is scheduled for December 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the industry.
Plaintiffs argue that Uber’s marketing such as “Designated Driver” ads promoting the platform as a safe alternative to drunk driving, misled passengers, particularly intoxicated women traveling late at night. They also contend that app features like driver photos and star ratings should disclose prior misconduct or criminal convictions.
Who Are the Victims and Perpetrators?
The study’s data analysis paints a clear picture:
- 68% of assaults were committed by drivers, most of them men aged 30–45.
- 31% were committed by riders.
- 1% involved third parties.
When it comes to non-consensual sexual penetration:
- 89% of victims were women, primarily aged 18–29.
- 90% of perpetrators were drivers.
Other categories show similar patterns:
- 84% of non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part involved drivers.
- 87% of attempted non-consensual penetration involved drivers.
- 59% of non-consensual touching of a sexual body part involved drivers.
The overwhelming conclusion: women are disproportionately the victims, and drivers are disproportionately the perpetrators.
Lyft’s Numbers Tell a Parallel Story
Lyft’s safety report covering 2020–2022 documented 1.41 billion rides and 2,651 sexual assault accusations. While overall reports declined by 21% compared to 2017–2019, the most serious category—non-consensual sexual penetration increased by 26%.
Fatal assaults also rose sharply: from 10 between 2017–2019 to 23 between 2020–2022, a 185% increase.
Geographic Hotspots
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the states with the highest rates of rideshare-related assaults are:
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
These states combine high population density with heavy rideshare usage, creating conditions where risks are amplified.
Background Checks and Oversight Gaps
Both Uber and Lyft conduct background checks, but the study highlights significant gaps:
- Uber generally applies a seven-year rule for crimes like fraud or drug offenses.
- Lyft permanently disqualifies drivers for many felony convictions, regardless of when they occurred.
- Neither company consistently tracks prior complaints or non-conviction records.
- Ongoing monitoring after onboarding is limited.
The study also notes the rise of fake rideshare drivers, with recent assaults in Chicago underscoring the risks of impersonation.
Transparency and Accountability
Uber’s first safety report led to a $59 million fine from the California Public Utilities Commission for failing to disclose additional data. Lyft, meanwhile, only released its first safety report in 2021 and has not committed to future updates. In July 2025, Lyft agreed to a $25 million settlement with shareholders over disclosures related to assault incidents.
The study concludes that without consistent, transparent reporting, meaningful safety reforms will remain elusive.
Conclusion
The data shows progress in reducing some categories of assault, but the persistence—and in some cases, growth—of the most serious offenses underscores a systemic problem. With thousands of lawsuits pending and the first federal trials approaching, the rideshare industry faces a reckoning.
The study makes clear: until background checks are strengthened, transparency is enforced, and safety measures are expanded, rideshare platforms will continue to expose passengers, especially young women, to unacceptable risks.
