A shocking lawsuit has been filed against a major ride-sharing company, alleging a systemic failure to protect passengers from sexual assault by its drivers. The complaint was lodged by Jane Doe PWP 074 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on November 11, 2024, targeting Lyft, Inc. The plaintiff accuses the company of negligence and failing to implement adequate safety measures despite being aware of ongoing assaults.
The lawsuit outlines disturbing allegations against Lyft, detailing how the company has been aware since at least 2015 that some of its drivers were sexually assaulting female passengers. Despite this knowledge, the plaintiff claims that Lyft has failed to conduct thorough background checks or implement effective monitoring systems to ensure passenger safety. "LYFT continues to hire drivers without performing adequate background checks," the complaint states, accusing the company of prioritizing profits over passenger safety.
Jane Doe PWP 074 recounts her own harrowing experience on October 19, 2022, when she was allegedly assaulted by a Lyft driver in Sacramento. The driver reportedly made inappropriate comments and engaged in lewd behavior during the ride. This incident is said to have caused significant emotional distress and trauma for the plaintiff. The lawsuit highlights that similar incidents have occurred repeatedly due to Lyft's inadequate response to known risks.
The legal filing argues that Lyft is vicariously liable for these assaults under several legal theories including respondeat superior and non-delegable duty doctrines. It claims that Lyft’s business model inherently exposes passengers to danger by failing to screen drivers properly or warn passengers about potential risks. The plaintiff seeks general and special damages for past and future suffering as well as punitive damages aimed at deterring future misconduct by the company.
Represented by attorneys Rachel B. Abrams and Adam B. Wolf from Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise LLP, along with Adam K. Pulaski and D. Douglas Grubbs from Pulaski Kherkher PLLC., Jane Doe PWP 074 demands accountability from Lyft for its alleged negligence and misrepresentation regarding passenger safety. The case is presided over in San Francisco Superior Court under Case ID CGC-24-619714.