1. Callahan & Blaine
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, product liability, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, left-turn crashes, intersection accidents, lane splitting accidents, highway motorcycle crashes, drunk driver collisions, hit-and-run cases
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, insurance negotiation, trial representation, appellate work, damages recovery
Background: Callahan & Blaine has over 700 years of combined legal experience and has recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. The firm has attorneys admitted to practice in California state and federal courts and handles complex motorcycle accident litigation.
Location: 3 Hutton Centre Dr Suite 900, Santa Ana, CA 92707 (serves Irvine)
Contact: (714) 241-4444 | https://www.callahan-law.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Easton & Easton, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, lane splitting crashes, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, drunk driver collisions, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Case investigation, police report analysis, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, settlement representation, trial litigation, medical expense recovery
Background: Easton & Easton has recovered over $10 million for clients in the past five years and has been recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a leading personal injury firm. The attorneys are licensed to practice in California.
Location: Irvine, CA (Orange County)
Contact: (949) 208-1100 | https://www.easton-easton.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no fee unless recovery)
3. Avrek Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, lane splitting accidents, intersection crashes, highway accidents, drunk driver collisions, distracted driving accidents
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiation, trial representation, damages recovery
Background: Avrek Law Firm serves motorcycle accident victims throughout Orange County, including Irvine. The firm handles personal injury cases from initial consultation through trial and has offices serving Southern California.
Location: Irvine, CA
Contact: (949) 529-4589 | https://www.avrek.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, lane splitting crashes, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive case evaluation, accident investigation, insurance negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation
Background: Hanning & Sacchetto serves injury victims in Orange County and throughout Southern California. The firm has experience with motorcycle accident claims and personal injury litigation.
Location: Santa Ana, CA (serves Irvine)
Contact: (714) 361-1654 | https://www.hanningandsacchetto.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
5. Neale & Fhima, APC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, vehicle accidents, insurance claims
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, lane splitting accidents, intersection crashes, highway accidents, hit-and-run cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence collection, insurance negotiation, settlement representation, trial litigation, damages recovery
Background: Neale & Fhima has over 40 years of combined experience representing injury victims in Orange County. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases from investigation through trial.
Location: Irvine, CA
Contact: (949) 288-6512 | https://www.orangecountyinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations: California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1). For claims against government entities, you must file an administrative claim within six months of the accident. Missing these deadlines will bar your claim.
Comparative Negligence: California follows pure comparative negligence. You can recover damages even if you are 99% at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. This is more favorable to plaintiffs than the modified comparative negligence used in some states.
Helmet Law: California has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets at all times while riding (California Vehicle Code Section 27803). Failure to wear a helmet is a traffic violation.
Lane Splitting: California is the only state that has formally legalized lane splitting (California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1). The California Highway Patrol provides safety guidelines recommending that lane splitting not occur when traffic exceeds 30-40 mph and that the speed differential between the motorcycle and surrounding traffic should not exceed 10 mph.
Lane Splitting and Liability: While lane splitting is legal, it may still be considered in determining liability if an accident occurs. Safe lane splitting practices are important for protecting your claim.
Eye Protection: California requires motorcyclists to wear eye protection or have a windscreen on the motorcycle.
Insurance Requirements: California requires motorcycle liability insurance with minimum coverage of $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage (as of 2025, minimums have increased from prior years).
Motorcycle Licensing: Operators must have a valid Class M1 license (for any motorcycle) or Class M2 license (for motorized bicycles/mopeds).
Accident Statistics: California has over 900,000 registered motorcycles, the most of any state. Orange County experiences over 1,300 motorcycle crashes annually and is among the most dangerous counties for motorcyclists. California reports approximately 529 motorcycle deaths annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Irvine, California?
California law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from motorcycle accidents. The clock starts from the date of the accident. For claims against government entities (such as accidents involving government vehicles or dangerous road conditions on public property), you must file an administrative claim within six months. Failing to meet these deadlines will permanently bar your claim. Consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is essential.
How does California’s pure comparative negligence rule work in motorcycle accident cases?
California uses pure comparative negligence, which is more plaintiff-friendly than the modified comparative negligence used in many states. You can recover damages even if you are primarily at fault for the accident. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 70% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would still recover $30,000. Insurance companies will still attempt to maximize your percentage of fault to reduce their payout.
Is lane splitting legal in California, and how does it affect accident claims?
California is the only state that has formally legalized lane splitting under Vehicle Code Section 21658.1. However, lane splitting must be done safely. The California Highway Patrol recommends not lane splitting when traffic exceeds 30-40 mph and keeping speed differentials below 10 mph above traffic flow. If an accident occurs while lane splitting, the manner in which it was conducted may be considered in determining fault. Safe lane splitting practices help protect your legal position.
What damages can I recover in a California motorcycle accident case?
If another party’s negligence contributed to your accident, you may recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, future medical costs, diminished earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability). California does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases except medical malpractice. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving malice, oppression, or fraud.
What are common causes of motorcycle accidents in Orange County and Irvine?
Common causes include left-turn collisions where drivers fail to see motorcycles, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, drunk driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, and unsafe lane splitting by motorcyclists. Heavy traffic on Interstate 5, the 405, and Highway 133 contributes to accident frequency. Road conditions, construction zones, and debris also create hazards. Orange County consistently ranks among the most dangerous California counties for motorcyclists.