Irving TX Rideshare Assault FAQs for Survivors Seeking Justice with the Help of an Attorney

A rideshare assault happens when one party purposely inflicts harm or threatens another party on a rideshare vehicle when it is operating for a Transportation Network Company (TNC), such as Uber or Lyft.

Most victims of rideshare assault are female passengers, but victims include male passengers and drivers of both sexes. Intoxication, conflicts regarding fares, and short tempers have fueled or facilitated multiple attacks.

The Texas Penal Code classifies assault as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the action and the classification of the people involved. While victims of rideshare assault may see their assailant jailed, they also may hire a lawyer and sue them in civil court for compensation for their injuries.

An experienced and compassionate attorney is an advantage and potentially a necessity when seeking adequate compensation for your injuries after a rideshare assault. Your legal team is instrumental in your case because they have the knowledge required to file the claim, collect evidence, and present a strong case.

The Irving TX personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw want to make your legal journey as simple as possible, so you can fully recover from your financial losses and mend psychological harm. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t have as much financial stress from your personal injury lawsuit.

A personal injury lawsuit is a claim filed against an at-fault party in order to receive compensation for damages for which they are liable. It is not a criminal case, and the trial happens in civil court.

Damages for which the plaintiff can seek compensation include:

• Economic damages: medical bills, therapy costs, repair bills, property damage
• Noneconomic damages: pain and suffering, loss of consortium
• Exemplary damages: punitive damages

Texas considers Uber and Lyft drivers to be independent contractors, which means the rideshare company is generally not liable for the actions of its drivers. Independent contractors cannot have:

• Specific work hours
• Non-compete agreements restricting access to other rideshare companies or other employment
• Territory limitations or range limits

This does not mean that you cannot sue Uber or Lyft for your rideshare assault in Texas, but it is difficult. An effective argument against a rideshare company might be gross negligence in hiring practices or lack of corrective actions. This could happen if a Texas rideshare company allowed drivers with a history of assault to work for the company, or it did not respond to repeated allegations of assault. Your lawyer can go over the details of your case and ensure you sue all applicable parties in Irving, TX.