Uber Faces Arizona Sexual Assault Trial That Could Test Liability and Safety Claims
Uber is set to face trial this week in Phoenix, Arizona, in a lawsuit brought by an Oklahoma woman who says she was sexually assaulted by a driver she booked through the app. The case is expected to be the first major test of Uber’s legal strategy to limit liability for alleged assaults committed by drivers using its platform, as thousands of similar lawsuits move through U.S. courts.
The plaintiff, Jaylynn Dean, sued Uber in 2023, about a month after the alleged assault occurred in Arizona. In her complaint, Dean said Uber was aware of widespread reports of sexual assaults involving its drivers but failed to take basic steps to improve rider safety. Allegations over passenger safety have followed the company for years, drawing repeated media attention and scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers.
Uber is currently facing more than 3,000 lawsuits over similar claims that have been consolidated in U.S. federal court. Dean’s case is considered a “bellwether” trial, meaning its outcome could influence how the remaining cases are valued and whether the litigation is resolved through a broad settlement. Legal analysts say an adverse verdict could weigh on Uber’s balance sheet and further complicate its relationships with regulators and investors who closely monitor its safety record.
Uber has argued it should not be held responsible for criminal acts committed by drivers, emphasizing that drivers are independent contractors and that such conduct falls outside the scope of their duties. The company says its background checks, safety disclosures and in-app protections are sufficient, regardless of driver classification.
In a statement ahead of the trial, Uber said it takes every report of sexual assault seriously and continues to invest in technology aimed at preventing harm. “Safety is foundational at Uber, and our commitment to help protect people on the platform will never stop,” a company spokesperson said.
According to the lawsuit, Dean was intoxicated when she booked an Uber ride from her boyfriend’s home to her hotel. She alleges the driver asked harassing questions during the trip before stopping the car and raping her. Representatives for Dean declined to comment ahead of the trial.
Beyond the federal cases, Uber also faces more than 500 similar lawsuits in California state court. The company won the only trial to reach a verdict so far, when a California jury found Uber negligent in its safety measures but ruled that negligence was not a substantial factor in causing harm.
In recent years, Uber has sought to reposition itself as a safety-focused platform, publishing U.S. Safety Reports, introducing features such as in-app ride verification, audio and video recording, and anomaly detection, and working with survivor advocacy groups on driver training reforms. Rival Lyft is facing similar lawsuits, though without a coordinated federal case.
Uber unsuccessfully attempted to delay Dean’s trial, arguing that her attorneys tainted the jury pool through an advertising campaign. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who is overseeing the broader litigation and will preside over this case, denied the request, allowing the trial to proceed.
