Sexual assault cases involving Lyft drivers have been widely documented. Lyft’s own Safety Reports acknowledge thousands of nationwide incidents, including:

• Sexual touching
  
• Attempted or completed sexual assault
  
• Rape/penetration
  
• Kidnapping-type conduct
  
• Drivers refusing to stop
  
• Drivers modifying routes or canceling mid-ride to isolate victims
  

Victims may pursue claims against:

• The driver
  
• Lyft corporate
  
• Third parties who enabled the conduct
  

A. Legal Theories in Lyft Sexual Assault Cases

BLG builds assault cases using:

1. Negligent Hiring (CACI 426)

Lyft failed to properly screen a dangerous driver.

2. Negligent Retention

Lyft kept a driver on the platform despite:

• Prior complaints
  
• Safety flags
  
• Poor ratings
  
• Warning signs of misconduct
  

3. Negligent Supervision

Lyft failed to ensure safety after repeated incidents or warnings.

4. Negligent Failure to Warn

Lyft is liable if it failed to alert passengers to known risks.

5. Negligent Security

Lyft failed to adopt adequate safety measures such as:

• Background checks
  
• Monitoring suspicious driver behavior
  
• Responding to complaints
  
• Route surveillance and location monitoring
  

Assault victims may recover damages for:

• Medical care
  
• Therapy and counseling
  
• PTSD
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Future mental health care
  
• Lost wages
  
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Lyft’s presence has dramatically increased pedestrian and cyclist collisions. These injuries often occur when drivers:

• Make illegal U-turns
  
• Stop in crosswalks
  
• Pull into bike lanes
  
• Perform unsafe or sudden pickups
  
• Look down at GPS
  
• Drive distracted or fatigued
  
• Rush to accept incoming ride requests
  

Coverage for Pedestrians & Cyclists

Pedestrians hit by Lyft vehicles are covered under Lyft’s commercial insurance depending on the driver’s app status:

• Period 1: $50,000 / $100,000 / $30,000
  
• Period 2 & 3: $1,000,000 liability + $1,000,000 UM/UIM
  

Common Pedestrian Scenarios

• Hit in a crosswalk
  
• Struck while walking on sidewalk or driveway
  
• Injured during pickup/drop-off
  
• Cyclist hit in bike lane
  
• Door-opening (“dooring”) bike crashes
  
• Nighttime visibility collisions
  

These cases often result in:

• Fractures
  
• Spinal trauma
  
• Brain injuries
  
• Permanent disability
  
• Wrongful death
  

Lyft-related fatalities may occur through:

• High-speed collisions
  
• Drunk drivers
  
• Wrong-way drivers
  
• Pedestrian impacts
  
• Highway shoulder accidents
  
• Driver assaults or violent crimes
  
• Kidnapping-like scenarios
  
• Nighttime crashes with low visibility
  
• Unsafe pickup/drop-off zones
  

Who May File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Under California law (CCP § 377.60), eligible survivors include:

• Spouse
  
• Domestic partner
  
• Children
  
• Parents (if no children)
  
• Financial dependents
  

Damages in Lyft Wrongful Death Cases

Families may recover:

• Funeral/burial costs
  
• Loss of financial support
  
• Loss of household support
  
• Loss of love, companionship, society
  
• Loss of moral guidance
  
• Emotional suffering
  
• Survival action damages (medical bills, pre-death pain)
  

Wrongful death cases require immediate evidence preservation, especially app data, route logs, vehicle telematics, and driver background information.

Lyft has expanded into delivery services, using:

• Cars
  
• Motorcycles
  
• eBikes
  
• Scooters
  
• Pedal bikes
  

Delivery-driver accidents occur frequently due to:

• Time pressure
  
• Rushed stops
  
• Unsafe deliveries at apartment complexes
  
• Nighttime driving
  
• Improper visibility
  
• Illegal lane splitting (on bikes/motorcycles)
  
• Ignoring traffic devices to speed up deliveries
  
• Lack of training
  

Insurance for Delivery Accidents

Once a delivery is accepted:

• Lyft’s commercial policy activates
  
• $1,000,000 liability
  
• $1,000,000 UM/UIM
  
• Contingent collision
  

These injuries affect:

• Delivery drivers
  
• Pedestrians
  
• Bicyclists
  
• Vehicle occupants
  
• Residents accepting deliveries
  
• Apartment complex guests
  

Lyft cases rely on multiple legal theories depending on the incident.

1. Negligence — CACI 400 / 401

Driver breached duty of care.

2. Vicarious Liability

Lyft may still be responsible for the actions of its drivers.

3. Negligent Hiring / Supervision — CACI 426 / 427

Often applies in assault cases.

4. UM/UIM Claims

If another driver caused the crash.

5. Premises Liability

Pickup/drop-off locations with hazards.

6. Negligent Security

Lyft failed to protect passengers from foreseeable harm.

We gather:

• Trip records
  
• Driver identity verification
  
• GPS logs
  
• Speed data
  
• Pickup/drop-off location history
  
• Driver background checks
  
• Prior complaints
  
• Internal safety reports
  
• Dashcam footage
  
• 911 audio
  
• Police reports
  
• Security footage
  
• App communications
  

Lyft’s internal data is often the key to winning.

Victims may recover:

• Medical bills
  
• Lost wages
  
• Loss of earning capacity
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Therapy and psychiatric treatment
  
• PTSD and trauma care
  
• Scarring or disfigurement
  
• Permanent disability
  
• Wrongful death damages
  

Assault victims may recover additional emotional trauma damages.