Willford’s lawsuit names both Lyft and Halimov’s transportation company, Shanu Transportation, Inc., as defendants. She is accusing Lyft and Shanu of negligence, negligent supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and other claims such as civil fraud and false imprisonment. In addition, she alleges that Lyft violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act and is liable for defective product liability.
Willford claims that the assault has caused her ongoing emotional distress, including anxiety and a loss of personal safety. She also accuses Lyft of failing to address the broader issue of sexual assault on its platform, which she says is a systematic problem in all the locations where the company operates. Furthermore, Willford points to a pattern of identity theft and fake profiles used by unauthorized drivers on Lyft’s platform.
Lyft, based in San Francisco, has faced other sexual assault lawsuits in the past, including several in California in 2022 alleging inadequate background checks. The company is currently facing a lawsuit in California over a rape case, and a similar lawsuit was recently filed in Connecticut. Lyft has denied the allegations and emphasized that safety is a priority, stating that incidents of sexual assault are taken very seriously, with prompt investigations and cooperation with law enforcement.
