Uber Challenges “Common Carrier” Classification Ahead of Next Sexual Assault Trial

Uber is pushing back against a tentative court ruling that could significantly expand its legal responsibility to passengers, arguing that it should not be classified as a “common carrier,” as litigation moves toward key bellwether trials, Law360.com reported.

The issue arrives at a critical moment for the company, following a series of mixed courtroom outcomes that are already shaping the trajectory of rideshare sexual assault litigation.

In the first federal bellwether trial within the MDL, a jury awarded $8.5 million to a plaintiff in February, a result that signaled that juries may be receptive to arguments that Uber bears responsibility under certain legal theories.

In October 2025, a separate California state court trial reached a more nuanced outcome, with juries finding Uber negligent in aspects of its operations but stopping short of holding the company liable for personal injury. Together, these results highlight the unsettled legal landscape, where questions of duty, control, and causation remain central to how these cases are decided.

Against this backdrop, Uber is now asking the court to reconsider a tentative ruling that would classify it as a common carrier, a designation that would impose a heightened duty of care similar to that required of traditional transportation providers such as taxis and buses.

Uber continues to argue that it operates as a technology platform connecting riders and drivers, rather than as a transportation company directly responsible for passenger safety. Plaintiffs counter that Uber’s control over driver onboarding, pricing, and platform rules reflects a level of oversight consistent with common carrier status.

The stakes are significant. If Uber is ultimately classified as a common carrier, plaintiffs may face a lower threshold in establishing liability, particularly in cases involving alleged failures to protect passenger safety. If the company succeeds in overturning the tentative ruling, it could reinforce its broader defense strategy and limit exposure across thousands of pending claims.

As additional bellwether trials approach, courts will continue to test these competing legal theories. The outcomes will likely influence not only future jury verdicts but also the direction of settlement discussions in one of the most closely watched areas of ongoing litigation. No confirmed trial date is set for the second Uber driver sexual assault trial.