Lawsuits across the United States accuse Uber of failing to protect riders from sexual assault. Survivors say drivers carried out assaults during or after trips arranged through the app. Plaintiffs say Uber ignored warnings and overlooked earlier complaints. Riders also say the company overstated its commitment to safety through marketing and public messaging.
The litigation now stands as one of the most significant sexual-assault legal actions linked to a rideshare company. Federal judges combined the cases into a multidistrict litigation in California. Attorneys continue to file new claims each month. Court records show steady growth in the number of plaintiffs. No global settlement exists.
Survivors say Uber’s system failed at key safety points. Riders trusted the platform. Riders believed the service provided a basic level of protection. Plaintiffs now contend that Uber was unable to provide that protection. The litigation may influence how rideshare companies handle screening, complaints, and rider warnings.
How the Lawsuits Started
Complaints surfaced nationwide as Uber expanded in major cities. Riders in California, Illinois, Michigan, and other states reported sexual assaults. Plaintiffs say the attacks were committed by drivers approved through the platform. Attorneys began to track repeating patterns. Riders stated that drivers with prior allegations of misconduct remained active on the app. Riders also say the company promoted Uber as a safer alternative to driving.
Survivors then contacted attorneys. Individual lawsuits were entered in both state and federal courts. The volume of cases grew. Judges saw similar fact patterns across multiple jurisdictions. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation established the MDL in 2023 to consolidate the claims in a single federal court.
Background of the Uber Sexual Assault Case
The MDL bears the formal title In re Uber Technologies, Inc., Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation, No. 23-03084. Judge Charles Breyer oversees the cases in the Northern District of California.
The MDL centralizes claims arising from Uber’s alleged safety failures. Plaintiffs say the company failed to warn riders about high-risk drivers. Plaintiffs also allege that Uber was unable to investigate prior reports. Attorneys state the MDL structure allows consistent discovery rules and coordinated motions.
Court updates from 2024 and 2025 show rapid expansion. One update noted filings rising from 2,721 in October 2025 to 2,783 in November 2025. The numbers reflect ongoing public participation. Attorneys say more survivors continue to contact legal teams. Some related lawsuits remain active in state courts.
Key Allegations in the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits
Survivors raise several allegations that appear consistently across the lawsuits. Plaintiffs say Uber:
- Failed to screen drivers properly
- Failed to act on earlier complaints
- Was unable to warn riders about known risks
- Failed to remove unsafe drivers
- Failed to present accurate safety messages
- Was unable to design the platform with stronger safety features, such as same-gender driver options
Reuters reported that Judge Breyer dismissed some marketing-related fraud claims. The court allowed product liability claims and warning-based claims to proceed. Those claims now shape the core of the MDL.
Uber denies the allegations. No settlement has been approved.
Timeline of the Uber Sexual Assault Litigation
The following timeline uses verified public reporting and competitor-documented history.
1. Early Complaints and Public Attention
Survivors filed individual lawsuits in several states. Advocates tracked rising complaints. Newsrooms covered stories involving riders who described harassment and assault. Public concern increased. Attorneys noted signs of widespread risk across the rideshare market.
2. Uber’s Public Response
Uber issued public statements highlighting expanded background checks. The company also referenced new app features. Uber published annual Safety Reports that counted sexual assault incidents on the platform. Plaintiffs say the data showed Uber knew the scope of the problem. Uber denies wrongdoing and states the service remains committed to rider safety.
3. MDL Formation and Early Court Actions
Federal judges created MDL No. 23-03084 in October 2023. The MDL then moved under Judge Breyer’s direction. Early rulings followed. The court dismissed specific fraud claims arising from marketing slogans. The court kept core safety claims alive, set discovery plans, and established procedural deadlines. Those steps prepared the MDL for bellwether trial selection.
4. Growth of Case Filings
Court filings show rapid shifts in volume. Attorneys reported more than 2,500 active claims by mid-2025. The docket later showed filings rising from 2,721 to 2,783 in a single month. Attorneys say the numbers confirm widespread participation. The MDL continues to accept new plaintiffs.
5. First Trial Outcome (Outside the MDL)
A California jury issued a verdict on September 30, 2025. The jury found Uber not liable in that specific case. Reuters reported that the jury identified some negligence but saw no direct link to the assault. The ruling applies to only one plaintiff. The MDL remains unaffected.
6. Bellwether Trial Planning
Attorneys prepared proposed schedules in 2025. The proposals addressed trial sequencing and evidence deadlines. The court has not issued a final bellwether schedule. The filings show both sides expect further discovery and expert testimony. No overall settlement has emerged.
7. Settlement Discussions (No Confirmed Agreement)
Public filings mention early discussions about the potential role of a Special Settlement Master. The docket shows no approved settlement. Attorneys say survivors continue to file claims. The MDL remains in an active discovery phase.
8. Current Status in Late 2025
This lawsuit is active as of December 2025, and none of the allegations against the defendant(s) have been proven. The MDL remains active under Judge Breyer. Core allegations continue. Attorneys prepare expert reports and depositions. New claims enter the docket regularly. The litigation shows forward momentum.
Additional Case Details
Some cases describe a different pattern. Plaintiffs say drivers abandoned riders in unsafe areas. Riders later faced assault by strangers. Plaintiffs argue that Uber had a duty throughout the ride. Attorneys highlight Uber’s past campaigns that encouraged riders to choose the app after drinking. Plaintiffs say they relied on that message during late-night travel.
Uber denies liability and continues its legal defense.
Final Summary
The Uber sexual assault lawsuits mark a major legal challenge for the rideshare industry. The MDL holds thousands of cases. The court preserved claims that center on rider safety and warning duties. Bellwether trials will provide a clearer picture of future outcomes. Attorneys expect ongoing filings. The litigation may shape future rules in driver screening, rider warnings, and safety protocols.
FAQs
Who can file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit?
A rider can file an Uber sexual assault lawsuit after an assault during or after a trip. A rider must show that the driver used the platform. Additionally, the rider must demonstrate that the assault caused harm. A rider then contacts an attorney to start the process.
What do Uber sexual assault lawsuits claim?
Uber sexual assault lawsuits claim the company failed to protect riders. Plaintiffs allege that Uber ignored prior warnings and was unable to screen drivers. Plaintiffs allege that the warning systems did not function.
Does the Uber sexual assault MDL include all states?
The MDL includes cases from many states. Federal judges consolidated the cases before a single court. Attorneys say survivors from multiple states continue to join the MDL.
Has Uber settled these lawsuits?
No public settlement exists. Attorneys say talks remain limited. Court records show active discovery. The MDL continues without a global resolution.
What court handles the Uber sexual assault MDL?
The Northern District of California handles the MDL. Judge Charles Breyer oversees the proceedings. The MDL carries the case number 23-03084.
What happens next in the Uber sexual assault lawsuits?
Attorneys prepare expert reports. Attorneys conduct depositions. The court prepares steps toward bellwether trials. The MDL then moves into its next phase.
Disclaimer: All information in this article is derived from verified public sources, including Reuters, federal court filings, competitor analyses, and government records. No assumptions or unverified claims appear in this article. JudicialOcean.com does not provide legal advice.
