Active lawsuitSexual assault and exploitationMDL No. 3171
Lyft passenger sexual assault lawsuits
In February 2026, federal lawsuits brought by survivors of sexual assault and harassment by Lyft drivers were centralized before one federal judge. The lawsuits allege that Lyft knew of the risk and failed to take basic steps to protect passengers. If this happened to you, it was not your fault. Our legal team reviews these cases with care and discretion, and you can ask for a free case evaluation. You decide how much to share.
share only what you’re comfortable with
This page summarizes what pending lawsuits allege, based on court records and official sources. Allegations in a lawsuit are not findings by a court. It's general information, not legal advice about your situation. Last reviewed October 12, 2026.
On this page
Support note: If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Confidential support is available any time from the National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (rainn.org).
At a glance
Lyft Passenger Sexual Assault Lawsuits
- Litigation
- In re: Lyft, Inc. Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation, MDL No. 3171
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- Judge
- Judge Rita F. Lin
- Centralized
- February 5, 2026
- Company named
- Lyft, Inc.
What the lawsuits allege
Plaintiffs allege they suffered sexual assault or harassment because Lyft failed to implement appropriate safety precautions. The lawsuits allege Lyft was aware of the risk of sexual assault but failed to:
- Screen and background-check drivers appropriately
- Train and supervise drivers adequately
- Respond to complaints and feedback about sexual misconduct by drivers
- Make safety design changes to the Lyft app
- Adopt standard safety measures, such as video and audio surveillance
The claims include negligence, misrepresentation, breach of contract, strict product liability and failure to warn. An MDL means many people have filed similar lawsuits. It does not mean any court has decided Lyft is responsible for any assault.
Who may be eligible
You may be eligible for a free case evaluation if you were sexually assaulted or sexually harassed by a driver during a ride you arranged through the Lyft app.
Our attorneys look at
- The date and place of the ride, and how it was booked
- What happened, in as much or as little detail as you're comfortable sharing at first
- Whether you told anyone, such as Lyft, the police, a doctor or a counselor (not required to ask for an evaluation)
What to gather for your free evaluation
You don't need everything on this list, and you can share it later. Gather what you can.
- The ride receipt or trip details from the Lyft app or your email
- The driver's name and vehicle as shown in the app, if you have them
- Any messages with the driver or with Lyft, including any report you made
- A police report number, if you made a report
- Medical, counseling or therapy records, if you sought care
- Notes of the date, time and what you remember, written whenever you're ready
Don't delete the Lyft app or your account before you've saved your ride history.
Where the litigation stands
As of October 2026
- LitigationMDL No. 3171
- CourtU.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- JudgeJudge Rita F. Lin
- CreatedFebruary 5, 2026
As of October 2026, lawsuits allege that Lyft was aware of the risk of sexual assault by its drivers but failed to screen and background-check drivers appropriately, train and supervise them adequately, respond to complaints about sexual misconduct, make safety design changes to the Lyft app, and adopt standard safety measures such as video and audio surveillance. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created the MDL on February 5, 2026, and it is in early pretrial proceedings before Judge Rita F. Lin in the Northern District of California. Related cases are coordinated in California state court in JCCP No. 5061, In re Lyft Rideshare Cases.
Status checked October 12, 2026. This MDL is listed as pending on the JPML report of pending MDLs dated October 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab). Court dockets change; each page shows the date it was last checked.
Questions
Will my name be made public?
You decide what to share with us, and we handle it as described in our Privacy Policy. In court, survivors in sexual assault cases sometimes ask to proceed under a pseudonym such as "Jane Doe." Our attorneys can explain how that works.
I never reported it to the police or to Lyft. Can I still ask?
Yes. Many survivors never report to police or to the company. A report can help, but it is not required to ask for a free case evaluation.
It happened a long time ago. Is it too late?
It might not be. Filing deadlines are set by state law and vary, and some states have special rules for sexual assault claims. Our attorneys can look at the deadline that applies to you.
What's the difference between the federal MDL and the California state cases?
Both coordinate similar lawsuits against Lyft. The federal MDL handles cases filed in or moved to federal court; the California coordinated proceeding handles cases in California state court. Our attorneys can explain which may apply to you.
Official sources
Each link opens the original record in a new tab.
- Judicial Panel on Multidistrict LitigationJPML Transfer Order, MDL No. 3171 (filed Feb. 5, 2026)jpml.uscourts.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Judicial Panel on Multidistrict LitigationJPML: Pending MDL Dockets by MDL Type, report date October 1, 2026jpml.uscourts.gov (opens in a new tab)
- RAINNRAINN: National Sexual Assault Hotlinerainn.org (opens in a new tab)
Assaulted or harassed by a Lyft driver?
Tell us what happened in your own words, and only what you're comfortable sharing. Our legal team reviews every request, and we will contact you about your free case evaluation.
a few sentences is enough
A free case evaluation does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not file a claim and does not pause any deadline. We represent a client only after we both sign a written agreement.
a few sentences is enough