California Woman Sues Uber After Alleged Abandonment and Sexual Assault

Civil Lawsuit Filed in San Francisco

A California woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Uber, alleging the company bears partial responsibility for circumstances that left her vulnerable to a sexual assault. The woman, identified in court documents under the pseudonym Jane Doe, claims she was abandoned by her Uber driver and later attacked.

Night Out Turns Into Nightmare

According to the lawsuit, Doe had attended a concert in Sacramento on May 28 and used Uber to book a ride back to her home in Rosemont. During the ride, she became ill due to intoxication and vomited in the vehicle. The driver, instead of completing the trip, allegedly ejected her from the car and left her at an unsafe location in the Sacramento area, nearly eight miles from her destination, and without her phone.

Vulnerability and Assault

The suit states that Doe was left disoriented near a gas station parking lot, where she was approached by a man and woman who initially claimed they would help her. Instead of taking her home, the pair took her to an apartment where she was held captive. The man allegedly choked and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint. Doe managed to escape through a window the next morning while her attacker slept, and she sought help at a nearby school before being taken to a hospital and interviewed by authorities.

Conflict With Uber’s Safety Messaging

Doe’s attorneys argue that the driver’s decision directly contradicts Uber’s public image of prioritizing rider safety. The company has built its reputation around being a secure alternative to drunk driving, including partnerships with organizations promoting responsible behavior.

In a statement provided through her attorneys, Doe expressed the trauma she endured:
“I’ve never felt more vulnerable in my life, and it never would have happened if I didn’t get in that Uber. I hope no other woman has to feel how I felt — abandoned, scared and destroyed.”

Company Response and Reporting Issues

Following the incident, Doe’s mother reported the driver’s actions and the subsequent assault to Uber. However, the lawsuit claims the company failed to take meaningful action. Instead of escalating the matter, representatives allegedly responded with a generic email that included links to hotlines and reporting resources but no follow-up or investigation into the driver.

Gaps in Driver Policy

Doe’s attorneys highlight gaps in Uber’s policies, noting that drivers are allowed to cancel rides at any time, yet there appears to be no guidance on when and how such decisions should be made—especially when a passenger is vulnerable. They also noted that Uber drivers already have the option to charge passengers cleaning fees for incidents like vomiting, which could have been applied instead of abandoning the rider.

Ongoing Investigation

The lawsuit states that a criminal investigation into the assault is ongoing, though no arrests have been made. Meanwhile, the civil case seeks accountability from Uber for its role in placing Doe in a situation that exposed her to harm.