Lyft And Uber Will Pay Drivers' Legal Fees If They're Sued Under Texas Abortion Law

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/03/ [login to see] /lyft-and-uber-will-pay-drivers-legal-fees-if-theyre-sued-under-texas-abortion-la
Ride-hailing apps Lyft and Uber said they will cover all the legal fees of any of their drivers who are sued under Texas's restrictive new abortion law.

The law, which went into effect this week, bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. It lets private citizens sue anyone who helps someone obtain an abortion, including by providing a ride to a clinic. That's raised concerns that ride-hailing drivers could be sued simply for transporting passengers.

"Drivers are never responsible for monitoring where their riders go or why. Imagine being a driver and not knowing if you are breaking the law by giving someone a ride," Lyft said in a statement on Friday.

"Similarly, riders never have to justify, or even share, where they are going and why. Imagine being a pregnant woman trying to get to a healthcare appointment and not knowing if your driver will cancel on you for fear of breaking a law. Both are completely unacceptable."

The statement was signed by Lyft CEO Logan Green, President John Zimmer and General Counsel Kristin Sverchek.