A motorcycle accident can be devastating to riders, causing severe injuries and life-threatening conditions. But victims do not have to suffer alone. Contact our California motorcycle accident attorneys now for a free consultation with a legal expert with no obligation.
Being involved in a collision can be terrifying, painful, and life-changing for motorcycle riders. But we can help you and your bike get on the road to recovery.
At Bisnar Chase, we have over 46 years of experience helping seriously injured motorcyclists and other personal injury clients. We are here to help victims throughout California get the compensation they deserve, answer your questions, and offer expert representation. Contact us now for a free consultation.
- Almost one billion recovered
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California Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Bisnar Chase Trial Attorney Recovers $5.3M For our Client in Motorcycle vs. Car Accident
How Much is a Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
The amount of compensation an accident victim could be entitled to will depend on the circumstances of their crash and the serious injuries they are left with.
A whole range of factors can impact the amount of money a person could be offered in a motorcycle accident settlement or win through a jury verdict. These include:
- Level of negligence of the defendant
- The severity of the victim’s injuries
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, surgery costs, etc.)
- Ongoing rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages during recovery
- Permanently lose ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
An experienced motorcycle injury lawyer can help an injury victim build a strong case and seek maximum damages, including your medical bills. In the event of a fatal motorcycle crash, the family of the victim might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney. A wrongful death claim can be a very complex issue, and having a law firm handle the case can take the burden off the family.
Bisnar Chase: Motorcycle Case Results
At Bisnar Chase, our motorcycle crash lawyers are experts in making sure victims are properly compensated. We have a track record of success in motorcycle accident claims. Some of our biggest wins include:
➤ $38,650,000 – Case details currently confidential.
➤ $30,000,000 – A 25-year-old motorcyclist suffered a catastrophic brain injury after he was knocked off his bike by a negligent driver making a reckless lane change.
➤ $5,300,000 – A car pulled out in front of an oncoming motorcycle, resulting in a crash that left the motorcycle rider with brain damage.
➤ $3,000,000 – A motorcyclist suffered severe and life-altering foot injuries after being hit by a delivery driver.
What Should I look For in Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Choosing who represents you in your motorcycle accident claim in a court of law is a major decision. Choosing the right attorney at the onset will save you trouble down the road. If you are unhappy with your motorcycle attorney, it can be a hassle to switch mid-case. You should consider all the factors below before signing any contract.
- Experience
- Reputation and Reviews
- Communication Skills
- Resources and Support
- Contingency Fee Basis
- Free Initial Consultation
- Trial Experience
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
If you are ever involved in a motorcycle collision, there are several steps that you can take to protect your rights. These steps will also boost your chances of success in filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
First and foremost, the law requires anyone involved in an accident to stop and remain at the scene.
What happens next will depend on the severity of the crash and the serious injuries suffered. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, do not move—wait for emergency services to arrive.
It is imperative to stay still if you have suffered a head injury or another form of catastrophic injury.
However, if you can move around or have a friend or family member at the scene to help you, here are a few useful steps that could be taken:
- Take photos: Photographic evidence of the crash site, the damage to your motorcycle, and your injuries can be vital in motorcycle accident lawsuits.
- Gather information: You will need the contact phone numbers, addresses, and insurance details of the other parties involved. You could also take a picture of their license, as well as obtain contact details for anyone who witnessed the crash.
- Get specific: It is easy to forget important details if they are not written down, and most people are not thinking clearly in the aftermath of a crash. It will be useful to write down the specifics, such as the date, time, location and position of the vehicles at the time of the incident.
- Filing a police report: It is important to get your account of the incident into the police report. Make sure you get a copy of the police report.
- Preserve your vehicle: Repairing your motorcycle as soon as possible may be tempting. However, it is crucial to preserve your bike for a thorough examination by an expert.
- Medical reports: Request records showing any injuries or treatments related to the collision, as well as receipts showing medical bills and expenses.
- Contact an attorney: Call or email Bisnar Chase for a free consultation with a California motorcycle accident lawyer. They will be able to offer expert advice on your legal options.
Motorcycle Accident Dangers
For motorcycle enthusiasts, the thrill of the ride is unparalleled. Many riders believe that there is nothing as exhilarating as being out on California’s sun-kissed roadways. Others ride motorbikes for practical reasons, to zip through the notorious traffic of Southern California.
However, motorcycling is not without risks. It can be extremely dangerous for riders who are traveling at high speeds while completely exposed. When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, it is most likely to be the rider who comes off worse, often suffering catastrophic or fatal injuries.
While motorcyclists have to wear helmets by law, they are still very vulnerable on the roads. Motorbikes accelerate quickly, can be tough to see, and are exposed to the elements. When they collide with larger vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses, the results can be horrifying.
Rear end collisions are hazardous because of the impact and risk of ejection and a secondary fall. This can lead to serious head injuries.
The motorcycle accident victim may seek maximum compensation for their losses, damages, and injuries when another person’s negligence is to blame. Working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in California will ensure the victim has the best possible chance of lawsuit success.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in California
A serious motorcycle collision can have major consequences for everyone involved. These are some of the most frequent road hazards and causes of motorcycle accidents in California:
Left-turn collisions
More than 40% of all serious accidents involving a motorcycle and a second vehicle are caused by the other vehicle turning left across traffic. This happens at intersections, side streets, driveways and parking lots when the turning driver does not see or misjudges the speed of the approaching motorcycle.
Head-on collisions
Crashes involving motorcycles and other vehicles account for more than half of all fatal motorcycle accidents. Nearly 75 percent of the time, the vehicle strikes the motorcycle head-on. These types of crashes often prove fatal for the rider and/or passenger.
Lane Merging
Larger vehicles changing lanes without looking can pose a serious threat to motorcyclists. If a biker is alongside a car when it merges across lanes without warning, the motorcyclist can easily be knocked from their bike and sustain severe injuries.
Speeding
A crash is more likely to occur when vehicles travel at high speeds, and the drivers or riders have little time to react. This is the case regardless of who is speeding. High-speed collisions can be deadly for motorcyclists due to their lack of protection on the roads.
Distracted driving
Driving while distracted is the leading cause of auto accidents in California. This can include texting, setting your GPS, fiddling with your audio options, or eating while driving. A distracted driver could easily fail to see or react to a motorcycle or carelessly drift across lanes.
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be extremely dangerous. This applies to motorcyclists riding while under the influence, as well as drivers of cars or trucks.
Hazards and road debris
Roadway flaws, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, and loose objects, can lead to motorcycle accidents. These are more hazardous for motorcycles than larger, more stable vehicles with 4+ wheels.
Lane splitting
Accidents sometimes occur due to lane splitting, where a motorcycle rides between two lanes to squeeze through traffic. This is legal, but other drivers sometimes fail to see bikers riding between lanes.
No matter how a crash was caused, victims can turn to a California motorcycle accident attorney of Bisnar Chase for expert help and guidance.
Types of Injuries Suffered in a Motorcycle Collision
- Traumatic brain injury
- Fractures and broken bones
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Limb injuries
- Crush injuries
- Lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Head trauma
- Dental damage
- Soft tissue injuries
To protect yourself, you must wear a motorcycle helmet and body gear. There is nothing between you and the road. Personal injury claims can be complicated, and you want to make sure you follow all the rules of the road to get maximum compensation.
Motorcycle Traffic Accident Laws in California
California has strict laws regarding motorcycle riders. To help reduce injury, the following applies to bike riders in California.
- Helmet law
- Insurance requirements: Liability coverage
- Fault system to prove negligence & responsible party
- Valid motorcycle licence
- Safe lane-splitting permitted
Motorcycle Accident Statistics 2024
Motorcycle traffic accident statistics in California and across the rest of the United States make for sobering reading, showing exactly how dangerous a crash can be for riders.
- Motorcycle crashes accounted for approximately 15% of all traffic fatalities, with 6,218 deaths, even though motorcycles only make up about 3% of registered vehicles.
- The death rate for motorcycles is 1.26 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
- The fatality rate is five times higher for motorcycle riders than for people in motor vehicles.
- The roads have become more dangerous for motorcycle riders, with fatalities having increased by 20% over the last decades.
- In 2024, the fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles was 65, and the injury rate was 864.
The following chart shows the numbers of injured motorcyclists in 2018 throughout Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County from 2015-2018, using statistics from California traffic authorities.
There are more than 10,000 annual motorcycle accidents of varying severity across these four counties, with the majority coming in Los Angeles. The following graph also shows the number of fatalities in these areas, as well as the number of crashes that resulted in property damage, such as a totaled motorbike.
Additional motorcycle accident statistics show rates of about 500 injuries per 100 million miles traveled and 59 fatalities per 100,000 registered motorbikes per year.
Turn to our California motorcycle accident attorneys to ensure you are adequately compensated if you are involved in a crash including representation to collect for your property damage and medical bills.
Who is Responsible For Motorcycle Accidents?
A motorcycle injury lawsuit will target the liable parties, suing those at fault for causing an accident and the property damage to your motorcycle. This has the dual benefit of making the victim whole financially and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
Personal injury liability applies when negligent actions have caused an accident. At-fault parties can include:
- The driver of a car or truck. For example, a driver might be liable if they were texting while driving, made a careless or improper maneuver, or caused an accident by speeding.
- An employer. If the at-fault driver was working during the accident, their employer may also be liable. In this case, an employer or company could be named as a defendant in a lawsuit. This might apply to delivery drivers, taxi drivers, and bus drivers.
- The vehicle manufacturer or maintenance workers. There may be a case for manufacturer liability if a vehicle’s design or construction flaw resulted in an accident. Improper maintenance can also sometimes be blamed.
- A city/transport authority. When a roadway defect or dangerous street design causes an accident, the city government could be targeted in a lawsuit.
A motorcycle accident in California can be challenging to handle on your own. For advice on approaching legal action against a negligent party and financial compensation, trust a Bisnar Chase motorcycle accident lawyer in California. We are highly experienced in fighting for the rights of crash victims. Call 800-561-4887 today.
Motorcycle Accident Case Studies
There are far too many examples of fatal motorcycle accidents, as well as motorcyclists injured in major crashes throughout California. Here are just a few examples from recent years:
Former UCLA Footballer Loses Leg in Motorcyce Accident
Name: Amir Ekbatani / When and Where: Redondo Beach, CA, 2012
Former UCLA footballer Amir Ekbatani suffered a catastrophic injury in a motorcycle crash in Redondo Beach. Aged 24 at the time, Ekbatani was riding north on Pacific Coast Highway when a taxi turned in front of him at a notoriously dangerous intersection. He lost the lower part of his left leg and was awarded $27.5m in compensation after a lawsuit.
Motorcyclist Killed in Horrific Freeway Crash Near LA
Name: Unknown / When and Where: Freeway near Inglewood, CA, August 2017
An unnamed motorcyclist was killed in a horrific crash on the 405 freeway near Inglewood in the early hours of the morning. It is unclear what caused the collision, but a motorcyclist was knocked from his bike and run over by several cars, according to police reports. The southbound 405 was closed for four hours and the motorcyclist sadly died at the scene.
Off-Duty Cop Killed In Motorcycle Accident with a Semi-Truck
Name: Nathan Martin / When and Where: Oxnard, CA, January 2020
Off-duty police officer Nathan Martin was killed when he collided with a semi-truck while riding his motorcycle home from work. Martin, 45 – a 20-year force veteran – was riding his personal motorbike when the fatal crash happened. He was less than a mile from the police station having just left for the day. Martin was rushed to hospital but died from his severe injuries.
If you or a loved one have been hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact a motorcycle accident law firm now. We can help victims and their families secure a fair settlement, or take a motorcycle accident case to court.
How a Lawyer Can Help: Taking on the Insurance Company
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in California are specialists who provide superior representation for injury victims and their families.
Following an accident, many people struggle to fight for justice alone. But this can be extremely tough and frustrating, especially when taking on the other party’s insurance company. The insurance claims adjuster may appear friendly, but their goal is not to help you but to pay out as little as possible.
Bisnar Chase is a respected law firm with a long history of success. Our motorcycle attorneys are compassionate, providing emotional support as well as legal expertise. Adept at dealing with insurance companies, they are tough negotiators who strive to reach fair settlements when possible.
Our attorneys are also accomplished trial lawyers. They will not back down from a courtroom challenge if they feel their clients have not received a fair compensation offer.
Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident
- Economic damages
- non-economic damages
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages if applicable
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
The following are some of the questions most often asked of our California motorcycle accident lawyers. If our frequently asked questions do not cover your query, do not hesitate to contact us.
Yes, you can still file a lawsuit if you were partially to blame for an accident. Many auto accidents feature multiple people at fault. As a general rule, if the negligence of another party contributed to your crash, legal action can be taken. Under California’s comparative negligence laws, any compensation awarded to the victim might be diluted by their level of fault.
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to the California statute of limitations. Once filed, the case could take weeks, months, or years to be concluded. During this time, Bisnar Chase will take care of everything and keep in regular contact with victims.
You should not do anything without consulting with a personal injury attorney first. An insurance firm may start by making a lowball offer. Whenever a settlement offer is received, ask your lawyer for their expert guidance on the worth of your case before accepting it.
At Bisnar Chase we offer a ‘No Win, No Fee’ promise to all clients. If we win your case, we will get a pre-agreed percentage of the settlement or verdict amount. If not, you will be protected financially. We also offer a free initial consultation.
There are several ways to contact Bisnar Chase. Either call us on (800) 561-4887 or visit our website – www.BestAttorney.com – to email us or use the Live Chat feature. You can also reach us through our social media channels.
2024 Best California Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Bisnar Chase is one of the most trusted injury firms in California. We have an outstanding record in motorcycle accident cases, having won multiple $30+ million awards for accident victims.
Over the last 46 years, we have won more than $900 million for those who have suffered injuries and we are proud of our 99% success rate.
Making sure accident victims are properly compensated means everything to us. Our attorneys are skilled, passionate, and dedicated to securing top results. But it is not just about the money. We also thrive on making sure victims get a sense of justice, and wrongdoers are held accountable.
In addition, our ‘No Win, No Fee’ guarantee ensures that our services are available to people of all means.
Find out how much your case could be worth now! Contact Bisnar Chase by calling (800) 561-4887, or click to email us and arrange a free consultation with our California motorcycle accident attorneys today.
