Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles, California
The firms in this guide
1. Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with cars and trucks, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run accidents, accidents caused by defective motorcycle parts, accidents caused by road hazards
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expert consultation, future medical care cost projection, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has obtained more personal injury verdicts and settlements over $10,000,000 than any law firm in California history. Over 99% success rate. Recovered over $5 billion for clients since 2010. Serves Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, Pasadena, Long Beach, Glendale, Burbank, and surrounding areas.
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas)
Contact: (310) 928-6200 | https://www.panish.law/motorcycle-accidents.html
Consultation: Free confidential case evaluation available, contingency fee arrangement
2. Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, sportbike accidents, cruiser accidents, touring motorcycle accidents, off-road motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, hit-and-run accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, lane splitting accidents, unsafe lane change accidents, accidents caused by poor road conditions, equipment failures involving semi-trucks, no-contact accidents, property damage claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, traffic collision report analysis, private investigator dispatch for witness canvassing, surveillance footage collection, preservation of evidence letters, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation
Background: Founded in Los Angeles almost 50 years ago. The firm handles more California motorcycle accident claims than any other firm. Dedicated members of the rider community attending rallies and club events throughout California. Attorneys are motorcyclists themselves who understand rider culture and unique challenges.
Location: Los Angeles, CA (headquarters)
Contact: https://russbrown.com/los-angeles-motorcycle-accident-lawyers/
Consultation: Free consultation and advice available, even for cases that may not appear favorable
3. The Dominguez Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with cars and trucks, hit-and-run accidents, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents caused by drunk drivers, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, accidents involving uninsured motorists
Legal Services: Accident investigation with in-house investigators, evidence preservation, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expert consultation, lost wage recovery
Background: Over 35 years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for accident victims. Legal team of over 130 professionals. 96% success rate. Serves clients regardless of immigration status.
Location: Los Angeles, CA (serving all of Southern California)
Contact: (800) 818-1818 | https://dominguezfirm.com/injury-lawyer/motorcycle-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no upfront fees)
4. Wilshire Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents involving uninsured and underinsured motorists, accidents caused by road hazards
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident scene documentation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage calculation
Background: Founded in 2007. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients. Represents riders involved in motorcycle accidents daily. California personal injury law firm with extensive knowledge of California comparative negligence law.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact: https://wilshirelawfirm.com/los-angeles-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no legal fees unless client wins)
5. Rose, Klein & Marias LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, accidents caused by road hazards, accidents involving defective motorcycle parts, accidents caused by distracted or negligent drivers, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, negligence analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, case valuation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims
Background: Over 80 combined years of experience helping motor vehicle accident victims. The firm is committed to both obtaining compensation for clients and furthering the laws that apply to motorcycle accident cases. Serves Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact: (213) 626-0571 | https://www.rkmlaw.net/los-angeles-motorcycle-accident-attorney/
Consultation: Free consultation available, no costs upfront
Lane Splitting, Multi-Vehicle Fault and Fatal Crash Claims in Los Angeles Motorcycle Accidents
A Los Angeles motorcycle crash in stop-and-go traffic can involve more than one driver. California law then answers three questions: what the Vehicle Code says about riding between lanes, how fault is split among several defendants, and who may sue if the rider dies.
What the Vehicle Code Says About Lane Splitting
Vehicle Code § 21658.1 defines lane splitting as driving a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, on divided and undivided streets, roads or highways, and allows the California Highway Patrol to develop educational guidelines in consultation with listed agencies and a motorcycle safety organization. The section contains no speed rule; Vehicle Code § 22350 bars any driver from exceeding a reasonable or prudent speed for the conditions.
Several Liability for Noneconomic Damages
Civil Code § 1431.2(a) makes each defendant’s liability for noneconomic damages several only, in direct proportion to that defendant’s percentage of fault, with a separate judgment against each. Economic damages are defined in subdivision (b) as objectively verifiable monetary losses, such as medical expenses and loss of earnings.
Who May Sue for a Death
Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 gives the claim to the surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and issue of deceased children, or, if there are none, those entitled to the estate by intestate succession, and also to listed dependents; the personal representative may assert it on their behalf.
Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) adopted pure comparative negligence. For example, imagine $250,000 in damages and 15 percent of the fault on the rider: the recovery would be $212,500.
Does the helmet rule apply to passengers?
Yes. Vehicle Code § 27803 requires the driver and any passenger on a motorcycle operated on the highways to wear a safety helmet meeting § 27802, and makes it unlawful to ride as a passenger if the driver or any passenger is not wearing one.
What are the deadlines?
Two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 for a suit against another driver. Against a public entity, a claim is due within six months after accrual under Government Code § 911.2, and suit within six months after a written rejection notice, or two years from accrual without one, under § 945.6.