Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in San Diego, California
The firms in this guide
1. Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, hit-and-run accidents, accidents caused by distracted drivers, fatal motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: San Diego-based personal injury firm with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Understanding of California’s unique lane splitting laws and comparative negligence rules.
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact: https://www.jurewitz.com/san-diego-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
2. The Law Office of David P. Shapiro
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, lane splitting accidents, accidents on San Diego highways and freeways, accidents caused by negligent drivers, hit-and-run accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, negligence analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: San Diego personal injury attorney with experience representing motorcycle accident victims throughout San Diego County. Familiar with local roads and traffic patterns.
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact: https://www.davidpshapirolaw.com/san-diego-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Arash Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, Uber accidents, brain injury accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, 18-wheeler and big rig accidents, delivery truck accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, brain injuries
Legal Services: Automobile accident and personal injury claims, explanation of rights and legal options after an injury, representation in several languages including Spanish
Background: Arash Law is a California accident firm with a San Diego office in Mission Valley and offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and other California cities.
Location: 8880 Rio San Diego Dr #800, San Diego, CA 92108
Contact: (619) 431-4840 | https://arashlaw.com/san-diego/
Consultation: Free consultation, no win, no fee (case costs may apply)
4. Mission Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, brain injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, product liability, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Legal Services: Personal injury claims for accident victims, free consultation, contingency fee representation
Background: Mission Personal Injury Lawyers is a San Diego personal injury firm with a main office on Fourth Avenue, a Chula Vista office and an office in El Paso, Texas.
Location: 3666 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Contact: (619) 777-5555 | https://missionlegalcenter.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee
5. HHJ Trial Attorneys
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, accidents caused by negligent drivers, accidents involving commercial vehicles, fatal motorcycle accidents, accidents requiring litigation
Legal Services: Accident investigation, trial preparation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: San Diego trial law firm with experience taking motorcycle accident cases to verdict. Serves San Diego County and Southern California.
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact: https://www.hhjtrialattorneys.com/san-diego-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available
Uninsured Riders, Policy Changes and Fatal Crash Claims in San Diego Motorcycle Accidents
In a San Diego motorcycle crash, insurance shapes the claim from two sides: the rider’s own insurance status can limit recoverable damages, and the rider’s policy may or may not still carry uninsured motorist coverage. A separate statute governs who may sue when a rider dies.
The Uninsured Rider Rule and Its Exception
Civil Code § 3333.4(a) bars noneconomic losses in a motor vehicle case for an injured owner whose vehicle was not insured as required, an injured operator who cannot establish financial responsibility, and an injured person convicted of DUI for that crash. Under subdivision (c), an uninsured owner injured by a motorist convicted of DUI for that crash is not barred from recovering noneconomic losses.
Whether Uninsured Motorist Coverage Was Removed
Under Insurance Code § 11580.2, the insurer and a named insured may, by written agreement in the statutory form, delete uninsured motorist coverage completely, delete it for named drivers, or set it below the required amount but not below the Vehicle Code § 16056 limits.
Helmets
Vehicle Code § 27803 requires the driver and any passenger on a motorcycle operated on the highways to wear a safety helmet meeting § 27802, fastened with its straps and of a size that fits securely.
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.
San Diego Motorcycle Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was mostly at fault?
Yes. Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) adopted pure comparative negligence. For example, imagine $100,000 in damages and 60 percent of the fault on the rider: the recovery would be $40,000.
How does the Vehicle Code define lane splitting?
Vehicle Code § 21658.1 defines it 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.
How long do I have to sue?
Two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 for injury or death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect. A claim against a public entity must first be presented within six months after accrual under Government Code § 911.2.