Uber lost a second major jury case about passenger safety in 2024

In October 2024, a jury in San Francisco found Uber liable for failing to warn a passenger about a driver's prior assault history. This was the second time in two years that a jury ruled against Uber in a case involving driver violence against riders. The first case, decided in 2023, also resulted in a judgment against the company for not disclosing known safety risks to passengers.

These verdicts do not change how Uber operates today, but they establish a legal pattern: juries believe Uber had a responsibility to tell riders about drivers with histories of assault. The cases center on whether Uber knew about dangerous behavior and chose not to share that information with the people getting into those drivers' cars.

Understanding what these trials mean — and what they do not — helps you know what protections exist and what gaps remain in how Uber handles driver screening and passenger safety.

Key Takeaways

  • Two separate juries have found Uber liable for not warning passengers about drivers with prior assault records.
  • These verdicts do not automatically change Uber's current policies or create new legal duties overnight — they are court decisions, not regulatory orders.
  • Uber's background check process does screen for criminal history, but the trials suggest the company knew about specific incidents and did not disclose them to riders.
  • Riders have no way to see a driver's full history or any prior complaints before accepting a ride.
  • These cases may influence future lawsuits and regulatory pressure, but they do not create a new right for riders to access driver records.

What the 2023 and 2024 jury verdicts actually decided

In the 2023 case, a jury in California ruled that Uber was negligent for not warning a passenger about a driver who had a prior conviction for assault. The passenger was assaulted during the ride. The jury found that Uber knew about the driver's history and should have told the passenger or not allowed that driver to work.

The 2024 case followed a similar pattern. A San Francisco jury determined that Uber failed to warn a passenger about a driver's prior assault history, and that this failure contributed to harm. Again, the core finding was that Uber had information it did not share.

These are civil verdicts, not criminal convictions. They do not send anyone to jail or result in government penalties. They mean a jury decided Uber was legally responsible to the injured passenger and awarded money damages. The amounts vary by case and depend on what the jury believed the passenger's injuries were worth.

How Uber screens drivers today

Uber runs a background check on every driver before they can start working. The company checks state and federal criminal records, sex offender registries, and driving records. Drivers with certain convictions — including violent felonies and sexual offenses — are rejected during this screening.

However, background checks have limits. They catch convictions that resulted in a criminal record, but they do not catch every incident. Some assaults are resolved without a conviction. Some complaints to police never result in charges. Some incidents happen in other states or countries where records are harder to access.

Uber also has a system for riders to report safety concerns after a ride ends. If a rider reports an assault or threat, Uber can investigate and remove the driver. But this system only works if someone reports it, and it happens after the fact — not before the next passenger gets in the car.

What riders cannot see about drivers

When you request an Uber, you see the driver's name, photo, car details, and rating. You do not see the driver's full background check results. You do not see prior complaints from other passengers. You do not see whether the driver has been reported for aggressive behavior, threats, or assault — even if Uber investigated and found the report credible.

This is the gap the jury trials highlighted. Uber has information about drivers that it does not share with riders. The juries concluded that in at least two cases, Uber should have shared that information because it was material to a rider's safety decision.

You cannot request a different driver based on safety history because you have no way to know the history. You can cancel a ride after you see the driver assignment, but you would have no reason to do so unless something in the photo or name alarmed you — which would not reflect actual safety data.

The difference between a jury verdict and a policy change

A jury verdict is a court decision in one case. It applies to the specific passenger in that case and creates a legal precedent that future cases can reference. It does not automatically change how a company operates nationwide.

Uber could appeal these verdicts. It could argue the jury was wrong, or that the verdict should not explore to other situations. Even if Uber loses the appeal, the company is not required to change its policies unless a judge orders it to, or unless a regulator like a state attorney general uses the verdict as evidence to demand change.

That said, two jury losses in two years create pressure. They show that juries believe Uber has a duty to warn riders about known dangers. They make it more likely that future plaintiffs will win similar cases. They may prompt Uber to change practices voluntarily to reduce legal exposure, or they may prompt regulators to investigate Uber's screening and disclosure practices.

What could change because of these verdicts

The most direct outcome would be if Uber changes what it tells riders about drivers. The company could disclose more information about a driver's history, or it could refuse to hire drivers with certain types of prior incidents, even if those incidents did not result in a conviction.

Regulators could also act. State attorneys general or city transportation agencies could investigate Uber's background check process and demand that the company adopt stricter screening or disclosure rules. Some cities and states have already been pushing for stronger driver safety standards.

These verdicts also make it easier for future passengers to sue Uber if they are harmed by a driver. Lawyers can point to the jury findings and argue that Uber already knew it had a duty to warn riders. This could lead to more settlements or verdicts against the company, which in turn creates more financial incentive for Uber to change.

What you should know about your own safety on Uber

These trials do not mean Uber is unsafe or that most drivers are dangerous. Millions of rides happen every day without incident. But they do mean that Uber's current system has gaps, and you cannot rely on the company to have told you everything it knows about a driver.

You can take steps to protect yourself. Share your ride details with a friend or family member. Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong before or during a ride, you can cancel or ask to be let out. You can rate drivers honestly after a ride, and you can report safety concerns to Uber directly through the app.

You can also check a driver's rating before accepting the ride. A very low rating may signal problems, though a high rating does not may provide safety. If you see a driver with an unusually low rating or many negative comments about behavior, you can decline that ride and request another driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these jury verdicts mean Uber has to change how it hires drivers?

Not automatically. A jury verdict is a court decision in one case. Uber can appeal, and even if it loses, the company is not legally required to change its policies unless a judge orders it or a regulator demands it. However, the verdicts create pressure and make it more likely that future lawsuits will succeed, which gives Uber financial incentive to change.

Can I see a driver's background check or prior complaints before I get in the car?

No. Uber does not show riders the full results of a driver's background check or any complaints other passengers have made. You can see the driver's name, photo, rating, and car details. If you have concerns about a specific driver, you can decline the ride and request another one.

What should I do if I feel unsafe during an Uber ride?

You can ask the driver to pull over and let you out. You can also call 911 if you believe you are in when ready danger. After the ride, you can report the incident to Uber through the app and to local police if a crime occurred. Uber investigates safety reports and can remove drivers from the platform.

Does Uber check criminal records before hiring drivers?

Yes. Uber runs background checks that include state and federal criminal records, sex offender registries, and driving records. Drivers with certain convictions are rejected. However, background checks do not catch every incident — some assaults are resolved without a conviction, and some complaints never result in charges.

Could these verdicts lead to Uber showing riders more information about drivers?

It is possible. The jury findings suggest that riders should have access to information Uber already has about driver safety. Regulators could order Uber to disclose more, or Uber could choose to do so voluntarily to reduce legal risk. But no such change has been announced yet.