What Should I Do If I Am Sexually Assaulted in a Ridesharing Vehicle in Florida?
When you enter an Uber or a Lyft, you have the fair and reasonable expectation that your health and safety will be protected. The last thing you should have to worry about is an attempted assault by a driver or another passenger. Sadly, it does happen. According to data cited in a lawsuit reported on by National Public Radio (NPR), there more than 1,000 sexual assault were reported in Uber vehicles alone in the U.S. in 2022. Here, our Miami sexual battery lawyer highlights five steps to take if you were sexually assaulted in a ridesharing vehicle in South Florida.
- Get Yourself Any Necessary Medical Care
Sexual assault is a crime. It is also a terrible violation of the rights and bodily autonomy of the victim. If you were subject to sexual misconduct in an Uber or a Lyft in Florida, your well-being is the top priority. Please seek medical attention as soon as possible—even if you do not have visible injuries, professional support is available. Medical professionals can provide necessary treatments, screen for infections, and offer emergency contraception if needed. They can also collect forensic evidence through a sexual assault examination. Mental health support is also available.
- Report the Incident to Law Enforcement
When you feel ready, consider contacting the police to report the assault. Reporting the incident can initiate an investigation and help prevent the assailant from harming others. Provide as much detail as you can about the driver, vehicle, and what happened. If you do not feel safe and comfortable calling the police, you can reach out to a Florida sexual assault victims’ right lawyer first.
- Notify the Ridesharing Company
If you were sexually assaulted in an Uber or a Lyft, you should notify the ridesharing company that an incident happened—especially if a driver committed the offense. You do not have to give all of the information at this time. Simply provide notice. You can take the time to gather your thoughts and get professional legal representation.
- Write Down What You Know About What Happen
While it is still fresh in your mind, you should write down an account of what happened. A wide range of details—such as the date, time, location, driver’s name or description, any conversations or actions that remember—can be relevant to your case. There may be both a criminal charge against the offender and a civil claim against the offender and/or the ridesharing company.
- Get Professional Legal Representation
You do not have to take on the criminal justice process all alone. The ridesharing company—whether Uber or Lyft—should have provided you with a safe trip done by a well-screened driver. They need to be held accountable. You may be entitled to financial compensation through a civil claim. A lawyer can help.
Contact Our Miami Sexual Assault Attorney for Victims Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami sexual assault lawyer for victims is compassionate, experienced, and dedicated to justice. If you or your loved one was the victim of a sexual battery in a ridesharing vehicle, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Our firm represents sexual assault victims in civil claims throughout South Florida.
Source:
npr.org/2023/10/11/1205135476/sexual-assault-victims-suing-uber-notch-a-legal-victory-in-long-battle
