Although rideshare services have become one of the most popular methods of transportation, they are not without their risks and shortcomings. The amount of regulation exercised over these companies is much less than the regulation exerted over public transportation and privates taxi companies. Companies like Lyft have been able to circumvent numerous kinds of scrutiny and avoid being meticulously policed. There have been multiple reported instances of sexual harassment and sexual assault committed by Lyft drivers unto their passengers. The risk of being harmed while in a Lyft is very real, and you should be prepared to deal with an aggressive Lyft driver if something happens. If you are a victim of assault and battery, you should strive to take legal action against the driver and against Lyft. Our law group in Los Angeles, Normandie Law Firm, has helped dozens of victims of Lyft sexual assault receive the compensation they deserve. Clients will usually call us with questions about filing these types of lawsuits and how much they can earn, some examples of which include:
- How much is a Lyft sexual assault case worth?
- How much can a victim of sexual harassment receive from Lyft?
- A Lyft sexual assault and battery case can be worth how much money?
Sexual Assault Information
Sexual assault is the unwanted or unwarranted advances and actions carried out by a perpetrator onto a victim; the actions must be sexual in nature or aim towards a sexual end in order for the assault and battery to be defined as such. Assault itself is the intentional act of causing another person to feel fear that he is about to be harmed; it does not require the physical aspect, but once there is physical harm, it is considered battery. There is no specific lawsuit that you can file for sexual assault.
Rape and similar actions would count as aggravated assault and sexual assault, while inappropriate touching may merely constitute sexual harassment. If you suffered a rape by a Lyft driver or were touched in a way that made you feel scared or uncomfortable, you should reach out to an experienced attorney for more assistance.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$54 Million
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$870,000
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Problems with Lyft
Lyft, like other rideshare apps, requires that its drivers meet certain parameters before being hired. They must have valid insurance and be able to pass a background check; this background check, however, is not nearly as thorough as it could be. It does not reveal information further than seven years in the past; there could very well be red flags that should prevent the driver from being hired, but Lyft will often forgo the warning signs so it can have another contractor and increase its profits.
There has been some dissent among people who claim that Lyft and other rideshare apps initially targeted those who would be unable to drive home; the physically impaired, whether by alcohol or other substances, could have safe trips back to their houses. However, willingly entering a vehicle with a stranger while you are inebriated can lead to dangerous consequences, and the majority of sexual assaults reported by Lyft passengers have been while the passenger was intoxicated. There have also been reports of Lyft drivers who have dropped customers off at their homes only to return at a later time to commit sexual assault.
Lyft has also been known to not adequately punish its drivers. They have taken people off their apps and blocked them from using the service, but there has been evidence showing that it would only be temporary. These drivers have been able to use other services after being locked out of Lyft.
As of right now, there are no features on the app that would potentially create a safer atmosphere for riders. Some have called for systems that filter riders and drivers, such as only allowing female passengers be picked up by female drivers. Others have merely made it a point to always travel in groups and try not to be alone with strangers, especially in such compromising situations as alone in an unfamiliar vehicle in a different part of town.
Injuries from Sexual Assault
Almost no sexual assault case will result in you being left unscathed. The damages could be severe, especially if the perpetrator were particularly violent.
The potential injuries you can get from sexual assault may prevent you from being able to go to work or live a normal life. You could be beaten and severely harmed during the attack. It is not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to receive broken bones, facial wounds, lacerations, bruises, genital damage, sprains, and more.
Additionally, there may be extensive psychological damage. Victims of sexual assault may require therapy after suffering such a traumatic ordeal; they could suffer from various mental problems and have trouble readjusting to a normal life. Fear is a common injury that can cripple a person and prevent her from entering vehicles with people with whom she is unfamiliar.
The different types of damages can dictate the amount of compensation you receive from a lawsuit.
Legal Information
In choosing to pursue a civil claim, you will be seeking monetary compensation for your damages. A criminal case would require a larger burden of proof and has jail time as a potential punishment option; because of its absence, you do not need to show total and absolute proof, but merely negligence. You also have a two year deadline to file a claim.
The settlement value of your case will be determined by the amount of damages you have received. If your injuries prevent you from going to work for an extended period of time and affect your daily life and routine, you could very well earn more than the average value of a Lyft assault case. For example, if you were only sexually harassed but never physically harmed, you would not receive nearly as much as if you were sexually assaulted and groped. The case would be worth more if you were physically harmed.
Of course, the average case value for a Lyft sexual assault case is usually skewed by high settlement amounts.
Reviews from Real Clients
After my assault during a Lyft ride, I contacted Normandie Law Firm for help. They went the extra mile and did everything possible to ensure that I was awarded the best settlement available.
(Juan M. Lyft Driver – Assault)
My experience with Normandie Law Firm was great from start to finish. They handled my Lyft sexual assault claim effectively and were able to secure a great settlement. Thank you so much!
(Stephan T – Passenger Sexual Assault)
I called Normandie just a few weeks after the Lyft sexual assault incident. Reaching for help was a hard step for me, but I knew that I had to fight to get justice. The experts here at Normandie Law Firm handled my lawsuit amazingly and got me a great settlement.
(Juanita G – Victim of Sexual Assault)
Without Normandie Law Firm backing me up, I really don’t think that I would have been able to win my Lyft sexual assault claim. They handled things amazingly and were able to quickly get me a fair recovery. Thanks!
(Candice T.)
Lyft Sexual Assault Settlement Amounts
Averages can be tricky; if there are a few million dollar cases, they can pull the average of a case type up by a lot of money. The median values are usually much more indicative of what you are likely to receive. Fortunately, sexual assault and battery lawsuits have been shown to yield large compensation amounts for victims. Patients of medical professionals, inmates in prison, workers at corporations, and others have all settled cases upwards of $1,000,000.
Different damages dictate the value of a claim. For example, if you were hospitalized for some time and suffered intense emotional scarring, you would be able to receive compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering. You could also pursue punitive damages, which are meant to punish the defendant and force him to pay more compensation. These could drastically increase the value of your case.
The value of a Lyft rape case is over $1,000,000 if you have adequate evidence and proof. The more egregious the act and the more responsibility on Lyft, the more valuable the case. Your lawsuit could be worth more than $5,000,000 if Lyft had gross hiring errors or if the company could have prevented the act in some way.
However, it should be noted that these cases all were won with the assistance of an accomplished and skilled attorney. You should not try to pursue these kinds of damages on your own.
Second Opinion
Often, clients call us asking about the average value of a Lyft sexual assault case because they are curious if the current offer they have is more or less than the regular settlement amount. They are usually already represented by attorneys, but unfortunately, the majority of lawyers do not deeply care for their clients; their goal is to move through as many cases as possible in a fast time period so they can maximize their profits.
We are willing to give you a second opinion on your case. If we believe you are being misrepresented by your current lawyer, we will gladly tell you and inform you of the best route forward so you can be helped by a firm that cares for you.
Normandie: Here for You
Our team of attorneys at Normandie Law Firm promises to do everything we can to bring you the maximum compensation you deserve. You should not be coldly represented by a selfish attorney. Our lawyers are empathetic and care about your wellbeing more than your compensation – we want to make sure you are safe and healthy, and if you have any troubles at all, we are always available to take your call. Our aggressive lawyers are willing to work around the clock to bring you the compensation you deserve from Lyft or the responsible driver. We will go to court if necessary to win your case.
Call our law firm today to schedule a free legal consultation with an expert lawyer. You can learn more about sexual assault cases and how much they can be valued at. You will also learn more about our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will not have to pay any out of pocket expenses for our services. We only get paid if we win your case, and the money will come out of the settlement we bring you. If we lose, you owe us nothing whatsoever.
Contact us today to get learn more about how much a sexual assault lawsuit against Lyft can bring you.
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