How much was Uber ordered to pay in the Arizona lawsuit?

Uber was ordered to pay $8.5 million to a woman who alleged a driver raped her.

What was the core argument against Uber in the lawsuit?

The lawsuit argued that Uber knew about driver assaults on passengers and failed to implement adequate safety measures.

Does Uber plan to accept the jury's verdict?

Uber has stated its intention to appeal the jury's decision, highlighting that negligence was not found.

Home / Crime and Justice / Jury Awards $8.5M to Passenger in Uber Driver Assault

Jury Awards $8.5M to Passenger in Uber Driver Assault

7 Feb

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Summary

Uber ordered to pay $8.5 million to a woman alleging rape.
Lawsuit argued Uber knew about driver assaults and failed to act.
Company plans to appeal, stating no negligence was found.

Jury Awards $8.5M to Passenger in Uber Driver Assault

A federal jury in Arizona has ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman alleging she was raped by a driver during a trip in November 2023. The plaintiff's lawsuit contended that Uber was aware of passengers being assaulted by its drivers and failed to implement necessary safety measures. This decision follows thousands of reported sexual assault incidents involving Uber drivers and passengers.

Uber has stated its plan to appeal the verdict, noting that the jury did not find the company negligent or its safety systems defective. A company spokesperson asserted that the verdict validates Uber's responsible actions and investments in rider safety. The incident occurred as the plaintiff was traveling to her hotel after a graduation celebration.

Uber has faced similar criticisms regarding insufficient rider protection. The company reports a substantial decrease in sexual assault incidents over recent years, citing data from 2017-2018 compared to 2021-2022. In an effort to enhance safety, Uber partnered with Lyft in 2021 to create a shared database of drivers removed for misconduct.