A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, accusing the company of failing to protect her from being raped by her Lyft driver in 2019.
She alleges that the assault led to her becoming pregnant and giving birth to her third child. This is the most recent in a series of sexual assault allegations against the rideshare company.
Lyft has denied the allegations in the lawsuit, stating that the incident occurred during an “off-app” ride and that they were only made aware of the alleged assault years after it happened.
The plaintiff claims that the driver made her ride in the front seat, complimented and inappropriately touched her, and then insisted on helping her inside once they arrived at her destination, despite her protests. He then allegedly assaulted her repeatedly.
Means’ lawsuit is part of a pattern of legal action against rideshare companies for alleged sexual assault or misconduct, with Lyft facing dozens of lawsuits. The company has continued to deny these allegations.
The incident has also prompted some states to consider implementing stricter safety regulations for rideshare companies and increased protections for both drivers and riders. Means is seeking damages from Lyft and is advocating for the company to enhance its safety measures and driver hiring procedures.
Despite Lyft’s claims that its service is safe, Means alleges that the assault took place during a trip booked through the Lyft app, contradicting the company’s assertions.
The suit has also brought up concerns about rider safety, as there have been previous cases of sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Investigators have found that some incidents were not reported to the authorities or to the companies, and many went unaddressed.
Following this incident and others, Lyft and Uber have committed to sharing the names of drivers deactivated over the most serious safety incidents between the two companies. Lyft has also taken steps to enhance its background check and driver hiring procedures, implement continuous criminal record monitoring, and require drivers to complete a community safety education program.
Means’ lawsuit has prompted a broader conversation about the safety of rideshare services and the responsibility of companies like Lyft to protect their passengers. It also sheds light on the need for improved safety measures, accountability, and support for assault survivors.
