California’s New Rideshare Accident Law (2026): What SB 623 Means for Uber and Lyft Crash Victims
- Tom Feher, Esq.
From Tom Feher, Esq.
“Senate Bill 623 sounded alarming when Uber first pushed it, but the version that became law in June 2026 kept the protections that matter most. You can still sue after a rideshare crash, and you can still hire us on contingency with no fee unless we win. What did change is the medical-lien system, and that makes documenting your treatment correctly more important than ever. We read these new rules closely so an Uber or Lyft crash never costs you the recovery you are owed.”
Thomas Feher, Esq. · Founding Attorney, Feher Law APC · 50+ jury trials to verdict · $150M+ recovered · Super Lawyers 2022-2026
On June 25, 2026, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 623, a new California rideshare accident law that reshapes how Uber and Lyft crash claims work, while preserving your right to sue and to hire a lawyer on contingency. The law grew out of a deal between Uber and the Consumer Attorneys of California that pulled two competing ballot measures, each backed by more than $75 million, off the November ballot. For crash victims, the headline is reassuring: Uber’s proposed cap on attorney fees was dropped. Feher Law has recovered results like the $4.4 million verdict in Catherine White v. Koocherian for California crash victims, and SB 623 does not change our ability to fight for that kind of result.
Key Takeaways
- Signed June 25, 2026: Senate Bill 623 applies only to rideshare (Uber, Lyft) crashes, not to all California car accidents.
- Your right to sue is preserved: the law did not cap attorney contingency fees, so you can still hire a lawyer with no upfront cost.
- $1 million coverage still applies once a driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger.
- Medical liens change: recovery for lien-based medical costs is now limited, liens cannot be sold, and attorneys cannot refer clients to providers they profit from.
- Feher Law has recovered results like a $4.4 million verdict for a California crash victim. We handle every rideshare case on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win.
Injured in an Uber or Lyft crash?
Get a free case review and find out how SB 623 affects your claim. Call (310) 340-1112 – Free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
What Senate Bill 623 Changed for Rideshare Crash Victims
The table below summarizes what stayed the same and what changed under the new California rideshare law. The most important takeaway: your right to sue and to hire a lawyer at no upfront cost is intact.
| Issue | Before SB 623 | Under SB 623 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Right to sue Uber or Lyft | Preserved | Preserved – unchanged by SB 623 |
| Attorney contingency fees | No cap | No cap – Uber’s proposed fee limit was dropped |
| $1M coverage on active trips | Applies | Still applies during accepted rides and rides with a passenger |
| Medical costs via lien-based providers | Recoverable as billed | Recovery now limited; medical liens can no longer be sold |
| Attorney medical referrals | Allowed | Barred where the attorney has a financial tie to the provider |
| Driver background checks | One-time | Annual checks required; more offenses disqualify drivers |
| Scope | N/A | Applies to ride-hailing crashes only, not all California crashes |
What Senate Bill 623 Actually Does
Senate Bill 623 is a California law, effective 2026, that sets new rules specifically for rideshare (ride-hailing) accident claims. It applies only to crashes involving companies like Uber and Lyft, not to ordinary car accidents on California roads. The law came out of a compromise: Uber had qualified a ballot measure to cap attorney fees in crash cases statewide, and the Consumer Attorneys of California had qualified a measure to expand Uber’s liability. Rather than spend a combined $150 million-plus fighting on the November ballot, both sides agreed to SB 623. The result narrows the fight to rideshare crashes and trades away the most extreme proposals from each side.
You Can Still Sue Uber or Lyft and Hire a Lawyer at No Upfront Cost
SB 623 does not cap attorney contingency fees, and it does not take away your right to sue after a rideshare crash. This was the single biggest concern for accident victims, and it did not happen. Uber’s original ballot measure would have limited how much of a medical recovery an attorney could be paid, which critics warned would make it uneconomical for lawyers to take many crash cases, effectively pricing injured people out of legal help. That provision was dropped in the compromise. You can still hire a California rideshare accident lawyer on contingency, meaning you pay nothing up front and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. Under California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, you generally have two years from the crash to file.
Talk to a California rideshare accident attorney
Feher Law has recovered over $100 million for injured Californians. Call (310) 340-1112 – Free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
The Medical Lien Change: What It Means for Your Recovery
The most significant change in SB 623 involves medical liens. The law limits how much a plaintiff can recover for medical costs billed through lien-based providers, which are doctors and facilities that treat crash victims without upfront payment in exchange for a lien on the eventual settlement. It also bars the sale of medical liens and prohibits attorneys from referring clients to medical providers with whom the attorney has a financial tie. For most honest cases these changes simply add transparency. But they do make it more important to work with a firm that documents medical treatment carefully and has no hidden financial arrangements with providers.
Why This Makes Choosing the Right Lawyer More Important
Because the rules around medical costs are now stricter, the way your treatment is documented and billed can directly affect what you recover. In our practice, we build the medical record properly from the start and refer clients to care based on their medical needs, not on any financial relationship. That approach protects the value of your claim under the new law. If you were treated on a lien after a rideshare crash, an attorney can explain how SB 623 affects your specific case.
New Safety Rules for Rideshare Drivers
SB 623 strengthens driver safety requirements for Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies. The law requires annual criminal background checks for drivers, rather than a single check at signup, and it expands the list of criminal offenses that disqualify someone from driving for a rideshare company. These provisions are aimed at reducing the risk of dangerous drivers staying on the platform. For victims, stronger safety rules can also matter to a claim: a company that fails to follow the required screening may face added exposure when a driver with a disqualifying record causes harm.
You pay nothing unless we win
Our attorneys work on contingency, with no upfront fees. Call (310) 340-1112 – Free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
How Much a California Rideshare Accident Claim Is Worth
The value of a California rideshare accident claim depends on your injuries, who was at fault, and which insurance coverage applies, and SB 623 does not change those core drivers. Once a rideshare driver has accepted a trip or has a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, which is what funds most serious-injury claims. Minor injuries may resolve in the tens of thousands, while serious injuries during an active trip can reach the $1 million policy or more when additional defendants or policies apply.
Estimate Your Potential Recovery
For a rough starting point, our personal injury settlement calculator factors in injury type, treatment, and lost income. For a deeper explanation of how the three insurance phases work, see our guide on rideshare accidents and what victims need to know. A free case review remains the most accurate way to understand what your specific claim may be worth.
What to Expect When You Work With Feher Law
- Free Case Evaluation: We review how your rideshare crash happened, your injuries, and which Uber or Lyft insurance phase applies, at no cost and with no obligation.
- Case Investigation: We secure the in-app trip data that establishes coverage, gather the police report and medical records, and identify every liable party and policy.
- Filing Your Claim: We present a formal demand to the rideshare company and its insurer, and file suit within the two-year deadline if a fair resolution is not offered.
- Negotiation and Mediation: We handle the insurers and counter their low early offers, using the medical record built correctly under the new SB 623 rules to support full value.
- Resolution: Most cases settle, but we prepare every case for trial. You receive your compensation at the end, and our fee comes only from the recovery – you pay nothing unless we win.
Why California Rideshare Accident Clients Choose Feher Law
Thomas Feher, Esq. founded Feher Law APC to take on exactly these cases: injured people up against Uber, Lyft, and their insurers. With more than 50 jury trials to verdict and over $100 million recovered for California clients, including results like the $4.4 million verdict in Catherine White v. Koocherian, our firm has the experience and willingness to try a case, which is what forces rideshare insurers to pay full value. From offices in Torrance and Huntington Beach, we serve clients throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County. We handle every rideshare accident case on contingency, so you pay nothing unless Feher Law wins for you. Because we focus on California cases, we track changes like SB 623 closely and apply them to protect your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Senate Bill 623 preserves your right to sue after a rideshare crash. Under California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file. The law changed some rules around medical costs and driver safety, but it did not take away your right to bring a claim or to recover for your injuries.
No. Uber’s original ballot measure would have capped attorney contingency fees, but that provision was dropped in the compromise. You can still hire a California rideshare accident lawyer on contingency, meaning you pay nothing up front and only pay a fee if you recover. This was the biggest win for crash victims in the deal.
It limits how much you can recover for medical costs billed through lien-based providers, bars the sale of medical liens, and prohibits attorneys from referring clients to providers they have a financial tie to. In practice, this makes careful medical documentation more important. A firm with no hidden provider relationships protects the value of your claim under the new rules.
It depends on your injuries, fault, and coverage. Once a driver has accepted a trip or has a passenger, Uber and Lyft carry up to $1 million in liability coverage. Minor injuries may settle in the tens of thousands, while serious injuries during an active trip can reach the $1 million policy or more. Our settlement calculator offers a rough estimate.
Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 623 on June 25, 2026. It resolved competing ballot initiatives from Uber and the Consumer Attorneys of California, each backed by more than $75 million, and applies specifically to ride-hailing crashes rather than all California car accidents.
They can. SB 623 requires annual criminal background checks and expands the offenses that disqualify rideshare drivers. If a company allowed a driver with a disqualifying record to keep driving and that driver injured you, the company may face additional liability. An attorney can investigate whether the required screening was followed in your case.
Yes, and arguably it matters more now. The medical-cost and lien rules are stricter, and how your treatment is documented directly affects your recovery. An experienced California rideshare accident lawyer knows how to build the record correctly under SB 623 and typically recovers far more than an unrepresented claimant, even after fees. The consultation is free.
Ready to talk to a California rideshare accident lawyer?
Free, confidential consultations with no upfront fees. Call (310) 340-1112 – Free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Last reviewed by Thomas Feher, Esq. – July 2026
