Uber Technologies Inc. commenced its second federal jury trial in North Carolina on April 14, 2026, to address allegations of sexual assault involving one of its drivers. This proceeding is a critical component of a broader legal challenge facing the company, following an $8.5 million verdict delivered against Uber in a similar Arizona-based case last month. The trial is part of a series of bellwether cases intended to resolve hundreds of claims consolidated in multidistrict litigation.
The plaintiff in the North Carolina case alleges that Uber’s negligence in driver screening and its failure to implement adequate safety protocols led to an assault during a 2022 trip. The legal team representing the plaintiff argued in opening statements that Uber possessed the technological means to monitor suspicious driver behavior but failed to act on data that indicated deviations from the intended route. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, citing physical and emotional distress.
Uber’s defense strategy continues to focus on its status as a technology platform rather than a direct employer. Lead counsel for Uber stated that the driver in question had undergone and passed all requisite background checks, which included screenings for criminal history and driving records. The company maintains that it cannot be held vicariously liable for the intentional criminal acts of independent contractors. Furthermore, Uber highlighted its ongoing safety initiatives, including the 2025 rollout of enhanced biometric verification for drivers and real-time trip monitoring.
The company’s Chief Legal Officer, Tony West, has previously defended Uber’s safety record, noting that the company has spent over $500 million on safety-related technology and personnel since 2023. According to Uber’s most recent safety report, the company facilitated over 9 billion trips globally in the previous fiscal year. While the report indicated that 99.9% of trips ended without any safety incident, the volume of litigation remains a significant legal headwind.
This trial is being closely watched by legal experts as it may set a precedent for the valuation of settlements in the remaining cases within the multidistrict litigation framework. U.S. District Judge Rosalyn Richter is presiding over the North Carolina proceedings, which are expected to include testimony from Uber’s internal safety investigators and experts in ride-hailing security protocols. The outcome will likely influence the company’s approach to future safety mandates and its legal reserves for pending litigation.
Uber reported a net income of $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, but the company has consistently flagged legal and regulatory challenges as primary risk factors in its SEC filings. The North Carolina trial is scheduled to continue for approximately three weeks, with a verdict expected by early May.