A lawsuit has been filed against a major ridesharing company, accusing it of negligence and misrepresentation that allegedly led to the sexual assault of a passenger. Jessica De La Cruz initiated legal action on December 6, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, targeting Uber Technologies, Inc. The complaint outlines numerous grievances against the company regarding its safety practices and handling of driver misconduct.
The plaintiff's case centers around an incident on April 18, 2023, when De La Cruz claims she was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver during a ride arranged through the company's app. The complaint accuses Uber of failing to implement adequate safety measures despite being aware of ongoing issues with driver misconduct. It alleges that Uber's hiring processes are lax and do not include sufficient background checks or biometric screenings like fingerprinting. Furthermore, it criticizes Uber for prioritizing profits over passenger safety by allowing drivers with previous complaints to continue working without adequate oversight.
The lawsuit details how Uber has marketed itself as a safe transportation option while allegedly knowing about the risks posed by some drivers. It accuses the company of intentionally misleading customers about its safety protocols and failing to warn passengers adequately about potential dangers. The complaint also highlights Uber's inadequate response to reported incidents of sexual assault, alleging that the company often fails to cooperate with law enforcement investigations and does not report assaults to authorities or other ridesharing companies.
De La Cruz is seeking damages for pain and suffering caused by the alleged assault, including emotional distress and anxiety. The lawsuit demands a jury trial and seeks compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 along with punitive damages for what it describes as Uber's conscious disregard for passenger safety.
Representing Jessica De La Cruz are attorneys Mark Potter, Sarah Anastasi, and Tehniat Zaman from Potter Handy LLP in San Francisco. The case is presided over by Judge Sahar Enayati under Case No. CGC-24-620404.