It can be dangerous to get into cars with people you barely know, but we usually relax those standards if we are performing a transaction of some kind – such as entering a taxi or an Uber. Uber drivers are unique in that they are not classified as employees of a business, and as a result, the company does not police them as close as it could. Some Uber drivers have been allowed to pick up passengers even though they have a history of dangerous driving or even of assault. This places riders in danger, and in cases of assault and battery, can lead to severe harm. It is important that riders be aware of these risks and strive to defend themselves at all costs. In the event of an assault and battery by Uber driver, victims should take legal action sue Uber for the assault, as well as bring a claim against the perpetrator himself. If you were attacked by your Uber driver, contact our lawyers at Normandie Law Firm in Los Angeles to file a lawsuit.
Dangers of Uber
One of the most commonly brought up complaints against Uber is their relatively lacking background checks. The examinations only go back 7 years and have not prevented dangerous drivers from getting behind the wheel and accepting customers. There is virtually no screening process to drive for the company; there is no phone or in-person interview so character can be judged, and nearly anyone with a valid license and insurance coverage can drive.
As a result, some drivers are more dangerous than others. They may get involved in fights more often or be more threatening to passengers; there have been cases of assaults, stabbings, intentional car accidents, and more. In some cases, Uber drivers have even been found guilty of sexual assault.
The dangers of Uber are compounded given the fact that so many passengers are inebriated or intoxicated when hailing the rides. This can be a troublesome mix – someone under the influence is less capable of defending himself, leading to more powerless targets for assault and battery.
If the Uber driver physically assaulted you in any way, contact Normandie Law Firm to file a lawsuit.
Definition of Assault
Assault and battery have definitions that link them together. In recent times, they have begun to coexist as one tort, but legally, the two have a clear dividing line.
Assault is defined as an intentional act that causes someone else to become fearful that he is on the verge of suffering physical injury. This is an important note, because assault does not need physical contact in order to occur. Battery, on the other hand, does require physical contact and is often the completion of the assault. There may be threats made, for example, and an escalation of tension, which can be categorized as assault, but battery would not be applicable until someone is struck.
Acts of harm can cover a large array of torts of many degrees, and these degrees are usually the determining factor of the seriousness of the case and lawsuit. If the Uber driver slapped you or if the Uber driver punched you, for instance, you may not stand to gain nearly as much compensation as if the Uber driver stabbed you.
The degree and severity of your injuries will be the main factors used to determine the value of your claim.
Questions from Uber Assault Victims
Many of our clients have contacted us with concerns and questions after sustaining injuries from violent Uber drivers. We understand and empathize; it can be a very confusing and terrifying incident, and you may want to get as many answers as you can before you file a lawsuit against Uber for the assault. Some examples of the questions we have received include:
I Was Assaulted by My Uber Driver. What Do I Do?
- Get to a safe place so that you are free from harm.
- Call the police and provide them with information to identify the Uber driver.
- Contact Uber and file a complaint.
- Save screenshots of your trip and receipts of your purchased ride from Uber.
- Take photographs of your injuries.
- If possible, take pictures of the assailant and his vehicle (such as the make and model and license plate)
- Reach out to a lawyer who is experienced in Uber driver assault lawsuits.
My Uber Driver Attacked me. Can I Sue Him?
Yes, you can sue him and you can sue Uber if an Uber driver attacked you. The company has a duty to protect its customers by not placing them in harm’s way, and although Uber can claim that it had no idea that the driver would behave in such a way, the business is still responsible for the individual’s actions. You would not have been in the situation if Uber did not hire the driver and allow him to be linked to customers.
If the Uber operator assaults a passenger, the company can be considered partially negligent, especially in the hiring process, and should be held accountable.
Can I Sue Uber if an Uber Driver Assaulted Me?
Yes, you can sue Uber if you were a victim of assault. If an Uber driver sexually assaults a passenger or batters a passenger, the company can be held responsible. It may be wise to file a lawsuit against Uber because the victim’s insurance or estate may not be able to pay for the damages you accrued.
Restitution from a Lawsuit
If an Uber driver assaults a passenger, the company could have to pay for damages relating to the incident. You should not be expected to pay for expenses if an Uber driver is the root cause. With the help of a Los Angeles attorney with experience in Uber driver assault cases, you could earn the following types of coverage:
- Medical expenses (surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medication, future medical treatments)
- Lost wages (and future missed income from absent days due to injury, recovery, or medical procedures)
- Property damage (for anything you owned that was damaged or broken in the incident)
- Pain and suffering (emotional damages, PTSD, fear, anxiety, psychological trauma, and more)
- Punitive damages (handed out in ties of gross negligence or an intent to cause harm; many courts view these damages as excessive, though, and do not hand them out that often, so only a skilled lawyer will be able to win them for you)
For more help, get in touch with one of our Uber assault lawyers in Los Angeles.
Sample Verdicts
Uber tends to keep its settlements under wraps, and many parties sign non-disclosure agreements. When people ask us about the value of an assault case at Uber, we tell them that the value of a case is determined by the injuries sustained and how much of an impact they have on the career and daily life of a victim. There is no calculator into which you can input the damages and have a number get displayed.
However, you can look at other cases to understand how much assault lawsuits settle for, or how much the jury chooses to award victims. Bear in mind that every case is different and has unique circumstances that others may not. Even if you have the exact same situation as another individual, something so simple as your age may sway the jury or insurance agent one way.
A few examples of settlements from assault and battery cases include:
- $500,000 Settlement: A man who walked into an apartment building was assaulted by a woman. She had just had her purse stolen and reacted to the first person she met, throwing the plaintiff down the stairs. He received a fractured skull and lost hearing in one of his ears.
- $2,500,000 Settlement: A woman went to an apartment complex to visit her sister. While in the parking lot, two men approached her, forced her back into her vehicle, assaulted her, and raped her. There were no cameras on the property to show the extent of the damages or to identify the suspects. She sued the management company and the landlord for damages.
- $200,000 Settlement: Another parking lot situation resulted in an assault. A man had finished his business at a shopping center when he was assaulted by another man. The victim received a fractured orbital and injuries to his mouth and teeth.
- $460,000 Settlement: While in a hotel parking lot, a man was stabbed repeatedly. There was a longstanding account of crimes that happened in that particular lot, leading to a security presence. The guards were not present that night, however, and the victim suffered liver damage, diaphragm injuries, and more. He was left unable to return to his job due to his injuries.
If an Uber driver beats up a passenger or if an Uber driver attacks a passenger, there may be a sizeable settlement waiting. Call one of our expert lawyers today to take action.
Normandie’s Role
Our lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are empathetic and here to help victims of assault. We stand by our clients and strive to make you feel comfortable and keep you healthy while we handle your claim and pursue your deserved compensation. Our aggressive attorneys will not stop negotiating with Uber until we receive a satisfactory offer. If need be, we will take your case to court to win you a verdict in front of a judge and jury.
Call us today to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our qualified lawyers. Our consultations are confidential; none of your private details or information about your case will be released anywhere outside of our office. We encourage you to ask us anything you like and we’ll give you answers as best we can.
If you choose us to represent you, you’ll also receive our zero fee guarantee, which promises no commitment to payment from your personal expenses. We only get paid if we win, and the insurance company essentially covers your legal bills. If we lose, you don’t have to pay anything at all.
Get in touch with Normandie Law Firm to speak with an assault and battery lawyer for Uber driver assault and battery lawsuits.
More Information on Uber Accidents
What to Do After an Uber Accident
How to File an Accident Report with Uber
How to Increase the Settlement Offer of an Uber Accident Case
Uber & Lyft Auto Accident Attorneys — Everything You Need to Know About Uber/Lyft Lawsuits
