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A plaintiff in one of several lawsuits accusing Lyft Inc. of failing to protect riders from sexual assault by its drivers has asked a federal judicial panel to combine 17 similar lawsuits into one proceeding.
The motion, filed on October 6, asks that the cases be transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the same court where similar cases against Uber are being handled. The request was filed with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a group of federal judges that decides whether to consolidate related lawsuits filed in different districts across the country. The plaintiff argues that the Lyft lawsuits share overlapping factual and legal issues that justify handling them together in one court. As of now, the panel has not announced whether it will grant the request.
Centralizing the Lyft cases could make it easier for survivors to pursue justice by streamlining discovery, reducing duplicative rulings, and allowing coordinated hearings or test trials (known as bellwethers). The move would mirror what happened with the Uber litigation, which was consolidated last year. In that case, hundreds of survivors who say they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers had their lawsuits transferred to the Northern District of California before Judge Charles Breyer. That case, known as MDL 3084, continues to expand, with over 3,000 lawsuits. That litigation is expected to hold its first bellwether trial in early 2026.
The Uber litigation revealed troubling allegations that the company failed to conduct thorough background checks on drivers and ignored red flags about passenger safety. Attorneys in that case argue Uber prioritized rapid growth and profits over the safety of riders. Similar claims have been made in the Lyft cases, with plaintiffs asserting that the company had actual or constructive knowledge of assaults yet failed to take reasonable precautions. One attorney representing survivors described the problem as cultural, alleging that the company repeatedly put brand reputation ahead of public safety.
In July 2024, Lyft reached a separate settlement in a shareholder lawsuit that accused company officials of mishandling reports of sexual assaults. As part of that proposed settlement, Lyft agreed to safety reforms including enhancements to its “Alert 911 Silently” feature, expanded 24-hour access to human support, and mandatory ethics training for employees. Lyft has denied wrongdoing but said it remains committed to providing a safe environment for riders and drivers.
If the consolidation request is granted, the Lyft cases will likely be managed similarly to the Uber multidistrict litigation. That could allow plaintiffs to share evidence and witness testimony, making it harder for Lyft to argue that each case should be treated as an isolated incident. It would also set the stage for early test trials that could influence future settlement discussions.
For now, the panel has not issued a public decision on whether the Lyft cases will be consolidated. Orders are typically published on the panel’s website once finalized, and none has yet appeared. In the meantime, survivors continue to file new lawsuits across the country, alleging that Lyft failed to properly screen drivers, respond to complaints, or warn passengers about potential risks.
If the panel agrees to combine the cases, Lyft could soon face a wave of coordinated discovery similar to what Uber is experiencing in its ongoing litigation. The outcome could shape how rideshare companies are held accountable in the years to come.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault in a Lyft vehicle, you may have legal options. SurvivorsRights.com offers information on how to take action and connect with trauma-informed attorneys through our Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit Guide. To learn more about the related Uber cases, see our coverage of the Uber Sexual Assault First-Trial Verdict and the First Uber Assault Trial Appeal and Rape Shield Law.
You can also see if you qualify for a potential settlement by filling out the secure, confidential free case review form below.
