DFW Rideshare Sexual Assault Attorney — What Happened to You Was Not Your Fault. Justice Is Possible.
If you were sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver — or assaulted while using a rideshare service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — you are not alone and you have legal options. Texas law allows survivors to pursue civil justice against both the driver who harmed them and the rideshare company that failed to protect them. RTM PLLC represents rideshare sexual assault survivors throughout DFW with complete confidentiality, deep compassion, and fierce legal advocacy. You do not have to face this alone and you do not have to accept what happened to you without a fight.
A civil lawsuit is separate from the criminal justice system. Even if criminal charges were never filed — even if the police investigation went nowhere — you may still have a powerful civil claim against the driver and against Uber or Lyft directly. RTM PLLC pursues every available legal avenue to get you the compensation and accountability you deserve.
You Are Not Alone — Rideshare Sexual Assault Is Far More Common Than Uber and Lyft Admit
Uber’s own safety reports revealed thousands of sexual assault incidents across their platform between 2017 and 2020. Lyft reported nearly 4,000 incidents of sexual assault during the same period. These companies have known about the danger their platforms create — and they have repeatedly chosen profits over passenger safety. By pursuing a civil claim RTM PLLC helps survivors hold these billion-dollar companies accountable while recovering compensation for the very real harm they have suffered.
Civil Justice vs. Criminal Justice — Understanding Your Options
Many survivors do not pursue legal action because they believe their case is not strong enough for criminal prosecution — or because the criminal process was too retraumatizing to continue. A civil lawsuit operates completely separately from the criminal system. You do not need a criminal conviction — or even a criminal charge — to pursue a civil claim. The standard of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal cases, and civil claims can proceed regardless of what happened in the criminal system. RTM PLLC handles your civil claim with complete independence from any criminal proceedings.
How Uber and Lyft Have Failed to Protect Passengers in DFW
Rideshare companies have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety of their passengers. RTM PLLC pursues civil claims against Uber and Lyft based on the specific ways these companies have repeatedly failed that duty.
- Inadequate driver background screening — failing to identify drivers with prior criminal histories
- Allowing drivers with prior complaints or misconduct reports to continue operating on the platform
- Failure to implement safety features that could prevent assaults or allow faster reporting
- Delayed and inadequate responses to survivor reports of assault
- Failure to remove drivers after assault allegations while investigations are pending
- App design failures that compromise passenger anonymity and safety
- Insufficient ongoing monitoring of driver behavior after initial approval
- Failure to warn passengers about known risks associated with specific drivers
What Types of Assault Does RTM PLLC Handle in Rideshare Cases?
RTM PLLC represents survivors of all forms of sexual misconduct and assault that occur in connection with rideshare services in the DFW area. Every experience is valid and every survivor deserves to be heard.
- Sexual assault and rape by a rideshare driver
- Unwanted sexual touching or groping during a ride
- Sexual harassment and threatening behavior by a driver
- Assault by another passenger allowed into the vehicle by the driver
- Assault occurring after a driver took a survivor to an unintended location
- Voyeurism and recording of passengers without consent
- Any other form of sexual misconduct during or in connection with a rideshare trip
What To Do After a Rideshare Sexual Assault in Texas — At Your Own Pace
We understand that every survivor’s situation is different and that there is no single right way to respond to what happened to you. These steps are here to help protect your legal options — not to pressure you in any direction. RTM PLLC will meet you wherever you are in the process.
- Get to a safe place — your safety and wellbeing come first above everything else
- Seek medical attention — a medical examination can document injuries and preserve important evidence even if you are unsure about pursuing legal action
- Preserve everything from the app — screenshot the trip details, the driver’s name and photo, the route, and any communications before they disappear
- Do not delete the rideshare app — the trip data it contains is critical evidence
- File a police report when you are ready — this creates an official record but is not required to pursue a civil claim
- Report the incident to Uber or Lyft through the app — this creates a record with the company
- Contact RTM PLLC for a free completely confidential consultation — we will explain your options with zero pressure and zero obligation
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft Directly for a Sexual Assault in Texas?
Yes — in many cases. Uber and Lyft have argued in court that their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees in order to avoid liability. But Texas law and federal courts have increasingly recognized that these companies exercise significant control over their drivers and platforms — and that they can be held liable for negligently screening, retaining, or supervising drivers who commit assault. RTM PLLC builds cases against both the individual driver and the rideshare company using every applicable legal theory to maximize the accountability and compensation available to you.
Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Sexual Assault Cases
Rideshare companies carry substantial insurance coverage — Uber and Lyft both maintain up to one million dollars in liability coverage per incident while a trip is active. Understanding which coverage applies requires analyzing exactly when in the trip the assault occurred — whether the app was on, whether the driver had accepted a ride, and whether the trip was in progress. RTM PLLC analyzes every coverage layer available and pursues every applicable policy to ensure survivors receive maximum compensation.
What Compensation Can a Rideshare Sexual Assault Survivor Recover in Texas?
The harm caused by sexual assault goes far beyond the immediate incident. RTM PLLC pursues compensation for the full scope of what you have been through and what you will continue to face.
- Medical expenses including emergency care, examinations, and ongoing treatment
- Mental health therapy and counseling — both past and future
- Lost wages for time missed from work due to the assault and its aftermath
- Loss of future earning capacity if the trauma has affected your ability to work
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional harm you have endured
- Mental anguish — the psychological impact of the assault on your daily life
- Loss of enjoyment of life — the ways this experience has changed how you live
- Punitive damages against the rideshare company in cases of egregious negligence
Your Privacy Is Protected — RTM PLLC Handles Every Case With Complete Confidentiality
We understand that one of the biggest concerns survivors have about pursuing legal action is privacy. RTM PLLC handles every rideshare sexual assault case with absolute confidentiality. Your case can in many circumstances be filed under a pseudonym to protect your identity in court records. We will never share your information without your explicit consent and we will walk you through every privacy protection available under Texas law before you make any decision about moving forward. Your story is yours. We are here to help you tell it on your terms.
Frequently Asked Questions — Rideshare Sexual Assault Claims in Texas
Do I have to go to court to pursue a rideshare assault claim? Not necessarily. Many cases resolve through negotiated settlements without requiring survivors to testify at trial. RTM PLLC discusses every option with you and will never pressure you to pursue a path you are not comfortable with. Your wellbeing and your choices guide every decision we make together.
What if I was drinking when the assault happened? What happened to you was not your fault regardless of whether you had been drinking. Intoxication does not eliminate your legal rights as a survivor and it does not excuse what the driver did to you. RTM PLLC will never judge you and we will fight just as hard for you regardless of the circumstances.
How long do I have to file a rideshare sexual assault lawsuit in Texas? Generally two years from the date of the assault under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. However app data, driver records, and company communications can be lost or deleted over time. The sooner you contact RTM PLLC the more evidence we can preserve. Please reach out when you are ready — we will meet you there.
What if the driver was never criminally charged or convicted? A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil claim. The civil legal system operates independently from the criminal justice system and uses a different and lower standard of proof. RTM PLLC has successfully pursued civil claims for survivors even in cases where no criminal charges were ever filed.
Does RTM PLLC handle cases outside of Dallas-Fort Worth? Yes. While RTM PLLC is based in the DFW area we handle rideshare sexual assault cases throughout Texas. If you are outside the DFW area please reach out and we will discuss how we can help you.
Support Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors in Texas
Pursuing legal action is one part of your journey. RTM PLLC encourages every survivor to seek support from the following resources — your healing matters more than any lawsuit.
National Sexual Assault Hotline — RAINN: 1-800-656-4673 — free confidential 24/7 support
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA): taasa.org
Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC): 972-641-7273
SafeHaven of Tarrant County: 877-701-7233
Collin County Rape Crisis Center: 972-422-2911
Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis support
You Deserve Justice. RTM PLLC Is Ready to Stand With You — Confidentially and Compassionately.
You do not have to have all the answers right now. You do not have to know what you want to do. All you have to do is reach out. RTM PLLC offers free completely confidential consultations for rideshare sexual assault survivors throughout Texas — with zero pressure and zero obligation. We will listen to you, explain your options honestly, and support whatever decision you make. Call us at (254) 421-4442 or submit the form below whenever you are ready. We will be here.
