California woman sues Uber alleging driver left her stranded before sexual assault

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A California woman is suing San Francisco-based Uber, alleging the company was negligent after she was left alone by a driver and later sexually assaulted.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the 23-year-old woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, called an Uber around 10 p.m. back in May 2025 to get home safely from a concert. After vomiting in the vehicle, the driver allegedly forced her out in a desolate area without her phone or a way to call for help.

Jane Doe’s attorneys say the incident highlights a broader issue with Uber’s policies and marketing practices, particularly toward passengers who have been drinking.

“It was a horrible thing that changed her life,” said Sarvenaz (Nazy) Fahimi, a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP. “This never would have occurred had she not gotten into that Uber and the company handled the situation differently.”

According to the complaint, Doe was approached by a man and a woman who offered her a ride home. Without her phone or any other option, she reluctantly accepted. However, instead of taking her home, Doe said she was taken to an apartment where she was sexually assaulted at knifepoint. She escaped the next morning through a window while her attacker was asleep.

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“This never would have occurred had she not gotten into that Uber and the company handled the situation differently,” said Nazy Fahimi of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP.

The lawsuit argues that Uber profits from and targets intoxicated passengers, citing the company’s clean-up fee policy and surge charges during late-night hours, and marketing campaigns like “Decide to Ride,” which promotes ride-sharing as a safe option for those who have been drinking.

“Uber advertises safety, especially for passengers who have been drinking,” said attorney Regina Wang. “Yet it appears drivers are not required to ensure passengers reach their final destination.”

Uber responded to the lawsuit in a statement to ABC7 News:

“What this individual experienced is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with them. While we cannot comment on pending litigation, we are committed to the safety and well-being of everyone who uses the Uber platform.”

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Uber’s most recent U.S. Safety Report shows more than 2,700 sexual assaults were reported on the platform between 2021 and 2022, a 44% decline since it first started tracking in 2017. While most cases involve drivers and passengers directly, Doe’s attorneys argue the company is still responsible for what happened.

“Uber has a duty to safely transport its passengers,” Wang said. “They should be doing more to ensure their drivers are doing that.”

The lawsuit alleges that the victim’s mother contacted Uber after the incident but was told the driver had not violated any policies. She was directed to generic sexual assault support resources.

The Sacramento Police Department confirm they are investigating the case but have not released suspect information.

Last month, Uber launched a “Women Preference” feature, allowing female drivers and passengers to opt into rides with other women.