A jury in North Carolina has found Uber responsible for the actions of a driver who inappropriately touched a passenger and made an unsettling comment. The jury awarded the passenger $5,000 in damages. This case is part of a larger series of sexual assault lawsuits against Uber across the U.S. Previously, Uber was ordered to pay $8.5 million in a similar case in Arizona, while a California jury found Uber not liable in another. Uber argues that the jury was misinformed about liability and plans to appeal. The judge ruled Uber as a “common carrier,” making it liable for driver misconduct under North Carolina law. This decision highlights ongoing concerns about Uber’s safety record and its responsibility for drivers’ actions, as they are considered independent contractors rather than employees.
QUESTION: How might the outcome of this case influence the way rideshare companies handle safety and accountability in the future?
Federal jury finds Uber liable for actions of driver who grabbed passenger’s inner thigh
