"Uber is funneling tens of millions into a California ballot initiative that could make it harder for riders, pedestrians, and drivers to sue for damages after car crashes.
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"Uber is funneling tens of millions into a California ballot initiative that could make it harder for riders, pedestrians, and drivers to sue for damages after car crashes.
The measure could also limit consumers’ ability to take car manufacturers to court over defective parts. It is part of a broader multistate liability reform campaign Uber is backing ahead of its $1.25 billion plan to unleash robotaxis on a massive scale.
The California proposal, dubbed the “Protecting Automobile Accident Victims from Attorney Self-Dealing Act,” is slated for the November midterm election. It would require crash victims to keep 75 percent of their total settlement awards, leaving lawyers and hospitals to split the remaining 25 percent.
Uber has reportedly spent more than $30 million backing the initiative, which would apply to all automobile crash settlements in the state, not just those involving rideshare companies.
Supporters say the measure would put more money in victims’ pockets. But critics warn it could have the opposite effect, making it harder for car crash victims to find legal representation.
Many lawyers agree to take on such lawsuits on the condition that they will be paid only if their client wins. The 25 percent cap would not cover litigation costs in many cases, according to the California-based Dolan Law Firm, which helped craft the state’s rideshare insurance laws.
“If there is no viable way to be reimbursed, no firm can afford to cover these costs,” the firm wrote in a December blog post. “If attorneys cannot afford to take cases, victims lose access to legal representation.”"
Uber Backs Bills to Make It Harder to Sue Them for Crashes
Uber is spending tens of millions on a California ballot measure that could make it harder for riders, pedestrians, and drivers to sue for damages after car crashes. It is part of a broader liability reform campaign the company is funding across the US.
(jacobin.com)
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