Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for Assault by a Driver? Texas Liability Laws Explained

At Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston personal injury attorneys represent victims of serious rideshare-related harm in Texas, including those who have experienced physical or sexual assault by Uber or Lyft drivers. These traumatic incidents raise urgent legal questions: Can you hold the driver accountable? What about the rideshare company? What legal options exist under Texas law?

Rideshare companies have fundamentally changed how we move through our cities, but they’ve also created new risks. Uber and Lyft have faced growing scrutiny for failing to prevent assaults and not adequately vetting or monitoring their drivers. For victims, understanding their rights is critical to pursuing justice and safety.

When a Rideshare Driver Commits Assault: Who’s Legally Responsible?

If a rideshare driver commits an act of assault—whether physical, sexual, or both—during or after a ride, they can be held personally liable for the harm they cause. However, because most drivers lack the resources to pay significant damages, victims often look to the companies that allowed them to drive in the first place: Uber or Lyft.

The central legal question is whether Uber or Lyft can be liable for the driver’s actions. To shield themselves from direct liability, these companies classify drivers as independent contractors, not employees. However, under certain circumstances, Texas courts may still allow victims to sue the rideshare company.

Understanding Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision in Texas

Even if a rideshare company isn’t directly responsible for an assault, it may be liable for negligence if it failed to act responsibly in vetting or managing the driver.

In Texas, victims may pursue claims based on:

• Negligent Hiring – if Uber or Lyft approved a driver with a known history of violence, complaints, or criminal convictions.
• Negligent Retention – if the company kept a driver on the platform despite receiving prior complaints.
• Negligent Supervision – if the company failed to investigate or take action when alerted to concerning behavior.

These cases often hinge on what the company knew—or should have known—and whether it took reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.

Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Policies: What Victims May Be Entitled To

Both Uber and Lyft carry $1 million liability insurance policies that may cover injuries caused by a driver during an active ride. However, these policies often come with strict conditions.

Coverage may depend on:

• Whether the driver was logged into the app.
• Whether the ride was in progress at the time of the incident.
• Whether the company can deny liability based on the nature of the assault.

Because of the legal complexity, victims need to have experienced legal counsel to navigate insurance claims, build evidence, and pursue all avenues of recovery.

How Hollingsworth Law Firm Supports Rideshare Assault Victims

At Hollingsworth Law Firm, we take rideshare assault cases extremely seriously. We understand the emotional trauma, legal confusion, and fear that follow such a profoundly personal violation. Our attorneys work discreetly and aggressively to investigate the facts, determine liability, and pursue full compensation for physical injuries, emotional harm, and long-term recovery.

If you’ve been assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver in Harris County, you are not alone, and you are not without options. Contact Hollingsworth Law Firm today at 713-637-4560 or online for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and fight for the justice you deserve.