Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Supporting California Motorcycle Accident Victims in Their Recovery Process
If you or a family member were in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a legal claim to obtain compensation from the party who caused the crash. The Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers at Wisner Baum want to protect your rights and fight to maximize your compensation.
With years of experience representing auto accident victims, our seasoned trial lawyers aggressively represent clients in court. Our efforts have earned more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients across all practice areas.
Need help after a motorcycle accident? Call Wisner Baum today at (855) 948-5098 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our motorcycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles!
Understand Your Rights and Grounds for a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Due to the limited amount of protection that a motorcycle provides to its rider, crashes often lead to catastrophic, life-changing injuries or even death. If the other party engaged in one or more of the following acts of negligence and caused you injury, you likely have grounds for a claim:
- Ignoring traffic laws and regulations
- Cutting off a motorcyclist
- Tailgating a motorcyclist
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to signal while turning or merging
- Failing to check for motorcyclists when changing lanes
- Opening a car door in the middle of traffic
- Passing a motorcyclist without leaving sufficient room
If your accident was caused by one of these acts, speak to an attorney to see if filing a lawsuit is viable. An accident attorney may be able to recover damages for any injuries sustained, the cost of medical treatment, pain, and suffering, emotional distress, psychological damage, lost wages due to time missed from work, property damage, and more.
If you are still unsure whether your injury warrants a claim, some common examples are:
- Serious burns
- Brain injuries
- Orthopedic injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations or partial limb loss
- Short- or long-term disability
What Are the Leading Causes and Types of Motorcycle Accidents in California?
According to a 2022 report from the University of California, Berkeley, the most common contributing factors in California motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding: 30.9%
- Improper turning: 22.2%
- Right-of-way violations by automobiles: 16.1%
- Driving under the influence (DUI): 8.9%
- Failing to obey traffic signals or signs: 4.4%
According to the same report, the most common types of motorcycle accidents in California include:
- Broadside collisions: 25.1%
- Overturn accidents: 21%
- Colliding with an object: 18.8%
- Rear-end collisions: 12.5%
- Sideswipe collisions: 11.5%
California Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- There were 10,597 motorcycle accidents in California in 2022, resulting in 8,632 injuries and 532 fatalities.
- Los Angeles County had the highest number of motorcycle accidents in 2021, resulting in 133 deaths and 3,068 injuries.
- The City of Los Angeles had a total of 942 motorcycle crashes in 2021, resulting in 53 deaths and 346 severe injuries.
- California ranks #2 in the country for the most significant number of motorcycle deaths.
- In California, there are 5.8 deaths for every 10,000 motorcycles.
- In 2020, over two-thirds (67.2%) of all motorcycle crash fatalities occurred in urban areas, with 32.3% occurring on rural roads.
California's Motorcycle Helmet Law
California is one of 18 states that require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, regardless of age. California Vehicle Code § 27803 requires all riders and passengers to wear a U.S. DOT-compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.
Statistics show that wearing a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle helmet can increase your chances of surviving a head injury by three times in the event of a crash.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in California?
Lane splitting is riding a motorcycle between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. In 2016, California passed a law legalizing lane splitting for motorcyclists, making it the only state in the U.S. to have such a law. While several other states allow similar behaviors, like “lane filtering,” California is the only state where lane splitting is explicitly legal.
FAQs About Motorcycle Accident Claims in Los Angeles, CA
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles?
After a motorcycle accident, prioritize your safety and health. Call 911 if there are any injuries. If you're able, collect information from the other driver(s), take photos of the scene, get contact info from witnesses, and seek medical attention—even for minor symptoms. Then, contact a personal injury attorney familiar with Los Angeles laws.
Who can be held liable for a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles?
Liability depends on the facts of the case. Common liable parties include other drivers, commercial vehicle operators, government entities (for poor road conditions), or even motorcycle manufacturers (if a defect contributed). California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning fault can be shared.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident claim in California?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. If a government entity is involved (e.g., a city bus or road hazard), a claim must usually be filed within 6 months.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, which allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 30% at fault, your recovery will be reduced by 30%.
What kind of compensation can I recover in a motorcycle accident claim?
You may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage (e.g., motorcycle repairs)
- Emotional distress
In wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship
How is fault proven in a motorcycle accident claim?
Fault is typically proven through:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Expert reconstruction of the accident
- Medical records and photographs of injuries and damage
Do I need a lawyer for my motorcycle accident case?
While not required, working with our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer can significantly improve your chances of securing fair compensation. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and our team can help protect your rights, gather evidence, and negotiate on your behalf.
Why Choose Wisner Baum for Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
While motorcycle crash victims may file a claim with their insurance provider or in the civil justice system, working with an experienced attorney can help level the playing field to ensure they receive the maximum compensation available. At-fault parties will use all the resources to limit their liability, so accident victims are best served with legal representation that understands the complexities of each unique case. Furthermore, an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer will investigate the crash and determine if other parties may be liable, thus increasing the case's potential value.
When it comes to choosing a lawyer, many factors set Wisner Baum apart from the competition, including the following:
- We are highly regarded among industry organizations: Super Lawyers®, the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, U.S. News—Best Lawyers®, and others have recognized us for our skilled legal work.
- Skilled negotiators with a proven track record of success: Our Los Angeles lawyers have advocated for injured motorcyclists for decades and have effectively recovered many multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
- Extensive experience in a range of practice areas: We have represented clients in various related practice areas, including truck accident litigation, bus crash litigation, and others, which means that we can effectively apply our adaptive legal knowledge to help strengthen your case’s strong points.
- Respected by peers and former clients: Our attorneys are well-respected by our peers and past clients, and we would be happy to provide you with references so you can hear for yourself how we have helped countless clients seek justice.
To experience the peace of mind that comes with having an award-winning legal team in your corner, work with Wisner Baum.
Contact Our Los Angeles Office
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1750
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Call: (855) 948-5098
Get a FREE consultation with our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers by filling out our online form. Se habla español!
Our Case Results
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$2.0 Billion Verdict Personal Injury
In May of 2019, the jury in the case of Pilliod et al. v, Monsanto Company ordered the agrochemical giant to pay $2.055 billion in damages to the plaintiffs, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a Bay Area couple in their 70s.
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$289.2 Million Verdict Personal Injury
On Aug. 10, 2018, a San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $39.25 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages to Mr. Johnson, a former groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s herbicides caused him to develop terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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$265 Million Settlement Fatal Train Crash
In 2016, Wisner Baum attorney Timothy A. Loranger and six other attorneys in the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee were able to secure a $265 million settlement for victims of the 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia, one of the largest in the U.S. for 2016.
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$105 Million Settlement Pharmaceutical Settlement
Wisner Baum obtained $105 million on behalf of multiple clients involved in a pharmaceutical negligence case.
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$80 Million Verdict Personal Injury
Wisner Baum attorneys served on the trial team in the case of Hardeman v. Monsanto Company, which resulted in an $80 million jury verdict for the plaintiff, Edwin Hardeman.
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$63 Million Settlement Paxil Pediatric Class Action
$63 million pediatric class action re false promotion of Paxil. Judge approves final terms of improved national pediatric paxil class action settlement – consumers get a better deal.
Client-Focused Representation
REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
We believe our track record speaks for itself. But you don’t have to take our word for it. See what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"I Can’t Imagine a Better Law Firm"
Multiple lawyers recommended Wisner Baum to me and I have been consistently impressed with the quality of their work.
- Best Law Firms Survey -
"They Are About Changing the Systems..."
Wisner Baum are not only amazing attorneys but more importantly, they are activists. They are about changing the systems which got us into trouble in the first place. They understand their role in the process of making change.
- Kim Witczak -
"Top Legal Minds in the Country"
The Wisner Baum firm has some of the top legal minds in the country; they are driven, determined, trustworthy, ethical and passionate.
- From Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms
