This article is for survivors of sexual assault or harassment by an Uber or Lyft driver, and for the people supporting them. What happened is not your fault. Beyond any criminal case, New Jersey civil law can hold the driver, and in some cases the company, financially responsible, and the deadline to act is longer than for most injury claims.

If you are in danger now, call 911. For confidential support, New Jersey's statewide sexual violence hotline is 1-800-601-7200, and the national RAINN hotline is 1-800-656-4673. Talking to a hotline doesn't commit you to reporting or to any legal step.

Criminal case vs. civil claim

A criminal prosecution is brought by the State and can lead to punishment of the driver. A civil claim is brought by the survivor and seeks compensation: counseling and medical costs, lost income, and the harm to your life. You can pursue a civil claim whether or not there's a criminal case, and a civil claim uses a lower standard of proof.

Who can be responsible

  • The driver, for the assault itself.
  • The rideshare company, for its own negligence. New Jersey requires rideshare companies to run approved criminal background checks, to check the national sex offender website, and to bar drivers convicted of sexual assault and other listed crimes (N.J.S.A. 39:5H-17, -20). The companies must also respond to complaints that a driver doesn't match the photo on the app (N.J.S.A. 39:5H-21). A company that ignored warning signs, such as earlier complaints, may face a negligent hiring or retention claim. Background checks and negligent hiring.
  • Others, such as a property owner whose security failures contributed to an assault after drop-off, depending on the facts.

Nationwide litigation against Uber

Thousands of sexual assault claims against Uber have been consolidated in federal multidistrict litigation. In February 2026, a federal jury in the first bellwether trial found Uber liable and awarded the passenger $8.5 million. Other trials have followed with differing results. These cases don't decide any individual claim, but they have brought out evidence about what the company knew about rider safety. Whether a New Jersey survivor's claim belongs in that litigation or in New Jersey court is a strategic question to decide with a lawyer.

The deadline is longer, but not unlimited

  • Survivors who were adults: a civil action for injury from sexual assault or another crime of a sexual nature must be filed within seven years from the date of reasonable discovery of the injury and its connection to the act (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2a(b)).
  • Survivors who were minors: generally until age 55, or within seven years of reasonable discovery, whichever is later (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2a(a)).

Claims against the company based on negligence may raise separate timing questions, and the companies' arbitration terms may matter too. How rideshare arbitration clauses work. Speaking with a lawyer early protects your options, and the conversation is confidential.

Preserving what you can

Only when you're ready, and only what feels manageable:

  • Keep the trip receipt and screenshots of the driver's profile, car and plate.
  • Save any messages or call logs with the driver.
  • If you reported the incident in the app, screenshot the report and any response.
  • A medical exam can document evidence even if you haven't decided what to do next. In New Jersey, a Sexual Assault Response Team, which includes a forensic nurse examiner and a confidential advocate, is available to survivors 13 and older who come forward within five days, through 911, a hospital, or a sexual violence program.

Privacy

New Jersey courts allow survivors to proceed using initials in appropriate cases, as in Y.H. v. T.C., the published Uber negligent hiring case, where the court used initials to protect confidentiality. Your lawyer can ask the court for that protection.

Staying safer in rideshares

After the death of Samantha Josephson, New Jersey passed Sami's Law, requiring rideshare cars to display identifying markers, a scannable code and credential placards with the driver's name, photo and plate (P.L. 2019, c. 128). Before getting in, match the plate, car and driver photo in your app, and ask the driver "Who are you here to pick up?" rather than offering your name.

We handle these cases with discretion. Request a confidential consultation.