Uber heads to 2nd driver sexual assault trial after $8.5M verdict
Uber signage on a vehicle at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California, US, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Uber is set to face a second federal jury trial over an alleged sexual assault by a driver, a pivotal case that could shape the outcome of thousands of similar lawsuits against the ride-hailing giant.
Dig deeper:
The federal jury trial in Charlotte, North Carolina, expected to run about three weeks, could signal whether a recent $8.5 million verdict against Uber in Arizona was an outlier or an indication of broader legal challenges, as the company confronts more than 3,300 მსგავსი cases consolidated in federal court.
Both lawsuits are considered "bellwether" cases—early test trials whose outcomes may help set benchmarks for valuing and resolving the remaining claims, potentially shaping any large-scale settlement.
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The anonymous plaintiff alleges that in March 2019, just before 2 a.m., her Uber driver grabbed her inner thigh as she arrived at her destination in Raleigh, North Carolina, and asked if he could "keep it with him," causing her to flee the vehicle.
Uber, which has faced ongoing scrutiny over rider safety, does not dispute that the incident occurred but argues in court filings that it operates as a technology platform, not a "common carrier" like a taxi service that has a legal duty to protect passengers under North Carolina law. The company also maintains it is not responsible for the actions of drivers, whom it classifies as independent contractors.
Whether drivers should be treated as employees or independent contractors—a distinction with significant legal consequences—has long been a contentious issue for Uber in the U.S. and internationally, with courts and policymakers yet to reach a clear consensus.
The North Carolina case will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who is based in San Francisco and is managing the broader litigation against the company.
What they're saying:
In a statement on Friday, an Uber spokesperson said the alleged incident was never reported to the company or to law enforcement and only became known after the plaintiff filed her lawsuit.
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"Sexual assault is a horrific crime that we take incredibly seriously. We remain focused on investing in the technology, policies, and partnerships that strengthen safety, help prevent harm, and support survivors," the spokesperson said.
The other side:
Attorneys representing the plaintiff did not respond to requests for comment.
The backstory:
In the first case to reach trial, an Oklahoma woman alleged that an Uber driver in Arizona harassed and raped her during a ride in 2023.
A jury in February determined that the driver acted as an agent of Uber, making the company liable for his conduct. The jury awarded the woman $8.5 million in compensatory damages but declined to grant punitive damages, despite her attorneys seeking more than $140 million. Uber has since asked Judge Charles Breyer, who oversaw that case, to overturn the verdict or order a new trial.
Separately, Uber is confronting more than 500 similar lawsuits in California state court. In the only state case to go to trial so far, a jury ruled in September that while Uber failed to implement adequate safety measures, its negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff’s harm.
The Source: Reuters contributed to this report. The information comes from a reported news article detailing ongoing federal litigation against Uber, including court filings, statements from the company, and accounts of the allegations presented in the lawsuits. This story was reported from Los Angeles.