When we were kids, our parents warned us never to get in a car with a stranger. Today, many of us do this all the time, thanks to rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. However, despite the many measures in place to prevent assaults, you can still be at risk when you get into a car with a stranger.
If this happens to you, you should know what you can do to protect yourself and hold the perpetrator responsible.
Notify the police
If you can, you should call 911 as soon as you feel threatened or a rideshare driver assaults you. If you cannot call from the vehicle, you can call the police as soon as you can safely after an altercation.
Making a report with the police documents the details of your assault and provides the information they – and parties like an attorney – need to locate the assaulting party and take appropriate action.
See a doctor right away
After an assault, whether physical or sexual, seeing a doctor immediately is crucial. Going to the hospital can ensure you get the care you need. It also creates a record of the extent of your injuries. This information can be incredibly valuable when it comes to proving damages.
File a report with the rideshare company
Unfortunately, assaults involving rideshare companies and drivers are more common than anyone would like. As a result, most companies have a standard process for reporting driver misconduct, so making a report can be as straightforward as completing an online form.
After you file a report, the company should investigate your claims and may decide to suspend or fire the driver for their actions.
Examine your legal options
Any actions companies take against drivers may not be sufficient in victims’ eyes. As such, you might decide to file a lawsuit against a driver, rideshare company or other parties involved in an assault. Further, class actions and criminal charges could be worth discussing.
Sadly, thousands of people are involved in rideshare assaults every year. Uber alone has reported nearly 4,000 severe assaults over two years. Knowing that you are not alone can provide some comfort, but holding a person responsible and pursuing compensation for damages can make recovering from a traumatic situation a little easier.