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A sexual assault can be a very difficult experience to physically and emotionally recover from. While you can and should report the assault to the police so they can investigate and possibly pursue criminal charges, you should also speak to a lawyer about filing a civil case against the person responsible for the assault. You deserve fair compensation for everything that happened to you, and our team will help you obtain it.
If you are sexually assaulted while riding in an Uber, call law enforcement and get help immediately. Since sexual assault is a very serious crime, the police may want to investigate thoroughly, and they might turn up evidence we can use in your civil case. Damages you may claim in your civil case may include economic damages for things like medical treatment and damaged personal belongings, in addition to non-economic injuries for things like pain, suffering, and distress. It is crucial that you report the assault quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it might be to find evidence to support your claims.
For a private, free evaluation of your case, contact our lawyers for victims of sexual assault at The Queenan Law Firm by calling (817) 476-1797.
What to Do if You Are Sexually Assaulted in an Uber in Plano
If you are sexually assaulted while taking an Uber ride, do your best to get away from the assailant and find help. Victims sometimes hesitate to fight back or resist because they do not want to be left alone on the side of the highway where they might be in more danger. Unfortunately, assailants know this and may use it against you to make you submit to their advances. Ultimately, get to safety as quickly as you can, however you feel is best in the moment.
After getting away from the assailant, go somewhere safe and call for help. If you have a cell phone, use it to call 911. If you do not have a phone or you lost it during the altercation with the Uber driver, find a phone quickly and make the call. Contact the police immediately and report the assault.
Get medical attention for any injuries. Depending on what happened during the assault, specially trained medical professionals may administer a rape kit. Do not wait to see a doctor, as evidence might be on or inside your body that must be collected quickly.
Finally, call a lawyer. We often think of sexual assault as a matter for criminal courts, but a lawyer can also help you get justice in civil court. Your injuries, damages, pain, and losses may warrant substantial financial compensation.
Possible Damages You May Claim in a Plano Case for Sexual Assault in an Uber
Damages in sexual assault cases may be significant. The legal system tends to recognize that sexual offenses often leave victims with deep psychological injuries in addition to physical ones, and your damages should reflect the magnitude of the situation. Talk to your attorney about your injuries, losses, and experiences so they can figure out what your claims are worth and what kind of compensation you may be entitled to.
Economic Damages
Economic damages typically consist of losses and injuries that can be proven with evidence of costs and expenses. One of the biggest factors in your economic damages will likely be medical treatment. Assault is, by its very nature, a violent crime. Victims are often badly hurt. Some people are severely injured and need immediate emergency medical care. Medical care is not cheap, and extensive care for severe injuries might be ridiculously expensive. These costs must be factored into your economic damages.
Our attorneys for victims of sexual assault in an Uber will also think about how your injuries and the overall trauma of the accident affect your ability to continue working. You might need some time away from your job to physically and mentally recover from what happened to you. You might lose income during the time you cannot go back to work, and your lost income can be added to your claims for economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic injuries may represent various losses, injuries, and experiences that cannot be established through evidence of costs. In some cases, non-economic injuries do not cost plaintiffs any money, but they may still warrant financial compensation.
First, we should consider your emotional and psychological suffering, distress, and trauma. Sexual assault is a terrible thing to go through, and many victims report living with memories of the assault for years to come, sometimes forever. These wounds often never fully heal, and the person who hurt you should be held responsible. Depending on the circumstances, your claims for non-economic damages might be very high.
How Long You Have to File a Civil Case for Sexual Abuse in an Uber in Plano
Your time to file a civil claim might be more limited than you think, depending on how old you were when the assault happened. It is important to meet with a lawyer and discuss your claims sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you might be time-barred from ever filing the case.
Assaulted as a Minor
Since children cannot hire lawyers and seek justice through the court system on their own, they tend to have a longer period of time in which to file their claims. According to Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045(a), people who were sexually assaulted while younger than 18 may have 30 years to file their claims. This limitation period does not begin on the day of the assault but rather on the day the cause of action accrues, which is the plaintiff’s 18th birthday. While 30 years is a very long time, you should avoid waiting that long to take action if possible. The longer you wait, the more likely that evidence will be lost.
Assaulted as an Adult
People who were assaulted in an Uber as an adult have a much shorter limitation period. According to § 16.0045(b), you may have 5 years from the date of the assault to file your civil case in court. Remember, your limitation period begins on the day of the assault, and you must move quickly and contact a lawyer. The sooner you can begin preparing your case, the more evidence you might gather, and the stronger your case may be.
Contact Our Plano Attorneys for Victims of Sexual Assault in an Uber Today
For a private, free evaluation of your case, contact our lawyers for victims of sexual assault at The Queenan Law Firm by calling (817) 476-1797.