Legal accuracy check
Florida Bar #520381 · D.C. Bar
First published · Last checked
What changed
The trial was part of In re Uber Rideshare Cases, JCCP No. 5188, the coordinated proceeding in San Francisco Superior Court before Judge Ethan P. Schulman. According to news reports, the jury was unanimous that Uber was negligent and split 8 to 3 on whether that negligence was a substantial factor.
What it means
A finding of negligence is not enough to win damages. A plaintiff must also prove the negligence was a substantial factor in causing the harm, and this jury found that it was not.
It was the last result before the 2026 federal bellwethers, in which juries found Uber liable. Uber said afterward that its “work to improve safety on our platform is never done” (Engadget).
Sources
Reports and news reporting
- AboutLawsuits.com, "Uber failed to protect passenger, not liable for sexual assault" (October 1, 2025) (news reporting) Accurate as of October 1, 2025.
- Engadget, "Uber found not guilty in first of many sexual assault lawsuits" (October 1, 2025) (news reporting) Accurate as of October 1, 2025.
- Bloomberg Law, "Uber defeats passenger sexual assault case in bellwether trial" (news reporting) Accurate as of September 30, 2025.
