Chicagoans rely on Uber every day for airport runs, nights out, or just avoiding the hassle of parking downtown. But behind the convenience, Uber has a long history of putting profits over passenger safety. While riders assume the company will protect them in the event of an accident or assault, Uber has spent millions lobbying lawmakers to limit its liability when things go wrong.
Uber presents itself as a tech platform not a transportation company precisely so it can avoid legal responsibility for what happens on its rides. In statehouses across the country, Uber has backed tort reform measures that would shield the company from lawsuits when passengers are hurt. These laws are designed to reduce corporate accountability and make it harder for victims to recover damages.
In plain terms: Uber wants the benefits of running a massive transportation network without accepting the responsibility that comes with it. If you’re injured, their goal is to leave you fighting with insurance companies or individual drivers while they keep their hands clean.
Even more alarming is Uber’s record on sexual assault. Thousands of riders predominantly women have reported being harassed, assaulted, or worse by Uber drivers. Uber’s own safety reports admit the scale of the crisis, yet the company continues to downplay its role in protecting passengers. Survivors often face a complicated, dismissive process when seeking accountability, while Uber focuses on protecting its brand.
No rider should have to wonder whether getting into an Uber means risking their safety. And no corporation should be allowed to lobby away its duty to protect the very people it profits from.
Uber’s safety crisis goes beyond accidents. In its own safety reports, Uber disclosed that nearly 6,000 sexual assaults were reported between 2017 and 2018 in the U.S. alone. More recently, Uber admitted that over 3,800 sexual assaults occurred in 2019 and 2020 including 20 reported rapes every single month.
These numbers are staggering, and they represent real survivors whose lives have been changed forever. Yet Uber continues to position itself as a passive bystander rather than a corporation responsible for passenger safety. Survivors are often left to navigate a maze of corporate red tape while Uber quietly focuses on damage control and lobbying to limit lawsuits.
No rider should have to wonder whether stepping into an Uber means risking their safety. And no corporation should be allowed to lobby away its duty to protect the very people it profits from.
If Uber won’t take responsibility, you still have options:
Uber may have lobbyists and corporate lawyers, but victims have rights. At LoVerde Law, we stand with those harmed by Uber’s negligence, whether through accidents caused by unsafe drivers or the devastating trauma of sexual assault. We fight to make sure survivors and injured passengers are not silenced by corporate greed.
If you’ve been injured or assaulted while using Uber, don’t let the company’s tactics discourage you. Contact LoVerde Law for a confidential, free consultation. We’ll focus on holding Uber accountable so you can focus on healing.
