Can you keep a rideshare assault lawsuit confidential?

June 1, 2025 | By Greenslade Cronk LLP
Can you keep a rideshare assault lawsuit confidential?

Seeking justice can feel scary when you worry about your story going public. You deserve privacy while pursuing a civil case against rideshare companies. Fortunately, you can often protect your identity and details through legal agreements and court processes.

How confidential settlements work

When your case resolves outside court, both sides negotiate a settlement. You can request a confidentiality provision. That means you and the company agree not to share settlement terms. In most cases, the final payment and specifics remain private. That confidentiality gives survivors control over sensitive details.

What happens if you file in court?

Once you file a lawsuit, public records include your name and allegations. Courts allow limited redaction in rare instances. You might ask to seal specific exhibits or documents. Judges may weigh public interest against your need for privacy. Still, complete anonymity is hard to achieve when your case reaches trial.

Can your identity stay private?

Often, parties prefer private resolution to avoid negative publicity. If the rideshare company fears reputational harm, they may agree to stronger confidentiality terms. Your legal team can draft agreements that cover press statements, online confidentiality, and financial terms. That helps both sides avoid details leaking to media or social networks.

What limitations should you expect?

Some information might still come out. Judges, insurers, or legal staff may access details. Confidentiality agreements cannot stop mandatory reporting to authorities. You may need to disclose certain information in future related proceedings. You should understand these limits before agreeing.

Protecting your story’s privacy

Press and online posts can distort sensitive topics. You can draft non-disclosure terms that forbid both sides from giving interviews. You can also include confidentiality regarding settlement existence. That minimizes guesswork or speculation in media outlets.

You can take steps to protect your privacy while holding rideshare platforms accountable. Confidential settlements offer powerful safeguards. Document redactions and sealing motions provide limited protection in court.