The U.S. Department of Justice has taken Lyft to court, accusing the ride-hailing giant of discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including people who rely on service animals and mobility equipment such as foldable wheelchairs.

The lawsuit, filed Oct. 9, seeks $53 million in compensation for individuals who allegedly experienced discrimination and previously submitted complaints to Lyft or the Justice Department, according to a DOJ statement. The legal action puts the company's accessibility practices under intense scrutiny, raising questions about whether passengers with disabilities receive the same transportation opportunities as other riders.

Lyft, however, is pushing back against the allegations, saying it disagrees with the government's claims.

US Sues Lyft Over Alleged Violations of Federal Disability Law

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Lyft of violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The federal law prohibits private transportation companies and other businesses from discriminating against individuals because of their disabilities.

According to the Justice Department, Lyft and its drivers have repeatedly refused to transport passengers with disabilities. The government also alleges that the company failed to make reasonable adjustments to its policies and practices to prevent discriminatory treatment.

The allegations cover passengers traveling with service animals as well as those using mobility devices that can be folded and stored inside vehicles.

For affected riders, securing a trip should be as straightforward as opening an app and requesting a driver. However, the Justice Department alleges that some passengers have encountered barriers that turn an ordinary ride into an obstacle course.

DOJ Seeks $53 Million and Changes to Lyft's Policies

Beyond financial compensation, the government is seeking a court order requiring Lyft to end the alleged discriminatory practices and bring its operations into compliance with federal disability protections.

The requested remedies include changes to company policies, along with training for Lyft employees and drivers on their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The $53 million demand is intended to compensate individuals with disabilities who allegedly faced discrimination and filed complaints with either Lyft or the Justice Department.

If the government succeeds, the case could force the company to make substantial changes to how it handles accessibility complaints and ensures drivers accommodate passengers with disabilities.

Lyft Rejects the Allegations, Points to Existing Driver Policies

Lyft has strongly disputed the Justice Department's accusations, maintaining that it already has policies requiring drivers to accommodate passengers traveling with service animals or using foldable mobility devices.

In its response, the company said drivers who violate these requirements face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation from the platform.

Lyft also emphasized that it cooperated with the Justice Department throughout the government's review, challenging the allegations while highlighting its existing accessibility rules.

The company's position presents a sharp contrast with the government's account. While federal officials allege repeated refusals and inadequate policy adjustments, Lyft maintains that its rules require drivers to provide the necessary accommodations.

The lawsuit will now put those competing accounts before the court.

Lyft Lawsuit Follows Earlier Federal Case Against Uber

The legal action against Lyft comes after the U.S. government pursued a similar case against another major ride-hailing platform.

Last year, the Justice Department sued Uber, accusing the company of violating the same Americans with Disabilities Act provisions by discriminating against passengers with disabilities.

That lawsuit sought $125 million in compensation for individuals who allegedly experienced discrimination and had previously filed complaints with Uber or the Justice Department.

Uber rejected the allegations, saying it disagreed with the claims and remained committed to expanding accessibility and improving transportation experiences for passengers with disabilities.

The two cases place the ride-hailing industry under a growing legal spotlight. As app-based transportation becomes an increasingly important part of everyday life, federal authorities are emphasizing that convenience and technological innovation cannot come at the expense of accessibility.

For Lyft, the $53 million lawsuit represents more than a financial challenge. It puts the company's disability accommodation policies, driver accountability and commitment to equal access at the center of a federal legal battle.