California Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle Crashes: A Silent Epidemic in California and Nationwide
Motorcycle accident fatalities and injuries are a serious problem in most areas of the country, but in Southern California, the problem has been dubbed a “silent epidemic,” as motorcycle accident fatalities have more than doubled since 1997. Between lax licensing laws, anti-motorcycle bias among drivers, and the recently-passed lane-splitting initiative AB 51, California ranks among one of the top most dangerous states for motorcycle riders.
At Wisner Baum, our motorcycle accident attorneys can provide aggressive and results-driven representation for anyone involved in a crash with a motorcycle, be they a rider, driver, or pedestrian. We’ve collected over $4 billion for injury victims since we opened our doors in 1973, and for almost half a century, we’ve been tirelessly fighting for improved road safety standards and better outcomes for motorcyclists.
Call our Los Angeles office at (855) 948-5098 to get started with a free consultation. We can provide same-day appointments and have multiple Spanish-speaking attorneys on our staff.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there was a 5% decrease in motorcycle crash fatalities in 2018 as compared with previous years – and yet, motorcyclists are still 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash.
According to the data, motorcyclists can greatly reduce their risk of serious injury or death by wearing a helmet, obtaining the right licensing and training, and not riding while intoxicated. When motorcyclists do not obey the law or drive safely, they may even be considered negligent in causing a crash.
Motorcyclists may be held liable for crash injuries if they do the following:
- Merge lanes or dart between traffic without signaling
- Ride while distracted and talking on the phone
- Drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fail to secure appropriate licensing
- Engage in road rage and aggressive driving behavior
- Tailgate or follow too closely
- Split lanes in close proximity to other vehicles
However, drivers also have a clear responsibility to drive safely and avoid putting motorcyclists at risk, especially because motorcyclists are so much more likely to suffer injuries. Unfortunately, many of the most common causes of motor cycle accidents are linked to driver negligence.
The groundbreaking 1981 Hurt Report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that over two-thirds of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers, and while there has been limited data in the years following that report, it’s likely that driver negligence still continues to be a major factor in motorcycle accident statistics.
Drivers may be responsible for crashes in the following circumstances:
- Disobeying traffic laws
- Failing to signal a merge
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on a cell phone, eating)
- Failing to leave enough room near a motorcyclist
- Opening a car door in traffic
- Intersecting a motorcycle’s right-of-way
Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Crash?
As with any motor vehicle accident case, determining liability for a motorcycle crash requires comprehensive investigation into the causes of the accident. At Wisner Baum, our experienced Los Angeles attorneys have vast experience and knowledge that we can apply to your case, whether you live in Southern California or anywhere else in the country.
For almost a half century, we’ve been advocating for injury victims and seeking the fair compensation that they deserve, and our creative legal strategies have earned us the respect of the national and international legal community. Often awarded by organizations like Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Martindale-Hubbell®, we are known for our persistent advocacy and dedication to our clients.
Contact us at (855) 948-5098 to get your free initial consultation.
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Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto Co. $2 Billion
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Pharmaceutical Settlement $105 Million
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Whistleblower Settlement $18 Million
$18 million settlement for Boeing government overcharging on aircraft maintenance
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A Major US Plane Crash $17.5 Million
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Commercial Truck Accident $15 Million
$15 million settlement for a person gravely injured by a major truck company
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Commercial Truck Accident $8.5 Million
$8.5 million wrongful death verdict against food industry company, Tyson Foods


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A ranking in The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” is widely regarded by both client and legal professionals as a significant honor. It is considered the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere.
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Wisner Baum is proud to be a sponsor of The Truck Safety Coalition, a a group of caring individuals dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by truck-related crashes. Our support enables them to help families and save lives.
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Law360 recognizes law firms that have a strong regional presence, working on important matters within their home state. “[Wisner Baum] possesses a David v. Goliath-sized slingshot while seeking justice for everyday citizens it believes were harmed or killed through corporate wrongdoing.”
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NLJ and American Lawyer Media honor law firms and attorneys as Elite Trial Lawyers for their cutting-edge legal work on behalf of plaintiffs in practice areas ranging from mass torts to securities litigation.
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Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.
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Less than one-half of one percent of firms across the nation have achieved this ranking. A firm must have a high percentage of lawyers who have achieved the prestigious AV® Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.
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The National Law Journal inducted Wisner Baum into the Verdicts Hall of Fame for obtaining the $2 billion landmark verdict in the Roundup cancer case of Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto. The verdict was #1 in California and #2 in the U.S. in 2019 and is #9 in American history.
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Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
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The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 recognized the law firms of Wisner Baum, the Miller Firm and Audet & Partners with the 2019 Trial Team of the Year award (in the Mass Torts category) for their work in the groundbreaking case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto Company.
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An AV® rating reflects an attorney who has reached the heights of professional excellence. The rating signifies the highest legal ability, and very high adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.
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Wisner Baum is proud to have all of its lawyers listed in Avvo, a legal directory connecting people in need of legal services with lawyers and connecting lawyers to lawyers. Eight of our attorneys have earned a 10.0 perfect rating with Avvo.
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CA and USATopVerdict.com ranks our $2 billion verdict in Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto as the biggest verdict in California and the second largest verdict in the U.S. in 2019. It is the ninth largest verdict in U.S. history.
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Published annually, the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list recognizes the “best of the best” in this area of the law through nominations, research, and review by a board of their peers.
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In 2020, Law360 honored the law firms ”behind the litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry.” It recognized our success in several landmark cases.
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In 2018, our $289 million Johnson v. Monsanto verdict was the largest personal injury verdict in California. TopVerdict.com also ranked it #2 among all verdicts in California and #10 in the nation.
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The Bar Register is the definitive guide to the most distinguished law firms in America. It includes only those select law practices that have earned the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field.

Firm Reviews
What Our Clients Are Saying
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Diligent & Professional Representation
“Thanks to your efforts I was able to recover from a tragic experience and turn my life around for the best.”
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Our Best Interest Was Always Number One on Your List
“A special thank you to your Spanish-speaking staff for the extra effort put into this case. The language barrier was never a problem, and we are so very thankful to them. Your name holds much respect in our family.”
- G.C. & C.C