Your Rights After a Houston Rideshare Physical Assault: Holding Uber & Lyft Accountable

The physical assault of rideshare victims in Houston, TX happens to both drivers and riders of shared vehicles. Rideshare drivers are typically independent contractors, which limits the liability of large rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. This makes it difficult for a lawyer to hold rideshare companies accountable for not doing their part to prevent this type of crime.

The Texas rideshare injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw understand the complicit role that rideshare companies have taken in many instances of physical assault. Our team is empathetic and driven to help you succeed in your legal efforts. We are here to listen to the details of your assault and provide the best options for you to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

The number of physical assaults on rideshare vehicles is difficult to accurately determine because so many victims may not report the crime, and self-reporting by rideshare companies may be unreliable. An Uber Safety Report released in 2022 reports 20 fatalities between the years 2019 and 2020, but it does not release statistics about non-deadly physical assaults. Lyft seemed equally restricted in its report with 4 deadly physical assaults in 2019.

Regardless of official reporting, the news contains multiple stories of Houston rideshare physical assault. There are claims that fake rideshare drivers have preyed on unsuspecting customers who couldn’t validate the authenticity of their driver. Other assaults have occurred over altercations between the driver and passenger. Passengers, and sometimes drivers, have been under the influence of intoxicants, which increases conflict. When someone sustains an injury, the driver may not have the means to pay in a lawsuit.

An attorney in a rideshare physical assault will often look at the assailant as the primary liable party in a personal injury case, but the rideshare company may share in that liability. In the past, lawyers have argued that rideshare companies did not perform background checks, neglected to provide safety solutions, and ignored complaints about physical assault.

The liability divide the courts assign to drivers versus rideshare companies is hazy because Uber and Lyft expect their drivers to adhere to the rideshare companies’ rules. A lawyer can argue that this lessens the independent relationship of drivers with the company, and it is conceivable that the courts would hold companies liable for the actions of their drivers. For example, if companies don’t remove a troublesome driver and subject further clients to his dangerous behavior, they may be liable for Uber and Lyft assault in Houston TX.

Damages in a physical assault case on a Houston rideshare vehicle may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income
• Medical bills
• Counseling or therapy bills
• Disability
• Future treatments
• Punitive damages

The courts could award punitive damages if they determine a party committed gross negligence. They could consider Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies grossly negligent in hiring practices, safety protocols, and lack of action against drivers following complaints.

Uber and Lyft have a responsibility to do everything within reason to protect the passengers on their rideshare vehicles. They are large companies with strong legal teams, so you need an experienced Houston rideshare assault lawyer to present your case.

At Carabin Shaw, we know lawsuits are stressful, which is why we focus our attention on taking the stress off of you during your legal journey. Call us for a free consultation, and find out more about our success stories from our client reviews. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available 24/7, and we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis. This means you don't have to pay legal fees until we win your lawsuit. Call our toll-free number at 800-862-1260 today, and receive peace of mind that you have a quality legal team on your side.

For more information:

• Uber
• Community Safety Report - Lyft
• CaseText