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Lyft has reached a settlement with a Dallas-area woman who was sexually assaulted by one of its drivers in 2021, The Texas Lawbook reported per The Dallas Morning News.
The plaintiff, identified as “Jane Doe,” filed a lawsuit against the rideshare company after the incident. The settlement was finalized last week, just days before a jury trial was set to commence on May 5 in Dallas County Court-at-Law.
According to court records, on the evening of June 5, 2021, Doe and two friends used Lyft for a ride home. After dropping off the other passengers, driver Hamidreza Farahbakhshsadeh diverted from the route and took Doe to a secluded location, where he assaulted her at gunpoint. Doe managed to escape and contacted 911. Farahbakhshsadeh was arrested and, in January 2025, convicted of aggravated sexual assault, receiving a 12-year prison sentence.
The lawsuit alleged that Lyft had received multiple complaints from other female passengers about Farahbakhshsadeh’s conduct, including serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Despite these warnings, the company did not take adequate measures to address the issue. Lyft maintained that, as Farahbakhshsadeh was an independent contractor, it was not liable for his actions.
A plaintiff’s attorney stated, “While my client and I are pleased about the settlement in this important case, I am concerned that this sort of criminal behavior by rideshare drivers is not an isolated thing. Women everywhere who use these companies for a ride need to be aware of the dangers. And the companies need to do more to make sure their riders are safe. My hope is that this kind of outcome will provide an incentive for the companies to do things differently.”
Lyft has not commented on the settlement.
This case is part of a broader pattern of litigation against Lyft. Between 2017 and 2019, Lyft reported 4,158 incidents of sexual assault on its platform, including 360 reports of rape . Numerous lawsuits have been filed by survivors alleging that Lyft failed to implement adequate safety measures and did not respond appropriately to complaints.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault by a Lyft driver, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Visit our comprehensive Lyft Sexual Assault Lawsuit Guide to learn more about your options and how to seek justice.
