(Originally published by The Sacramento Bee on November 18, 2025.)

Uber wants to lock poor, injured plaintiffs out of the courthouse — and it’s asking California voters to help. Last month, Uber submitted a ballot initiative to the California Secretary of State that would cap attorneys’ fees in car accident cases. Uber claims these restrictions will “protect automobile accident victims from attorney self-dealing.” In reality, Uber’s ballot initiative won’t protect victims, it will muzzle them.

Today, if someone is injured in a car accident, they are apt to hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis. If they do, they won’t owe the lawyer a penny out-of-pocket, and the lawyer will also shoulder all the other costs of litigation.

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