Vehicle Accidents
Lane splitting is legal in California. Bias against riders is not a defense
Riders are routinely blamed for crashes caused by drivers who never looked. We build the case that shows what actually happened.
About motorcycle accidents claims
Motorcycle claims carry an extra obstacle: assumptions about riders. Adjusters and jurors may start from the premise that a motorcyclist was speeding or riding recklessly, so these cases require early, thorough reconstruction rather than reliance on a narrative that forms at the scene.
California is the only state that expressly permits lane splitting, and it is legal when done in a manner that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions. Lane splitting is not negligence in itself, and the fact that a rider was between lanes does not excuse a driver who changed lanes without looking or signaling.
Injuries in these crashes are typically severe because there is no protective structure, which makes the medical and life-care documentation as important as the liability work. We also evaluate whether a helmet, tire, brake or other component performed as it should have, since a component failure can add a product liability claim.
Common injuries
Injuries we see most often in these cases. Every claim is different, and this list is not exhaustive.
- Traumatic brain injury, including in helmeted riders
- Road rash requiring debridement and skin grafting
- Open fractures and orthopedic injuries requiring hardware
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Amputation and permanent loss of limb function
- Internal injuries and wrongful death
Who can be held liable
Responsibility often extends well beyond the most obvious company. We look at every party in the chain.
- The driver who failed to yield, turned across the lane or changed lanes unsafely
- An employer, where the at-fault driver was working
- A government entity responsible for pavement defects, debris or signal failures
- The manufacturer of a defective helmet, tire, brake or motorcycle component
- A repair shop responsible for faulty maintenance work
Evidence that matters
What we work to preserve and obtain early, because this proof tends to disappear with time.
- Scene documentation including gouge marks, debris fields and sight lines
- Helmet, riding gear and the motorcycle itself, preserved unrepaired
- Available helmet-camera, dashcam and business surveillance video
- Independent accident reconstruction addressing speed and visibility
- Complete medical records and a life-care assessment where injuries are permanent
Do not wait on the deadline
California generally allows two years to bring a personal injury or product liability claim under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, and two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Shorter deadlines apply when a government entity is involved, and deadlines can be extended for injured children. Exceptions are fact-specific. Talk to us before you assume anything about your own timeline.
Answers
Motorcycle Accidents: common questions
Injured by motorcycle accidents? Let us review it at no cost.
A conversation costs you nothing and there is no obligation. No fee unless we recover compensation for you. In some matters a client may still be responsible for case costs and expenses, and we will explain exactly how that works before you decide to hire us.