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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RECORD

Monday, November 4, 2024

Passenger Accuses Ride-Sharing Giant Lyft of Negligence Following Assault

State Court
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A shocking lawsuit has been filed against a major ride-sharing company, accusing it of negligence and failing to protect its passengers from sexual assault. The complaint was lodged by Jane Doe LS 575 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on October 17, 2024, targeting Lyft, Inc., a Delaware Corporation.

The case centers around allegations that Lyft has knowingly allowed a culture of sexual misconduct among its drivers to persist since at least 2014. The plaintiff, Jane Doe LS 575, claims she was raped by a Lyft driver on May 4, 2024, after attending a wedding in San Diego. According to the complaint, the driver pulled over into a rural area and assaulted her while she was intoxicated and unable to defend herself. This incident is part of a broader pattern of behavior that the plaintiff argues Lyft has failed to address adequately. "LYFT continues to hire drivers without performing adequate background checks," the lawsuit states, accusing the company of prioritizing profits over passenger safety.

The lawsuit lists numerous causes of action against Lyft including general negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, common carrier negligence, and vicarious liability for sexual assault and battery. It alleges that Lyft's business model encourages rapid onboarding of new drivers without proper vetting or monitoring systems in place. The plaintiff accuses Lyft of failing to implement reasonable safety measures such as mandatory video monitoring during rides or stringent background checks akin to those required for taxi drivers.

Jane Doe LS 575 seeks both economic and non-economic damages for the trauma she endured. The complaint highlights the psychological and physical harm suffered by the plaintiff due to what it describes as "depraved attacks" facilitated by Lyft's alleged negligence. Additionally, punitive damages are sought to deter future misconduct by holding Lyft accountable for its alleged failure to protect passengers from known risks associated with its service.

Representing Jane Doe LS 575 are attorneys William A. Levin and Laurel L. Simes from Levin Simes LLP based in San Francisco. The case is being heard under Case No. CGC-24-619059 in front of judges at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.

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