Uber Found Liable Over Driver Sexual Assault; Jury Awards $8.5 Million in Damages
The popular rideshare company, Uber, was just found liable in a lawsuit stemming from a driver’s sexual assault. On February 5, 2026, a federal jury in Phoenix ordered the company to pay $8.5 million to Jaylynn Dean, who said she was sexually assaulted by her Uber driver in November 2023.
The outcome of Dean’s lawsuit (which was the first of the bellwether trials to determine the value of claims for possible future settlements) is extremely significant because it could influence the thousands of similar lawsuits already filed against Uber. At Drazin and Warshaw, we’ve seen just how much Uber has tried to deny culpability, and consider this a huge win for future litigation.
Uber Passenger Recounts Sexual Assault
According to Dean, she was intoxicated when she ordered an Uber to pick her up from her boyfriend’s house and back to her hotel. During the ride, her Uber driver began to ask her harassing questions and then stopped the vehicle to sexually assault her. She was only 19 at the time.
In the lawsuit, Dean and her legal team alleged that Uber was aware of the wave of sexual assault committed by its drivers. Back in August 2025, the New York Post unsealed shocking court documents that revealed Uber receives a report of sexual misconduct every eight minutes. Despite receiving more than 400,000 reports, Uber has only disclosed about 12,000 to the public.
These lawsuits have all alleged that the sexual misconduct stemmed from Uber’s continual prioritization of profits over safety, ignoring warning signs and failing to properly screen drivers.
Federal Jury Finds Uber Liable Over Driver Sexual Assault
Uber has long skirted liability by classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The jury was asked to mull over several factors, including apparent agency, a legal theory that occurs when a business creates the impression that someone represents it. For example, someone driving for Uber. Essentially, the jury was asked to decide whether Uber’s branding and actions led Dean to believe that her driver was acting on the company’s behalf.
After three days of deliberations, the jury returned their verdict, ordering Uber to pay $8.5 million in compensatory damages to Dean. Dean’s legal team was originally seeking $24 million in compensatory damages and $120 million in punitive damages for the harm she experienced.
Because a fraction of the damages sought were awarded, Uber allegedly feels somewhat vindicated, with one of its spokespeople, stating, “This verdict affirms that Uber acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety.”
However, evidence introduced through internal documents has suggested otherwise. As our previous blog noted, Uber’s data scientists were aware of the numerous sexual misconduct reports Uber received and made recommendations to pair female passengers with same-sex drivers and implement mandatory video recording once a passenger entered the vehicle. In 2018, Uber created the Safety Risk Assessed Dispatch, which was supposed to flag potential acts of sexual assault by identifying clear patterns, such as late night or weekend pickups near bars. However, the automation technology was severely flawed. This combined with Uber’s marketing as a “safe” alternative to drunk driving, has created an impression of safety that doesn’t align with what’s alleged in these lawsuits.
While Uber is in the news right now, its competitor Lyft is facing similar lawsuits in both state and federal court. Our firm is keeping a watchful eye on these cases, as well, and will update our blog with outcomes as they become available.
UberHurtMe.com is Here to Help You Find Justice and Peace Following an Uber Sexual Assault
If you were sexually assaulted while riding in a Lyft or Uber, you are not alone in this fight. At Drazin and Warshaw, we understand how traumatic this experience is and are here to pursue maximum compensation and justice for the harm you’ve endured. We know the games Uber and companies like them use to diminish liability, which is why we created UberHurtMe.com to counteract their tactics. Our team is here for you. Call us today at 732-333-8141 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We are here to make your voice heard.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
