California voters may soon face another major ballot fight involving Uber — and this time, the issue is not driver classification.Uber’s proposed ballot initiative could dramatically change how injured people recover compensation after a car accident and whether they can realistically hire an attorney to help them.

At Wilcoxen Callaham, LLP, we believe Californians deserve to understand what is actually at stake.

What Is Uber Trying to Change?

Uber is backing a proposed California ballot initiative for the November 2026 election called California Establish Personal Injury Lawyer Regulations Initiative (#25-0022). This would be a California constitutional amendment which would place new restrictions on personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents. 

According to reports, the initiative would:

  • Limit attorney contingency fees in many auto accident cases to 25%
  • Restrict how medical expenses can be recovered
  • Require injured victims to receive at least 75% of a settlement or verdict
  • Apply broadly to motor vehicle injury cases — not just Uber accidents 

Uber has publicly framed the proposal as a consumer protection measure designed to ensure accident victims keep more of their settlements. But many consumer advocates, attorneys, and medical providers argue the practical effect could be the exact opposite.

Why This Matters to Injury Victims

Serious injury cases are expensive to pursue. For example, medical records must be collected and reviewed, experts often need to be retained, and depositions must be taken. Accident reconstruction specialists, economists, and medical professionals may all become necessary — especially when catastrophic injuries are involved. Most personal injury attorneys advance those costs upfront and only recover fees if the case succeeds.

If contingency fees are significantly restricted, many attorneys may no longer be able to take complex or high-risk cases, particularly those involving:

  • Moderate damages
  • Disputed liability
  • Expensive medical treatment
  • Long litigation timelines

Critics of the measure argue that this could reduce access to justice for everyday Californians who cannot afford to pay attorneys hourly fees.  In practice, large corporations and insurance companies would still have teams of defense attorneys — while injured individuals could struggle to find representation at all.

The Medical Treatment Concern

Another major issue involves medical care after an accident. In many personal injury cases, medical providers agree to treat injured patients on a lien basis, meaning payment is deferred until the case resolves. This arrangement often allows injured people to receive treatment they otherwise could not afford. Opponents of Uber’s proposed ballot initiative warn that limiting recoverable medical expenses may discourage providers from accepting lien-based treatment, leaving injured victims with fewer options for care. 

That concern becomes even more significant in catastrophic injury cases involving:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal injuries
  • Multiple surgeries
  • Long-term rehabilitation
  • Chronic pain management

Why Uber Is Pushing This Now

Many observers believe Uber’s effort is tied to the company’s broader strategy regarding future liability exposure, including rideshare expansion and autonomous vehicle development.  This is not the first time Uber has used California’s ballot initiative system to reshape laws affecting its business model. In 2020, the company heavily funded Proposition 22, which allowed app-based drivers to remain independent contractors rather than employees. Now, critics argue the company is again attempting to rewrite the rules — this time affecting injured consumers and the civil justice system itself.

Could This Affect Ordinary Car Accident Cases?

Yes! One of the most important points for Californians to understand is that the proposed measure would likely extend beyond Uber-specific claims. Reports indicate the initiative could impact many motor vehicle personal injury cases throughout California. 

That means the changes could potentially affect:

  • Car accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Pedestrian injuries
  • Bicycle collisions
  • Truck accident claims
  • Rideshare cases

Even individuals who have never used Uber could feel the impact.

Our Perspective

At Wilcoxen Callaham, LLP, we believe injured people deserve meaningful access to the courts and the ability to obtain qualified legal representation after a serious accident. Ballot measures are often marketed with simple slogans. But legal reforms can carry consequences that are far more complicated than the advertisements suggest. California voters should carefully examine who benefits from any proposal that limits accountability after serious injuries occur.

Injured in a California Accident? Know Your Rights.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, rideshare collision, pedestrian accident, or other serious incident, it is important to understand your legal rights before speaking with insurance companies or accepting a settlement offer. The attorneys at Wilcoxen Callaham, LLP have decades of experience representing injured Californians and helping clients navigate complex personal injury claims.

Contact our office today at (916) 442-2777 for a free consultation to discuss your case and your options.