Uber Rider Seeks $144M in Driver Assault Case

Jury to decide Uber's liability in 2023 rape case, first of nearly 3,000 consolidated federal lawsuits.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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A 19-year-old woman is seeking $144 million in damages from Uber after she was allegedly raped by her driver in 2023. The case is the first bellwether trial out of nearly 3,000 consolidated federal lawsuits filed against Uber over driver assaults. The woman's attorneys argue Uber's app was defectively designed, lacking safety features like the ability to request women drivers and automatic video recording.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing safety concerns and legal battles Uber faces over driver misconduct, especially assaults against women passengers. The outcome could set a precedent for the thousands of similar lawsuits consolidated before a federal judge in California.

The details

Jaylynn Dean claims she was raped by her Uber driver, Hassan Turay, in November 2023 after requesting a ride from a bar back to her hotel in Tempe, Arizona. Dean's attorneys argue Uber's app lacked key safety features that could have prevented the assault. Uber counters it conducted extensive background checks on Turay and that design flaws were not the cause of the incident.

  • The alleged assault occurred in November 2023.
  • The trial began in early February 2026 and is expected to conclude this week.

The players

Jaylynn Dean

A 19-year-old woman who is suing Uber for $144 million in damages after she was allegedly raped by her Uber driver in 2023.

Hassan Turay

The Uber driver accused of raping Jaylynn Dean in 2023, who claims the encounter was consensual.

Uber Technologies Inc.

The ride-sharing company being sued for negligence and defective product design in relation to the alleged assault.

Deborah Chang

The attorney representing Jaylynn Dean in the $144 million lawsuit against Uber.

Judge Charles Breyer

The federal judge overseeing the consolidated lawsuits against Uber, who transferred Dean's case to Arizona for trial.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The jury will continue deliberations on Wednesday to decide Uber's liability and the amount of damages, if any, to award to Jaylynn Dean.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing safety concerns and legal battles Uber faces over driver misconduct, especially assaults against women passengers. The outcome could set a precedent for the thousands of similar lawsuits consolidated before a federal judge in California.