Last updated: November 9, 2026
California's personal injury rules shifted on several fronts in 2026: auto insurance minimums doubled to 30/60/15, rideshare uninsured/underinsured coverage dropped to $60,000 per person, the "Move Over" law now covers every stopped vehicle with its hazards flashing, and delivery-truck crash cases keep getting more corporate and more complex. This guide walks through each trend, the deadlines that still decide injury claims, and the steps that protect your right to full compensation.
By Ben Marmont, Fairmont Law Firm
If you were hurt in a crash this year, the 2026 rulebook matters: SB 1107 doubled the minimum insurance every California driver must carry, SB 371 cut rideshare uninsured/underinsured coverage to $60,000 per person, and AB 390 expanded the Move Over law to any stopped vehicle displaying hazard lights. This guide explains what those changes mean for your claim, which filing deadlines still apply, and how to respond when a minimum-policy driver, a delivery corporation, or a negligent property owner causes your injuries. Whether you need a car accident lawyer near me or a truck accident attorney near me, we fight for victims across all 58 California counties on a ZERO fee until we win basis.
How Do California's New 30/60/15 Insurance Minimums Affect Your Claim?
For decades, California drivers carried very little insurance. The old limits of 15/30/5 were far too low and didn't cover the cost of modern medical care. That changed with Senate Bill 1107, the "Protect California Drivers Act," which took effect January 1, 2025 and raised the mandatory minimums to 30/60/15.
Every California driver must now carry more coverage than before.
What does 30/60/15 mean for you?
- $30,000 for bodily injury or death to one person.
- $60,000 for total bodily injury per accident.
- $15,000 for property damage.
This is a step in the right direction. However, serious accidents often cost much more. A single night in a hospital can exceed $30,000. If you are hit by someone with "minimum" coverage, it might not be enough.
Higher minimums help, but they don't cover catastrophic harm. If your damages exceed the at-fault driver's policy limits, we pursue every other available avenue, including umbrella policies, corporate defendants and your own underinsured motorist coverage. We help you navigate these insurance limits. We find every available dollar to cover your recovery. You shouldn't have to pay for someone else's mistake.
Who Pays After an Uber or Lyft Crash in 2026?
Rideshare accidents are complicated, and two new laws changed the money math in 2026. SB 371, effective January 1, 2026, keeps the rideshare companies' $1 million liability requirement in place but cuts the required uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to $60,000 per person ($300,000 per incident), a 94% drop that matters most when a hit-and-run or uninsured driver causes your injuries. SB 623, signed June 25, 2026, adds annual criminal background checks for rideshare drivers and, for accidents occurring on or after January 1, 2027, caps recoverable lien-based medical charges at the 70th percentile of FAIR Health billed charges for your area.
Liability depends on the "period" of the ride. Is the app on? Has the driver accepted a passenger? Are you currently in the car?
The insurance layers are like a puzzle. Uber and Lyft have massive policies, but they fight hard to keep their money. They might try to blame the driver’s personal insurance. The driver’s insurance will then blame the rideshare company.
You are stuck in the middle. We don't let that happen. We know how to cut through the red tape. We hold these billion-dollar companies accountable for your injuries.
Why Did California Expand Its "Move Over" Law in 2026?
Roadside workers and stranded drivers face deadly traffic every day. AB 390, which took effect January 1, 2026, expanded California's Move Over law under Vehicle Code § 21809: drivers approaching any stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard lights or warning devices such as cones or flares must move over a lane or, if that isn't safe, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed. A violation carries a base fine that grows to roughly $234 with state and county assessments, plus a point on your driving record.
The stakes are real. An AAA Foundation study identified 123 roadside assistance providers struck and killed by passing vehicles from 2015 to 2021; 89% of those crashes happened where speed limits were 55 mph or higher, and 63% occurred in darkness. Caltrans, the CHP and their safety partners highlighted the expanded law again during Crash Responder Safety Week in November 2026.
Violating this law often leads to devastating rear-end and roadside collisions. If a driver failed to move over or slow down and hit you while you were stopped on the shoulder, that statutory violation is powerful evidence of negligence. We use these violations to build a rock-solid case for you.
What Makes Amazon, FedEx and UPS Crash Cases Harder to Win?
You see them everywhere. FedEx, Amazon, and UPS trucks are on every street. These drivers are under intense pressure, with strict deadlines and heavy workloads, and that pressure leads to mistakes. When a delivery van or big rig hits you, it is not just a "car accident." It is a case against a massive corporation.
Why these cases are different:
- Companies have deep pockets and aggressive lawyers.
- Federal trucking regulations apply.
- Electronic logging devices (ELDs) track the driver’s every move.
- Maintenance records can prove corporate neglect.
Federal hours-of-service rules (49 CFR Part 395) limit how long commercial drivers can stay behind the wheel, and electronic logging devices record every move. If you were hit by a commercial vehicle, you need a truck accident attorney near me who can secure that data before it disappears. We don't back down from big corporations. We have recovered millions for our clients by holding these giants accountable.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident?
California is beautiful, but our roads are dangerous for people on foot or bikes. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, because you don't have a steel frame protecting you. Drivers are more distracted than ever: they look at phones instead of crosswalks and speed through bike lanes without checking mirrors. Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in marked and unmarked crosswalks under Vehicle Code § 21950, and violating that duty is powerful evidence in your claim.
We fight for the rights of cyclists and pedestrians. We understand the physical and emotional trauma of these crashes. We work to secure compensation for your long-term care and rehabilitation.
When Is a Property Owner Liable for a Slip and Fall?
Property owners have a legal duty to keep you reasonably safe. If they leave a spill on a floor or a broken step unrepaired, they can be liable for your injuries. These "slip and fall" cases fall under premises liability, and the key questions are whether a dangerous condition existed, whether the owner knew or should have known about it, and whether they had time to fix it or warn you.
Don't let a business owner tell you it was your fault. If there was a dangerous condition and they knew about it, they are responsible. We investigate these scenes quickly. We secure video footage before it "disappears."
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Nothing is more devastating than losing a family member. When a death is caused by someone else's negligence, it is a wrongful death. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the right to sue usually starts with the surviving spouse, domestic partner and children, and can extend to other heirs when they are not available.
However, a legal claim can provide financial security for your family. It can cover funeral costs, lost future income, and the loss of companionship. More importantly, it holds the responsible party accountable. One 2026 change to know: the temporary right to recover a decedent's pre-death pain and suffering in a survival action, created by SB 447 under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34, expired on January 1, 2026. Survival-action claims filed in 2026 can no longer recover the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering, though wrongful death damages and economic damages remain fully available.
We handle these sensitive cases with the utmost compassion. We take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can grieve.
Which Deadlines and Fault Rules Can Make or Break Your Case?
California has specific rules that can make or break your case. You need to know these two critical facts:
1. The 6-Month Government Claim Deadline
Did a city bus hit you? Was there a dangerous pothole on a state highway? If a government entity is involved, the clock ticks faster: you generally only have 6 months to file a formal claim under Government Code § 911.2. If you miss it, you may lose your right to sue forever. This is much shorter than the standard two-year limit for private injury cases under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Contact us immediately if a government vehicle or property was involved.
2. Pure Comparative Negligence
California follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule under Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975). This means you can still recover money even if the accident was partially your fault.
If a jury finds you 20% at fault, your total award is reduced by 20%. Even if you are 90% at fault, you can still recover the remaining 10%. Don't assume you have no case just because you made a mistake. We fight to minimize your percentage of fault to maximize your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a driver who violates the Move Over law automatically lose the case?
Not automatically, but it helps a lot. Violating a safety statute like Vehicle Code § 21809 can amount to negligence per se, meaning the violation itself is strong evidence the driver failed to use reasonable care. The other side can still dispute causation or your damages, which is why the rest of your evidence matters.
What changed about rideshare coverage in 2026?
SB 371 kept the $1 million liability requirement for Uber and Lyft but cut required uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to $60,000 per person ($300,000 per incident) starting January 1, 2026. If your injuries exceed those limits, we look to your own UM/UIM policy and every other available source of recovery.
Can I still recover money if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Under California's pure comparative negligence rule, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault but never eliminated. If a jury finds you 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your damages.
How long do I have to file my claim?
Most personal injury and wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, but claims involving a government entity require a formal claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact a lawyer immediately so the right deadline is identified and met.
Why Fairmont Law Firm is the Right Choice
We are not just another law firm. We are your advocates. We focus exclusively on injury cases. We know the tactics insurance companies use to lowball victims.
Our Commitment to You:
- Available 24/7: Accidents don't wait for business hours. Neither do we.
- Se Habla Español: We provide full bilingual support.
- Millions Recovered: Our track record speaks for itself.
- Free Case Evaluation: It costs you nothing to learn your options.
- Aggressive Representation: We push hard to get you the highest possible settlement.
We handle cases throughout the state. Whether you are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or a rural county, we are your personal injury lawyer california.
Take Action Today
The insurance company is already working against you. They want to pay you as little as possible. You need someone in your corner who knows the 2026 laws inside and out.
Don't wait until a deadline passes. Your recovery depends on the actions you take now. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.
Visit Fairmont Law Firm or call us right now for a free case evaluation. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. If you are looking for a car accident lawyer california injury victims trust, we are ready 24/7. Your future is worth the fight.
Sources and Legal Disclaimer
- SB 1107 (2023-2024): Insurance: liability minimums
- SB 371 (2025-2026): Transportation network companies: insurance coverage
- SB 623 (2025-2026): Automobile accidents: civil actions: transportation network companies
- SB 447 (2021-2022): Civil actions: decedent's cause of action
- AB 390 (2025-2026): Vehicles: highway safety
- California Vehicle Code § 21809 (Move Over law)
- California Vehicle Code § 21950 (Pedestrian crosswalk right-of-way)
- 49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service of Drivers
- AAA Foundation: Roadside Assistance Providers Fatally Struck by Vehicles at the Roadside (2024)
- Caltrans: Slow Down, Move Over — Crash Responder Safety Week 2026
- Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34 (Survival action damages)
- Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 (Wrongful death claimants)
- Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 (Two-year statute of limitations)
- Government Code § 911.2 (Six-month government claim deadline)
- Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975)
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts involved. If you have been injured, contact Fairmont Law Firm for a free evaluation of your situation.