New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Urges Uber to Explain How It’s Addressing Reports of Riders Being Sexually Assaulted and Harassed
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (January 28, 2026) – A number of Uber riders have been sexually assaulted or harassed, leading to a wave of new complaints and lawsuits.
According to the New York Times, “Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2022, sealed court records show, a level far more pervasive than what the company has disclosed.”
Both passengers and drivers have been the victims of these assaults. This has led New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli to urge Uber explain what it is doing to protect riders. According to DiNapoli, “For Uber to succeed, its users need to feel safe and not have a shred of doubt about using the service.”
New York has a vested interest in Uber succeeding. As of 2026, the state’s pension holds shares of Uber worth approximately $240 million.
Liability for Uber Sexual Assaults
Uber and other rideshare companies have a legal obligation to protect users from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. Depending on the unique circumstances of any incident, they could be liable for any instance where a rider is sexually assaulted or harassed. This may be possible through a negligent hiring or retention claim. There are several elements that must be demonstrated in such a claim.
- An employer hired the individual that caused harm.
- The worker was unfit or dangerous for the position that they were hired for.
- The employer knew or should’ve known that the worker was unfit or dangerous.
- The worker’s unfitness was a proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
Many of the instances of sexual abuse and harassment involving Uber are preventable. Part of the problem is that Uber has consistently chosen to use background checks that are not as rigorous as they could be. In fact, there have been a number of instances where criminals were allowed to drive on the platform.
Steps to Take After Uber Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse and assaults involving Ubers are far more common than many people realize. According to CNN, “Even as its ridership was decimated by the pandemic in 2020, Uber recorded 141 reports of rape on its platform in the United States, the company disclosed in its safety report released Thursday.” Several steps should be taken after any instance of sexual abuse involving an Uber.
- Victims should seek medical attention as early as possible.
- The incident should be reported to the police so that they can begin an investigation.
- All evidence related to the incident should be preserved.
- Victims should document everything that they can remember.
- Any person sexually assaulted in an Uber or Lyft should seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney.
It can be hard to know where to begin after any instance of sexual abuse. Many victims are left psychologically scarred and traumatized. To make matters worse, Uber will virtually never accept responsibility if one of their customers is sexually harassed or assaulted. It is important for victims to understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a personal injury claim.
Getting Legal Help After Uber Sexual Assaults
We at GLK Law extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been sexually harassed or assaulted while using Uber. The company needs to be more transparent about what is taking place. They also need to take additional measures to protect consumers.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured while using Uber or Lyft? You may have legal recourse. Our team of experienced New York sexual abuse attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the support and justice that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
