Disturbing Allegations: Lyft Faces Lawsuit Over Violent Sexual Assault By Their Driver Which Resulted in a Pregnancy

A woman from Leesburg, Florida, is taking legal action against ride-share giant Lyft, alleging that she was violently raped and impregnated by one of its drivers. Tabatha Means filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in California, recounting a harrowing incident in April 2019. 

According to Means, an unnamed Lyft driver followed her into her home after a ride, where she was subjected to repeated sexual assault while intoxicated. This traumatic experience led to her pregnancy and the subsequent birth of her son.

Lyft has refuted the claims, emphasizing that the alleged incident did not occur on their platform but rather involved a separate arrangement between the individuals. They assert their commitment to safety and have implemented policies and features to protect both drivers and riders.

Means, represented by attorney Rachel Abrams, disputes Lyft's response, asserting that the incident indeed occurred during a ride booked through the Lyft app. The lawsuit includes various charges such as general negligence, negligent hiring, breach of contract, and strict product liability. Means seeks unspecified damages and demands a jury trial.

Means recounts that during the Lyft ride, the driver made inappropriate comments, touched her inappropriately, and followed her into her home where the assault took place. Despite rejecting the driver's advances, Means was subjected to sexual violence. She later discovered her pregnancy, went through multiple health complications, and gave birth prematurely.

The complaint reveals that Means obtained a DNA sample from the Lyft driver, confirming a high probability of paternity. The lawsuit demands improvements in Lyft's safety measures, including fingerprint-based background checks and enhanced in-app tracking.

Lyft asserts its commitment to safety, detailing the screening process for driver-applicants, which includes criminal background checks provided by a third-party company. The accused driver is reportedly no longer active on the Lyft platform.

Means, addressing the struggles she faces daily, emphasizes the importance of survivors sharing their stories and encourages others to speak out against such incidents. She urges those who have experienced similar traumas to assert their voices and take action.

 

[SOURCE]