A proposed California ballot measure backed by Uber is being circulated for the November 2026 election. At Dordick Law Corporation, we are closely monitoring this initiative. Although it is being presented as consumer protection reform, the measure could significantly change how auto accident and rideshare injury cases are handled across the state, who has access to justice, and the financial viability of multiple cases.
The proposal would:
- Cap contingency attorney fees in car accident cases.
- Restrict how medical expenses are calculated and recovered.
- Prohibit certain arrangements that allow injured individuals to obtain medical treatment while their case is pending.
The Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) has also addressed how limits on contingency fees and related restrictions could affect injured Californians’ access to justice.
Why the Fee Cap Matters
Contingency representation allows injured individuals to hire experienced trial counsel without paying upfront. Attorneys advance the costs of experts, discovery, and trial preparation and are paid only if they secure a recovery.
Imposing rigid fee limits could:
- Reduce the financial viability of complex injury cases.
- Limit access to experienced trial lawyers.
- Shift leverage toward insurers and large corporate defendants.
Corporate defendants are not subject to similar limits on their legal spending. The restrictions apply only to the injured party’s counsel, potentially altering the balance of power in litigation.
The Impact on Medical Recovery
The initiative would also restrict how medical expenses are calculated. Many injured individuals rely on lien or deferred payment arrangements to access treatment while their case proceeds. Limiting these mechanisms could increase financial strain and strengthen insurers’ negotiating positions.
Who Benefits?
Large corporations and insurance carriers are not subject to fee caps on their defense spending. They retain full access to legal teams and resources. The proposed restrictions apply only to the injured party’s side. That imbalance could alter settlement dynamics and tilt leverage toward corporate defendants, particularly in rideshare cases involving companies with substantial defense budgets.
What’s at Stake
If passed, the measure could narrow access to justice, increase financial burdens on injury victims, and make full compensation more difficult to obtain.
For attorneys, this proposal raises serious questions about the future of contingency practice in California. For injured Californians, it may determine whether experienced representation remains realistically accessible when it is needed most.
What Can Be Done
Engagement matters.
- Spread awareness among fellow attorneys and voters about the real impact the proposed fee cap could have on access to experienced legal counsel.
- Support outreach and advocacy efforts aimed at defeating the measure.
- Back alternative proposals that strengthen accountability for rideshare companies and protect the right to contract with counsel of choice.
From our offices in Downtown Los Angeles, Riverside, and Beverly Hills, we are closely following this initiative and evaluating its potential impact on injury victims across California. The implications extend well beyond fee structures; they go to the heart of access to justice.
