On November 9, 2019, Lyssa Broomfield, originally from Los Gatos, was celebrating the start of a new chapter in her life in Downtown Los Angeles. Having recently begun fashion school and moved out on her own, it was an exciting time for her.
“It was my first time living on my own, moving out, moving to LA,” Broomfield recalled.
That night, she and her friends had been drinking heavily. By the time they reached the nightclub, she was highly intoxicated. After becoming separated from her friends, she decided to head home.
“That’s when I called an Uber. I opened the backdoor, and he said, ‘No, that’s okay. Just come in the front,’” Broomfield said. “From then on, it’s a blur. The one thing I remember the most is just being in some random parking lot.”
The Incident and Aftermath
According to Broomfield’s Uber trip details, she was picked up at 1 a.m. The police report she filed the next day states she was in the Uber for five and a half hours, until 6:30 a.m. During this time, Broomfield says she was “in and out of consciousness.”
After filing her report, police conducted a rape kit and asked her to text the driver to gather more information. When she texted, “I don’t really remember that night,” the driver responded, “Oh, I believe you.”
Despite her desire to press charges, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence. “In their eyes, it was just ‘he said, she said.’ I felt very hopeless when I heard that,” Broomfield said.
Medical records indicate Broomfield was “violently sexually assaulted,” resulting in severe injuries, including multiple herniated discs. These injuries required several surgeries and left her with chronic pain that continues to affect her daily life.
Civil Litigation Against Uber
Broomfield is among roughly 2,000 individuals suing Uber in state and federal courts, alleging the company failed to protect passengers from sexual abuse by its drivers. While some cases have received media attention, Broomfield highlighted delays that have significantly prolonged the legal process. She recently learned it could take nearly a decade to resolve her case.
“I need to find a way to survive now. I don’t have 10 years to wait. My body is degenerating every minute, day by day. It’s just getting worse,” she said.
Legal Challenges and Delays
Rachel Abrams, a lawyer representing other alleged Uber assault victims, noted that case delays have been compounded by procedural issues. In 2022, Uber requested the removal of all non-California cases from state court, causing significant delays. While some attorneys appealed, others refiled cases in federal court to expedite the process. However, Abrams described Uber’s approach as “obstructionist,” accusing the company of using every opportunity to delay proceedings.
“Uber, every turn, would get another delay. It’s clearly going to be an issue that we have to deal with throughout this litigation with them,” Abrams said.
Uber declined to comment directly on Broomfield’s case but stated that both plaintiffs’ attorneys and the court agreed to some extensions. In a statement, the company said, “Sexual assault is a horrific crime. We take every report of this nature very seriously, and we are deeply committed to the safety of all users on the Uber platform.”
Uber emphasized that such incidents are rare and highlighted safety features it has added, including an emergency button, “Live Help” support, and GPS tracking. The company also publishes safety reports on incidents involving its platform.
A Call for Awareness
Despite the ongoing litigation and delays, Broomfield has chosen to share her story in the hope of helping others. “Every single time, especially when it’s a woman, when I hear, ‘My Uber’s here!’ I pray to God that woman is safe,” she said.
The first trials for California cases related to Uber sexual assault allegations are scheduled to begin in May 2025.