Quick answer: A motorcycle accident lawyer helps injured riders and passengers recover compensation after a crash caused by someone else. Motorcycle claims often face bias from insurers, disputes over lane splitting and helmet use, and injuries that are more severe than in typical car accidents. The Law Offices of Mark Murad represents riders throughout Los Angeles County from offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, and Ontario. Consultations are free, and there is no fee unless we win.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
Get medical care first, preserve your gear and bike, and speak with a motorcycle crash lawyer before talking to the other driver's insurer.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, road surface, and your injuries.
- Keep your helmet, jacket, and boots exactly as they are.
- Do not let your motorcycle be repaired or salvaged yet.
- Avoid recorded statements and quick settlement offers.
Why Are Motorcycle Accident Claims Different?
Riders have no steel frame protecting them, so even low-speed collisions can cause fractures, road rash, and brain injuries. Insurers also know that some jurors hold negative views about motorcyclists, and they use that to push low offers.
California law gives riders specific protections. Lane splitting is defined in the Vehicle Code as riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, on divided or undivided roads. Riding between lanes, by itself, does not make a rider at fault.
What Is a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
A motorcycle accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney who investigates motorcycle collisions, proves who caused them, and pursues compensation from negligent drivers, companies, or public agencies. A motorcycle accident attorney also counters the common insurance tactic of blaming the rider.
Who Needs a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
You likely need one if you were:
- A rider or passenger hurt by a negligent driver
- Struck by a car making a left turn in front of you
- Hit while lane splitting in traffic
- Injured by a road defect, such as a pothole or loose gravel
- A family member of a rider killed in a crash
When Should You Call?
Call once you have received medical care and before you give any statement to an insurer. Early contact protects evidence like surveillance video, which businesses often overwrite within days or weeks.
Why Choose a Professional Motorcycle Crash Attorney?
An experienced motorcycle crash attorney knows how to respond when insurers argue that you were speeding, splitting lanes unsafely, or hard to see. When comparing lawyers, ask:
- Have you handled lane-splitting disputes?
- Will you inspect my bike and gear before they are discarded?
- Do you work with accident reconstruction and medical experts?
- Who will be my main point of contact?
Learn more about our attorneys and our full personal injury practice.
Expert Insights: What Does an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Look For?
Your helmet is evidence. California requires both the rider and any passenger to wear a helmet that meets state safety requirements. A DOT-labeled helmet with visible impact damage helps prove both compliance and crash force. Never throw it away.
The bike tells the story. Scrape marks, fork damage, and final resting position help reconstruction experts calculate speed and point of impact.
Coverage matters. Many at-fault drivers carry low policy limits. We review your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage early.
Local riding conditions. LA riders face heavy lane-splitting traffic on the 405 and 101, canyon routes like Angeles Crest Highway, and crowded stretches of Pacific Coast Highway. Road design and maintenance can matter in these cases.
Common mistakes riders make:
- Saying "I'm fine" at the scene
- Posting ride photos or crash updates online
- Repairing the motorcycle before an inspection
- Missing follow-up medical appointments
Service Specifications
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Practice focus | Motorcycle injury and wrongful death claims |
Service area | Los Angeles County and Southern California |
Offices | Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, Ontario |
Fee structure | No fee unless we win |
Consultation | Free, no obligation |
Covered parties | Riders and passengers |
Expert support | Reconstruction and medical specialists |
Benefits of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Rider bias defense | Counters unfair blame |
Evidence preservation | Protects gear, bike, and video |
Coverage review | Identifies every insurance source |
Injury valuation | Accounts for surgeries and future care |
Deadline tracking | Prevents missed filing dates |
Insurer communication | Keeps your statements protected |
Trial readiness | Strengthens settlement negotiations |
Common Applications
Crash Type | Typical Issue |
|---|---|
Left-turn collision | Driver failed to yield |
Lane-splitting crash | Driver changed lanes without checking |
Dooring | Parked driver opened door into rider |
Rear-end collision | Following too closely |
Road hazard crash | Public entity maintenance |
Hit-and-run | Uninsured motorist claim |
Fatal crash | Wrongful death claim |
Our Motorcycle Accident Case Process
Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
1 | Free consultation |
2 | Evidence preservation |
3 | Liability investigation |
4 | Medical documentation |
5 | Insurance demand |
6 | Negotiation |
7 | Lawsuit and trial if needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Our firm works on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in California?
Usually two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against a government agency require an administrative claim within six months under the California Government Claims Act.
Is lane splitting legal in California?
Yes. California defines lane splitting in its Vehicle Code, and the CHP may develop educational safety guidelines for it.
Can I still recover if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Often, yes. The insurer may argue your injuries would have been less severe, which can affect the value of your claim.
What if I was partly at fault?
California follows pure comparative negligence, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated.
What compensation can I recover?
Medical bills, lost income, future care, motorcycle damage, gear replacement, and pain and suffering may be recoverable.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
Not before speaking with a lawyer. Adjusters may use your words to shift blame.
What if the driver fled the scene?
Your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Report the crash to police promptly.
How long does a motorcycle accident case take?
It depends on your recovery, the insurance limits, and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
What if my loved one died in a motorcycle crash?
Surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim.
Final Key Takeaway
Motorcycle crash claims turn on evidence, California-specific law, and the ability to overcome rider bias. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer protects that evidence early and builds a claim that reflects the full cost of catastrophic injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis.
Talk to a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Hurt in a motorcycle crash? Call (626) 388-1521 or our Los Angeles office at (213) 286-3398 for a free consultation, or contact us online. Riders in nearby areas can visit our Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer and Pasadena motorcycle accident lawyer pages. If a commercial vehicle hit you, see our truck accident lawyer page..