Ridesharing is a billion-dollar industry, with leaders Uber and Lyft reporting revenue of $31 billion and over $4 billion, respectively, for last year. These companies earn money in what is a beneficial but also risky industry. Ridesharing is convenient, but it also puts customers at risk of various types of financial, legal, and even physical harm. Drivers face their own challenges, and many people have legal complaints against these major rideshare corporations.
If you believe Uber or Lyft violated the law or should otherwise be liable for losses you experienced, Traverse Legal PLC can assess your legal rights and options. We take on complex litigation against major businesses and corporate entities, and we can advise on how we might help you.
The law prohibits rideshare companies from discriminating against individuals based on certain protected factors. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits Uber and Lyft from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and requires the companies to provide reasonable accommodations for such individuals.
In recent years, the U.S. Justice Department sued Uber due to overcharging riders with disabilities instead of providing them additional time to get into the vehicles. Uber and the DOJ settled for millions to reimburse disabled riders for the wait fees they were charged.
This is only one example of how rideshare corporations can violate your civil rights. Our legal team can assess your right to file a lawsuit for such violations against Uber and Lyft.
Rideshare drivers often have many complaints about their compensation and other conduct of Uber and Lyft regarding drivers and their earnings. These contract drivers have filed many labor-related claims in various states against Uber about alleged wage theft and trying to update their legal status to employees from independent contractors.
Recently, a group of Uber drivers filed a claim accusing Uber of price-fixing rides, which affects the number of passengers a driver might have. Specifically, the drivers claim that Uber cannot both classify them as independent contractors and exert excessive control over what the drivers can charge.
These are only some examples of claims drivers might bring against Uber and Lyft. If you are a rideshare driver, discuss any concerns you have with our legal team.
To use the Uber or Lyft apps, you must enter a certain amount of personal information. These companies also collect the personal information of rideshare drivers. This means the companies should comply with all data usage and privacy laws and requirements regarding how they use, store, and share information from the apps.
Over the past decade, Uber has gotten into hot water for data breaches, wrongfully tracking drivers and customers using their personal information, and more. Rideshare companies do not always have airtight policies to protect the information of drivers and customers, and this can lead to lawsuits for privacy violations, seeking relief for the resulting harm from having your personal information mishandled.
Ridesharing has normalized the practice of getting into a car with a stranger, which puts everyone at greater risk. Despite the background checks that Uber and Lyft should conduct, some people begin driving passengers despite a concerning history.
Uber and Lyft regularly face lawsuits due to assault, battery, sexual assault, and more. One recent case claims that a class of women passengers suffered kidnapping, assault, sexual assault, sexual battery, false imprisonment, harassment, stalking, rape, and more by rideshare drivers.
Anyone with an assault or sexual assault claim against an Uber or Lyft driver should seek legal help to file claims against the corporations, as well.
The regulation of rideshare companies has always been a complex issue. Recently, drivers in the U.S. called for increased state and federal regulation of Uber and Lyft, including how the companies compensate drivers and handle driver accounts. Some drivers claim that Uber and Lyft unjustifiably deactivate their accounts after years of rideshare driving, leaving them without work.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also published a policy brief stating that independent contractor drivers require greater protection against unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive practices of Uber and Lyft. It is only a matter of time before such regulatory concerns result in additional lawsuits brought by drivers and other concerned entities.
Uber and Lyft are major corporations with deep pockets, legal teams, and other protections. These companies work to avoid liability whenever possible, so anyone with a lawsuit against these companies needs an experienced and aggressive legal advocate to handle their case. Rideshare companies fight hard against all types of legal claims, and drivers or passengers who suffer harm should always seek the right law firm to handle their lawsuits.
To discuss a possible claim against Uber or Lyft for various violations, consult with Traverse Legal PLC today. We do not back down to large businesses that cause our clients harm. Contact our office directly today.
Traverse Legal’s Attorneys are globally recognized for their experience and results in the legal areas of: Complex Litigation, Internet, Trademark, Copyright, Cybersquatting, Drone, Defamation, Trade Secret, Non-Compete, and Business Law.
