Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Litigation: MDL and State Court Landscape

A disturbing trend has shadowed the rapid growth of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft: thousands of allegations of sexual assault by drivers. This has led to an explosion of litigation, culminating in a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) and numerous parallel state court actions. This white paper outlines the scope of the claims, the status of the MDL, state-level strategies, and opportunities for law firms and litigation funders. We conclude with how Blue Sky Legal can support firms through performance-based plaintiff acquisition.

• Uber’s own safety reports cite nearly 6,000 incidents of sexual assault in 2017–2018, with similar reports for 2019–2020.
• Lyft has disclosed about 5,000 complaints annually.
• Allegations include rape, groping, kidnapping, and other assaults.
• Plaintiffs allege Uber and Lyft failed in screening, training, oversight, and response to complaints.
• Many cases stem from systemic issues, not isolated incidents.

• Centralized in the Northern District of California under Judge Charles R. Breyer.
• Over 2,000 cases consolidated, with thousands of additional plaintiffs expected.
• Claims include negligence, product liability, breach of contract, and failure to warn.
• Product liability theory treats the app as a dangerous consumer product.
• Breach of contract includes allegations related to the “Safe Rides Fee.”
• The Ninth Circuit denied Uber’s efforts to enforce click-wrap non-consolidation clauses in March 2025.
• First bellwether trials expected in December 2025.

• Dozens of Uber sexual assault cases are proceeding in California JCCP 5188.
• Other significant venues include Texas, New York, and Illinois.
• Lyft cases have not been centralized into an MDL but are active in many state courts.
• Plaintiffs often sue both the company and the driver to preserve state jurisdiction.
• States vary on key doctrines: common carrier liability, punitive damages caps, and consumer protection laws.
• California and New York offer plaintiff-friendly environments.

Federal MDL Pros:

• Shared discovery
• Coordinated litigation
• Economies of scale
• Potential global settlement

Federal MDL Cons:

• Slower timeline
• Shared control with lead counsel
• Standardized settlement tiers may cap outlier case value

State Court Pros:

• More strategic control
• Faster local dockets
• Favorable local laws and juries

State Court Cons:

• Fewer shared resources
• Risk of isolation or aggressive defense tactics

• Uber and Lyft could face billions in liability.
• Settlement estimates range from $10,000 to $500,000+ per claim, with exceptional cases potentially exceeding $1 million.
• Public sentiment and media attention continue to drive awareness and new filings.
• Advocacy groups, regulators, and policymakers are pushing for reform.

• Product liability and common carrier theories are gaining traction.
• Coordinated strategies between MDL and state court plaintiffs.
• Litigation driving safety changes (e.g., audio recording, PIN verification).
• Increasing pressure on insurance carriers and platform responsibility.
• Legislative attention may drive broader reforms.

Blue Sky Legal is already helping law firms acquire Uber and Lyft sexual assault plaintiffs at a performance-based cost of $3,600 to $4,800, depending on the complexity of the criteria. We deliver signed retainers at a targeted price range, helping law firms enter or scale into this litigation with predictable, high-quality case acquisition.

Whether your strategy is MDL, state court, or both, we can align targeting and screening to your needs. Our campaigns are compliance-ready, high-performing, and built with transparency. For litigation funders and law firms looking to participate in a landmark mass tort, we offer the volume and vetting needed to build value from day one.

Contact us to learn more: https://blueskylegal.com/contact-us/

References:

• https://www.torhoermanlaw.com/uber-sexual-assault-lawsuit/
• https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/breyer-charles-r-crb/ubermdl/
• https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-12/9th-circuit-uber-sex-assault-lawsuits
• https://helpingsurvivors.org/rideshare-sexual-assault/uber-lawsuit/
• https://ntrial.com/pressroom/uber-lyft-sexual-assault-litigation-heating-up/
• https://www.law360.com/cases/651de86f2b16b602f7e98bcc/dockets