Motorcycle Accidents
Attorney in California

Most common motorcycle accident type. Car turns left across motorcyclist's right-of-way path. Vehicle Code § 21801 requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming traffic; failure to see the motorcyclist is no defense — drivers must use ordinary care to detect motorcycles.

Driver fails to check blind spot and merges into motorcyclist's lane. California requires drivers to share the road with motorcyclists who are legally lane splitting under Vehicle Code § 21658.1.

Less common than in car accidents due to motorcycle's smaller braking distance, but produces severe injuries when they occur. Distracted driving (texting, phone use) is the most common cause.

Potholes, debris, oil slicks, uneven pavement, and missing signage. Government claims against state, county, or city highway departments under Gov Code § 835 (dangerous condition of public property) — strict 6-month administrative claim deadline.

Lane splitting is legal under Vehicle Code § 21658.1 when done at safe speeds. Drivers who fail to check mirrors, swerve, or open doors into lane-splitting motorcyclists are liable. We routinely defeat 'reckless lane splitting' arguments with reasonable-speed evidence.

Driver opens car door into motorcyclist's path. Vehicle Code § 22517 prohibits opening doors when unsafe; driver is presumed liable. Severe injuries common because the motorcyclist is thrown over or into the door.

Drivers fleeing motorcycle accidents leave the rider with UM coverage as primary recourse. We pursue identification leads (security footage, witnesses, partial plates) while filing the UM claim with the rider's own carrier.

California explicitly authorizes lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic) at safe speeds for traffic conditions. The only U.S. state with explicit lane-splitting authorization. Drivers must share the road with motorcyclists who are lane splitting.

California requires motorcyclists to wear DOT-approved helmets. Helmet status affects only head-injury damages under comparative negligence — does not bar recovery for non-head injuries (broken legs, road rash, internal injuries) or for the majority of head injuries even when helmet was not worn.

Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic, including motorcyclists. Failure to see a motorcycle is not a defense — drivers must use ordinary care to detect motorcycles approaching in their right-of-way.

California prohibits opening vehicle doors when unsafe to do so. Drivers who open doors into motorcyclists' paths are presumed liable; the rider has no comparative fault in most dooring accidents.

Road hazard claims against government entities require proof of dangerous condition, government's actual or constructive notice, and causal link to injury. 6-month administrative claim deadline under Gov Code § 911.2 is strict — late claims usually barred.

California motorcycle accident PI claims must be filed within 2 years. Government claims require 6-month administrative claim first.

California allows recovery even when rider was partially at fault — damages reduced by rider's percentage of fault. Even significant rider fault doesn't bar substantial recovery in cases involving driver negligence.

Broken bones treated conservatively, persistent pain, residual limitations. Settlement covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain/suffering above the at-fault driver's minimum policy.

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for fractures, ACL reconstruction, single-level spinal fusion. UM/UIM coverage frequently necessary to cover damages exceeding the at-fault driver's policy.

Multiple body parts injured, often combined with mild-to-moderate TBI. Future medical needs (revision surgeries, chronic pain management) drive substantial future-cost value.

Permanent total disability or near-total disability. Life-care plans, future medical costs, permanent earning capacity loss, and substantial pain/suffering produce seven- and eight-figure recoveries when liability is clear.

Road rash, surgical scars, and disfigurement add substantial non-economic damage value. Severe disfigurement (face, hands, multiple body areas) can drive seven-figure non-economic awards.

Surviving heirs recover under CCP § 377.60. Catastrophic injury patterns common in fatal motorcycle accidents drive recoveries above most fatal auto cases.

Document rider speed through skid marks, ECU data, witness statements, and reconstruction experts. Most 'reckless rider' arguments fail when actual speed is established at or near posted limits.

Helmet status affects only head-injury damages — broken legs, road rash, internal injuries, and most damages are unaffected. Even head injuries can largely recover when helmet contribution is properly limited by biomechanical experts.

Lane splitting is legal under Vehicle Code § 21658.1 at safe speeds for traffic conditions. We document the motorcyclist's reasonable speed relative to surrounding traffic — most lane-splitting defenses fail.

Voir dire focuses on jurors' specific experience with and attitudes toward motorcycles. We use the discovery process to identify bias and challenge for cause when appropriate.

Vehicle Code requires drivers to use ordinary care to detect motorcycles. Failure to see a legally-operating motorcycle is the driver's failure, not the rider's. Reconstruction experts document visibility from the driver's perspective.

Personal background is generally not admissible as character evidence. We move to exclude irrelevant lifestyle evidence through pretrial motions in limine.