Award-Winning Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

With 800,000 and counting, California has the most registered motorcycles anywhere in the United States. Motorcycle riding culture runs deep in California, and the state’s many scenic routes are a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts and novice riders alike.

Yet riding a motorcycle comes with its own unique risks, too. Even the most experienced and safe riders can fall victim to serious and deadly accidents. With less protection than others on the road, motorcyclists almost always sustain injuries.

At Alpha Accident Lawyers, our California motorcycle accident lawyers are here for motorcycle riders and their families after an accident. We are committed to obtaining top compensation so that injured motorcycle accident victims can make a full recovery. Contact our California motorcycle accident lawyer by clicking the button below.

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Why Choose Alpha Accident Lawyers

At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we take each case personally. That’s because we understand how a personal injury can affect one’s life for years to come. Our goal as personal injury lawyers is to help our clients recover what they need to go on and live successful, fulfilled lives. This is especially true of motorcyclists who have a passion for riding and the tight-knit motorcycle community. 

With decades of combined experience, our California motorcycle accident lawyers have successfully obtained millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. We maintain a 99% success rate among all cases, including car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, and bicycle accident claims. Here are more reasons why you should choose Alpha to represent you:

1. Investigate your accident: One minute you are riding, and the next minute you are injured and your bike is damaged. This worst case scenario is an unfortunate reality for all riders, regardless of age or experience. Our lawyers will take great care to fully investigate your accident and determine the liable party. 
2. Gather and preserve evidence: Without evidence, there is no case. Our motorcycle accident attorneys are seasoned experts at gathering and preserving critical evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and camera footage. 
3. File a motorcycle accident claim: Filing a claim is not as simple as showing the insurance company your losses and getting a check in the mail. Motorcycle accident claims can be complex and lengthy, but with the right legal representation, you have a much higher chance of winning.
4. Negotiate with the insurance company: This is typically the most challenging stage of any personal injury claim. The insurance company will try to play mind games and use deceitful tactics to avoid paying a large settlement. With a lawyer present and protecting your legal rights, you will likely have a much better outcome than if you filed a claim on your own. 
5. File a lawsuit if necessary: A motorcycle accident lawsuit may be necessary if the other party’s insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. Our law firm has extensive trial experience and will take your case to court to reach the optimal result. 
6. Obtain maximum compensation: Our motorcycle accident attorney in California stops at nothing to get motorcycle accident victims maximum compensation for their injuries and other losses. Under our contingency fee arrangement, we do not take a penny unless we win a settlement for you. 

Do not wait too long to contact a California motorcycle accident attorney. Call to schedule a free case evaluation by phone at (800) 544-8000.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in California

Between 2011 and 2015, 2,299 motorcyclists were killed in motorcycle accidents in California. In the same period, nearly 60,000 were injured. These shocking statistics highlight the dangers in which motorcyclists encounter daily while riding alongside other vehicles. 

Although some motorcyclists cause accidents by their own mistakes, the majority of motorcycle accidents are due to the negligence of other drivers on the road. Some of the most common types of motorcycle accident cases we see at our law firm our: 

• Single-vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle collisions with cars or trucks
• Hit-and-run accidents involving motorcycles

Driver negligence plays a large role in motorcycle injuries and fatalities. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in California are: 

Speeding

Unsafe speed is the leading cause of most traffic collisions in California. The higher the speed, the greater chance of serious injuries to the driver and the passenger. Drivers who disregard the speed limits on roads and highways put themselves and others in danger. 

Impaired Driving 

Alcohol and/or drug use plays a huge factor in motorcycle collisions. According to statistics, driving or biking under the influence accounted for 9% of all motorcycle accidents. Alcohol impairment can lead to rear-end collisions, sideswipe accidents, and red light accidents, all which have serious consequences. 

Lane Splitting

California is unique in that it is the only state to allow lane splitting, which is the practice of riding between two lanes of stopped or slowly moving traffic. While endorsed by many motorcycle organizations, it is still a dangerous practice. Vehicles are less likely to expect a fast-moving motorcycle and may hit them while trying to merge or change lanes. Still, vehicle drivers must grant motorcyclists the right of way when lane splitting. 

Road Hazards

Road hazards are especially dangerous to motorcyclists, as motorbikes have less stability than four-wheel passenger vehicles. Debris from storms or construction sites may cause a motorcycle to lose its traction and crash. In cases like these, it is usually the city’s responsibility to maintain the roads for safe use. 

Motorcycle Defects

Millions of motorcycles are recalled each year because of defective parts or design. If a defective part causes an accident, the motorcycle manufacturer could be held accountable for any resulting injuries. Motorcycle defects could affect the frame of the bike, engine, fuel tank, brakes, tires, or handlebars. To check for recalls, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. 

Unsafe Lane Changes

Under California Vehicle Code 22107, drivers are prohibited from turning or changing lanes on a roadway unless they can do so safely and with an appropriate signal. Unsafe lane changes endanger motorcyclists by exposing them to the risk of being hit, sideswiped, or forced off the road by larger vehicles.

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California Motorcycle Laws: What to Know

Motorcycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. However, one of the key differences is that California law allows motorcyclists to pass other vehicles in the same direction, a practice known as “lane splitting” or “lane sharing.” Below are motorcycle laws both riders and drivers should know. 

Lane Splitting 

California is the only state so far to legally allow motorcycles to lane split or lane share. This means that motorcycles can ride between rows of stopped or slow moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways. 

Helmet Safety Law

Under California Vehicle Code 27803, all riders and passengers must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet when riding a motorcycle. Wearing a helmet has been proven to significantly reduce head injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents. 

Passenger Laws

There is no minimum age requirement for motorcycle passengers. Yet California law says that passengers must have their own seat and their feet must reach the footrests. While children are technically allowed to ride as passengers, they must be at least 4’9” and not require a child safety seat.  

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

While motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet, they have little else protecting them from the dangers of other vehicles. Even a low-speed accident can cause serious injuries like broken bones. Our motorcycle accident attorneys have represented victims who have sustained the following types of injuries: 

• Road rash: This is a friction wound caused when the skin rubs against a hard, rough surface, like pavement. While generally not considered serious, this motorcycle accident injury can lead to pain and scarring if not treated properly. 
• Head injuries: One of the most common motorcycle accident injuries is head and brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) could be minor, like a concussion, or severe, leading to permanent brain damage or death. 
• Spinal cord injuries: Any spinal cord or back injury is considered very grave. Even if slightly damaged, the spinal cord could is very delicate and an injury could mean a loss of partial or total movement in the body, known as paralysis. 
• Broken bones: A fractured bone is more complex than meets the eye. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, a broken bone could require surgery and months of rehabilitation and physical therapy. 
• Internal injuries: Injuries to the internal organs could lead to internal bleeding, which is a life-threatening medical condition. Symptoms often do not appear right away. 
• Burns: If the motorcycle catches on fire, the motorcycle rider may suffer from burns. Burns can range from minor to very serious, and may potentially lead to permanent nerve damage. 
• Amputation: The force of the impact may cause a motorcycle rider to lose their limb, resulting in traumatic amputation or surgical amputation. This is a life-changing injury.
• Wrongful death: Tragically, many motorcyclists pass away in accidents each year. In these situations, the surviving family member or spouse may have the right to sue for their own losses suffered after their loved one's death.

How Do I Prove Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident?

If you are out riding and crash into a road barrier due to speed or another factor, you will likely not have a valid motorcycle accident lawsuit. However, if another vehicle causes your accident due to their own negligence, you may have a case. Negligence is the basis of most personal injury claims in California. It is the legal term for carelessness. 

To prove negligence, you must show the following four factors: 

1. Duty of care: All drivers have a duty of care to drive safely and prevent harm to others. This is the same for doctors and patients, or business owners and customers. 
2. Breach: If the other driver was speeding, drunk driving, or distracted, they would be considered negligent and therefore have breached their duty of care. 
3. Causation: The plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s negligent actions directly caused the accident and the subsequent injuries. 
4. Damages: The plaintiff must show through evidence that he or she suffered financial and non-financial damages as a result of the injury. 

Clear and strong evidence will help you prove the elements of negligence. This includes police reports, medical records, and witness statements. 

In motor vehicle accidents, our legal team also brings in accident reconstruction experts who help reconstruct how the accident happened and determine who was at fault. 

Accident reconstruction experts are professionals who use scientific methods and techniques to analyze the physical evidence of an accident and create a detailed report or a simulation of the crash. They can also testify in court as expert witnesses to support your claim.

Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims

The main goal of a motorcycle accident lawsuit is to seek compensation for the injuries and other losses suffered by the motorcycle accident victim. The total recovery amount will depend on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, who is at fault, and the insurance available. 

Victims of motorcycle accidents deserve to be financially compensated. Our motorcycle accident lawyers have successfully obtained the following types of compensation: 

Past and future medical expenses

After a motorcycle accident in California, the victim likely sustained an injury, whether a broken bone or a ruptured spleen, requiring medical treatment. A motorcycle accident case can compensate a victim for their expensive medical bills, treatment, rehabilitation, and more. 

Lost income

If a motorcycle accident injury puts a victim out of work for several weeks or months, a motorcycle accident claim can include financial compensation for the victim’s lost wages. A claim can also provide compensation for future loss of earning capacity if the victim is unable to return to work.

Pain and suffering

This is a non-economic damage that refers to the physical and emotional pain suffered by accident victims. There is no limit to the amount of pain and suffering a motorcycle accident victim may claim.

Property damage

If your motorcycle was seriously damaged or destroyed in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the repair or replacement of your bike. 

Even if you were not wearing a helmet during your motorcycle accident, you can still claim compensation for your injuries. California follows a "pure comparative negligence" statute that allows victims to claim compensation even if they were partially at fault.

The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side

One of the most challenging aspects of a motorcycle accident claim is dealing with the insurance companies. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying claims. They will use various tactics to deny or reduce your claim’s worth, such as:

• Denying liability: The insurance companies may try to blame you for the accident or argue that you were partially at fault. They may also try to find loopholes or exclusions in your policy that can limit your coverage. 
• Disputing damages: Many times, insurance companies try to minimize the extent of a victim’s injuries and losses. They may also try to use any pre-existing conditions or prior injuries against you. 
• Delaying or avoiding communication: Stalling a claim is a common insurance tactic used in hopes of the filer dropping the claim altogether. They may also try to avoid answering your calls, emails, or letters, or give you vague or misleading information. 
• Making lowball offers: Insurance companies try to pressure victims into accepting a settlement offer that is far below the true value of their losses. They may also try to make you sign a release form that waives your right to sue or pursue financial compensation. 

With an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side, the insurance company will not be able to take advantage of you in your time of need. Having legal representation sends a clear message to the insurance adjuster that you will not accept less than you deserve. 

No Win, No Fee Guarantee 

One of the benefits of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in California is that you don't have to worry about paying any upfront legal fees. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid if we win your case. That's right, no fee unless you win.

This means that you can hire us without any risk or obligation. We will cover all the expenses related to your case, such as filing fees, court costs, expert fees, and more. When you receive your settlement, we will only take a percentage of your recovery as our fee. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free case evaluation. 

Speak to a California Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, or anywhere else in California, do not delay in seeking legal help. Our experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and interests, and help you secure compensation for your injuries. 

There is a strict statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident case in California, and if you miss them, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Make sure you reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.

We have attorneys serving the Los Angeles and Sacramento areas.  However, we take cases from across the state. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you get back on your bike.

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