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Plano TX Sexual Assault by Rideshare Driver - Victims’ Legal Rights
There are many victims of rideshare sexual assault, and the assailants are often the drivers. From unwanted kissing to rape, these drivers have trapped riders in their vehicles or taken advantage of victims while they slept. Sexual assault results in extreme physical and emotional injuries, and victims of Plano, TX rideshare assaults deserve more than criminal charges against their rideshare driver. They deserve compensation for their losses.
If you or a loved one was the victim of a rideshare sexual assault, hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best way to get compensation for your injuries. The Plano TX lawyers at Carabin Shaw understand the multiple effects sexual assault can have on a victim, and we navigate the legal system to ease the process involved in a personal injury lawsuit. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t have to pay legal fees while trying to recover.
Prevalence of Sexual Assaults in Rideshare VehiclesPopular rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft rely on their reputation for attracting clients. Naturally, their safety reports reflect numbers indicating that sexual assaults are rare. However, the number of Uber sexual assaults in their latest report was 3,824 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Forty-three percent of the sexual assaults were allegedly committed by the driver. Lyft riders reported 1,807 sexual assaults in 2019, and it is not clear how many assaults were committed by drivers.
In a rideshare sexual assault lawsuit, an attorney may argue that a rideshare company should have taken better proactive measures to prevent assault. This includes better vetting practices for drivers and quicker response times when riders reach out for support via the in-app security features. Rideshare companies may share liability in the damages inflicted on rideshare passengers.
Damages After an Uber or Lyft Sexual AssaultThe economic damages from sexual assaults are the easiest for a lawyer to quantify, or assign a dollar amount to. Medical treatment, therapy, and loss of property are easy for a judge to consider and consequently, award damages.
Noneconomic damages are difficult for the victim because they are complex and ongoing. A victim does not simply heal from their emotional damages. Any permanent physical damages cause additional pain and suffering. There’s no accurate method for computing the amount of stress and trauma a person has from the accident because it is internal and unique to the victim.
Noneconomic damages listed in the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional pain
- Loss of consortium (loss of a relationship)
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Loss of companionship and society (isolation)
- Inconvenience
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Injured reputation
- Other losses not related to money
A qualified Plano rideshare sexual assault lawyer will help you to explain these damages in your complaint, so you can receive compensation for your unseen injuries following a rideshare assault.
Who is Liable for Sexual Assault in Rideshare Vehicles?A Texas rideshare driver has the clearest liability after a rideshare sexual assault. Their actions are likely considered willful, and the courts may have criminal charges to back up your civil claim in court. Your sexual assault attorney in Plano Texas may also add the rideshare company to your claim for their portion of liability.
The courts waver in whether they assign a portion of liability to rideshare companies, as they consider the drivers to be independent contractors. However, companies like Uber and Lyft have hiring practices that make the company potentially liable if they aren’t vetting drivers and trying to keep customers safe. The courts may consider these companies negligent in their hiring practices or enforcement of safety guidelines.
Hiring a Plano TX Rideshare Assault Attorney You Can Trust - Call Today to Schedule Your Free, No-Obligation ConsultationThe legal team at Carabin Shaw is dedicated to helping you receive compensation for your rideshare sexual assault injuries. Our team will help you navigate the legal system with as little stress as possible, so you don’t have to hinder your healing journey. Read our client reviews, and find out how we’ve helped our clients, then call for a free consultation. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available 24/7 to answer your call to our toll-free number at 800-862-1260.
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