Pittsburgh Uber Sexual Assault Attorney

Personal Injury Lawyers / Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer / Pittsburgh Uber Accident Lawyer / Pittsburgh Uber Sexual Assault Attorney

Ride share companies like Lyft and Uber have transformed personal transportation. Across Pennsylvania, individuals can use them to get home safely after a night out, arrive at the airport on time, and for many other purposes. However, ride shares are not always safe, and some of these rides result in life-changing trauma after sexual assault.

At Munley Law, a Pittsburgh Uber accident lawyer can investigate your incident and hold the wrongdoer accountable for their actions. Working in tandem with local authorities, we can bring a civil case against the driver for your benefit and help you press criminal charges. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Pittsburgh Uber sexual assault attorney today.

Choose Munley Law to Put Fierce Legal Champions on Your Side

When you’ve been attacked after putting your trust in someone for a needed service, you may feel overwhelmed. Uncertainty, anger, and other emotions can make it difficult to know what to do next. Fortunately, you can sit down with an Uber assault attorney in Pittsburgh from Munley Law to discuss your options and learn how we work. All our personal injury attorneys are committed to your full well-being, financially, physically, and emotionally. We demonstrate this in the following ways:

• We listen to your circumstances with true compassion.

• We assess your situation and describe how the law can work for you.

• We offer honest, detailed, and thoughtful advice on how to proceed with your case.

• You work directly with an experienced and capable sexual assault attorney in Pittsburgh.

• We promise to work harder than any other firm to achieve the best possible outcome.

• You don’t pay our fees unless we obtain compensation for your damages.

• We prioritize your best interests to help you move forward after the assault.

• We keep you updated so you understand where your case stands.

Every client’s personal injury case is different, but those involving sexual assault require sensitive handling to both highlight the harm done and protect the claimant’s privacy and emotions. We strive to provide trauma-informed and assertive advocacy to bring the liable parties to justice on your behalf. When Uber bears blame as well as the driver, we also pursue the company.

Building a Powerful Sexual Assault Case Takes Experience and Time

Although your Uber sexual assault may have happened quickly, discovering the facts of your case and creating the narrative around it requires a strong background in the law and a thorough investigation. Pulling together this data can take several weeks, especially if we need to file legal requests to gather evidence such as video from dashcams or security cameras. While we work as fast as we can to solve your claim, we never sacrifice the quality or depth of our strategy.

While we negotiate to reach a settlement when possible, we always prepare your case for court so we can move forward when necessary. Fortunately, Uber no longer forces assault plaintiffs to use arbitration before filing a lawsuit, allowing us to attempt mediation or negotiation if we feel that is the best course. We can weigh the options of arbitration versus settling, without losing our ability to proceed directly to trial.

Our Pittsburgh Uber sexual assault attorneys will guide you through the lawsuit process, using powerful arguments to establish your side. We coordinate with experts in appropriate fields to boost your claim and persuade the court to see the truth of what happened to you. By standing as your legal champion, we protect your journey to both emotional and financial recovery.

How We Demonstrate Liability and Negligence in Your Uber Sexual Assault Case

When handling your personal injury case against the driver and Uber, we build your case to provide a preponderance of the evidence. This means we show how it is more likely than not that what you claimed happened actually occurred. To secure damages, we use our prepared materials to show the four elements of negligence, which are:

1. The Uber driver and company owed you a duty of care: The driver should have refrained from sexually assaulting you as a passenger. The company should have taken all necessary actions to prevent hiring a driver who would engage in this behavior or taken disciplinary action against a driver with a sexual assault history.

2. The driver or company breached their duty: Through their action or inaction, either the driver, Uber, or both parties failed to uphold their duty of care to keep you safe from assault.

3. The breach led directly to your harm: Either the driver’s actions or the company’s failure to prevent the incident directly contributed to the assault.

4. The defendant must pay your damages: You may have medical bills related to physical injuries, damage to personal property, or pain and suffering losses from the assault. The liable parties must compensate you for the harm they caused you.

Remember that we manage your personal injury lawsuit, which is a civil matter. Government officials, such as the Allegheny County District Attorney, will pursue criminal charges against the at-fault parties. However, that criminal trial does not provide financial relief for your damages, which is why we help you litigate your civil case.

We Focus on Seeking Full Compensation for All Your Damages

Along with potential emotional distress and property damage, you may suffer other conditions, such as broken bones, organ damage, or hand and wrist injuries. You may hesitate to take legal action after a sexual assault and simply want the memory to fade. Even so, it is important to account for all your damages and present a case for full compensation.

We can help you demand payment for losses such as:

• All medical costs, including ICU, ER, and surgical bills

• Follow-up visits with doctors and specialists

• Physical and mental health therapy

• Medications

• Travel expenses for treatment

• Lost income while you recover

• Lost earning capacity if you are substantially disabled

• Diminished quality of life

• Emotional distress and mental anguish

• Isolation from society

• Scarring and disfigurement

Your Pittsburgh Uber sexual assault lawyer will collaborate with medical experts to fully explain the extent of your injuries and the time you will need to recover. We can also bring in experts to testify about the emotional toll on your life, especially if you suffered severe or catastrophic injuries. Above all, we commit to obtaining the most compensation and financial acknowledgement of the harm you experienced.

Common Areas Where Uber Sexual Assault May Happen and What to Do Afterward

Because Uber drivers operate all across Pennsylvania in cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Allentown, sexual assault from these individuals can happen anywhere. You may call for a ride between the Pittsburgh International Airport and the Oakland neighborhood, or travel from home to the University of Pittsburgh. Perhaps you are a tourist who is using Uber to visit the museums near Carnegie Mellon University or enjoying a night out in the Strip District.

Wherever you are hurt, get to safety as soon as possible and contact the local authorities, such as the Pittsburgh Police, for assistance. Report what happened to law enforcement, sharing any photos or other details you have. You should also seek medical attention right away to document your injuries and collect potential evidence that supports your case.

Remember that you are never at fault for someone hurting you in this way. No one is ever to blame besides those who took action to harm you or failed to prevent the assault. At Munley Law, a sexual assault lawyer in Pittsburgh will take up the fight for you against all liable parties.

Sexual Assault in Rideshare Services Is Increasing Every Year

Assault of all kinds is increasing in the rideshare industry. While companies like Uber and Lyft claim they do everything they can to prevent it, the numbers do not lie. A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that most rideshare companies do not collect data on a widespread or regular basis, meaning the numbers we have are insufficient.

In its 2022 Uber US Safety Report, the company claims a decreasing trend for sexual assault reports since 2018. Moving from 5,981 reports for 2017-2018 to 2,717 for 2021-2022, they state a 44% reduction in reports. The company says this reflects their commitment to increased rider safety, but recently released internal documents indicate their efforts are actually more focused on reducing the company’s legal exposure.

Like any large business, Uber is dedicated to protecting their profits. They also have access to a large legal team, which could make you feel it is worthless to try to file suit against them. However, Munley Law is not afraid of standing up for you against these defendants and making their negligence public.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Sexual Assault

Why Should I Report My Uber Sexual Assault?

Many people who suffer sexual assault feel shame and are reluctant to speak up about what happened. It may take time, but you may find that reporting the incident is the first step to healing. It also makes it less likely that other riders will experience the same thing. By filing a report with the Uber app, law enforcement, and perhaps a local support group like PAAR, you are paving the way to establish your claim against the liable individuals. You create a timestamped record of the event and those involved, giving your personal injury lawyer a foundation for the rest of your case.

How Do I Report My Assault to Uber?

As soon as you feel able, open and log in to the Uber app. Submit your sexual assault report by tapping the Safety icon to report a problem during the trip. You can also report the problem after the trip is completed in the app or on the company website. Make a report if your driver made you feel unsafe in any way, especially if the incident included sexual assault.

How Do I Report My Uber Sexual Assault to the Police?

You can contact 911 during the Uber trip or immediately after if you experience sexual assault. Officers will respond to the scene or speak to you after you have left the vehicle. Explain what happened and ask for a medical evaluation. It is most helpful to contact the police as soon as you can after the assault, so the evidence and your memory are fresh. For additional guidance and support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline to discuss the event and speak with someone about your recovery.

What Should I Expect During My Sexual Assault Injury Case?

The criminal trial and personal injury lawsuit processes in Pittsburgh are very different, but they both rely on preparing a case and presenting it in the Allegheny County courts. As you meet with your Uber sexual assault lawyer, they will explain personal injury claims and what you can expect.

Your attorney will handle most of the details while you recover from the incident, although you may have to appear in court for some hearings or during the trial. You do not necessarily have to attend settlement negotiation meetings, and you do not have to sit across from those responsible for the assault. Your lawyer will work to settle your case quickly while also obtaining a favorable outcome.

Put Your Trust in the Pittsburgh Uber Sexual Assault Lawyers at Munley Law

Uber and its drivers owe you a duty of care to get you to your destination quickly and safely. When any person or company fails to do this and even contributes to your harm, you have the right to fight back against their wrongdoing. You can seek justice from criminal charges and compensation with a personal injury lawsuit, aided by the team at Munely Law.

Your experience may make you feel alone and unsure of how to react. We are ready to hold both Uber and the driver at fault responsible for their actions. Contact us to arrange a free case review at your convenience through our online form today.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

510 Third Avenue
2nd Floor,
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 534-5133