1. Dolan Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputation injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, defective helmet claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, biomechanics expert analysis, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Attorney Chris Dolan is an avid motorcyclist who has logged more than 250,000 miles across five countries on four bikes. The Dolan Law Firm has successfully represented over 100 motorcycle crash victims and recovered over $25 million for clients injured in motorcycle crashes or for families of those who died. The firm has offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles and is recognized as one of the leading motorcycle accident law firms in California. The firm takes challenging cases to trial and has obtained some of the largest verdicts and settlements in California.
Location: 1438 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Contact: (415) 421-2800 | https://www.dolanlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee basis
2. Choulos, Choulos & Wyle
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident scene investigation, evidence preservation, eyewitness testimony gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, loss of future earning capacity, wrongful death claims
Background: Both partners at Choulos, Choulos & Wyle are avid lifelong motorcyclists who understand the culture and risks of motorcycle riding. California has over 850,000 registered motorcycles, more than any other state. The firm provides home or hospital consultations for clients who cannot travel due to injuries. The firm has extensive experience handling complex motorcycle injury litigation throughout the Bay Area.
Location: 275 Battery Street, Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA 94111
Contact: (415) 432-7290 | https://www.ccwlawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation, will meet at home or hospital if needed
3. The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, intersection accidents, scooter accidents, electric bicycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, comparative negligence defense
Background: Scott Righthand has been a motorcycle rider since age 14 and brings firsthand understanding of how vehicle operators ignore motorcycles and compromise rider safety. The firm has over three decades of experience and has secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injury victims. Attorney Brittany Rogers also works with clients on motorcycle cases. The firm understands how to defend legal lane splitting and present evidence showing clients operated within California law.
Location: 150 Post Street, Suite 620, San Francisco, CA 94108
Contact: (415) 878-7806 | https://www.righthandfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
4. Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, catastrophic injuries, product liability (defective helmets and highway design)
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, defective helmet claims, dangerous highway design claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, forensic evidence analysis, witness interviews, surveillance video retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, loss of consortium claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger has decades of experience representing motorcycle accident victims in San Francisco and throughout California. The firm has achieved significant results including a $4.5 million settlement in a truck vs. motorcycle case and a $1.6 million settlement for head and spinal cord injuries. The firm is skilled at identifying and recovering against all responsible parties, from negligent drivers to designers of defective helmets and highways.
Location: 650 California Street, 26th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108
Contact: (415) 981-7210 | https://www.walkuplawoffice.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
5. Callaway & Wolf
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, mild traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Boone Callaway is among a select group of motorcycle accident attorneys in San Francisco recognized as a Super Lawyer (awarded to less than 5% of eligible attorneys), holds an AV Preeminent rating (achieved by fewer than 10% of attorneys), and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an exclusive organization of fewer than 8,000 trial lawyers nationwide. Mr. Callaway served as 2021 President of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA). The firm has won significant verdicts including $1.2 million for a motorcyclist with mild traumatic brain injury and $900,000 for a cyclist in a left-turn accident.
Location: 580 California Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104
Contact: (415) 541-0300 | https://www.callawayandwolf.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the motorcycle accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Claims against government entities require filing a notice within six months of the incident.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death: Two years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault State: California is an at-fault (tort) state. The person responsible for causing the accident is financially liable for damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. An injured motorcyclist can recover damages even if they were 99% at fault, though compensation is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are 40% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would receive $60,000.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident. Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident. Riders without minimum insurance face driver’s license suspension for one year if involved in a collision.
Helmet Laws: California has a universal helmet law under Vehicle Code 27803. ALL motorcycle riders and passengers, regardless of age, must wear DOT-approved helmets meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. Fines for violations can be up to $250 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.
Eye Protection Requirements: Eye protection is not required by law, but is strongly recommended. Single earphone earbuds are permitted; dual earphones are prohibited.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering Laws: California is the ONLY state where lane splitting is explicitly legal under California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1 (effective January 1, 2017). The California Highway Patrol recommends: lane splitting only when traffic moves at 30 mph or slower, not exceeding surrounding traffic speed by more than 10 mph, avoiding lane splitting near large vehicles, and being aware of drivers’ blind spots. Intentionally blocking a lane-splitting motorcyclist is illegal (VC 22400), as is opening a vehicle door to impede a rider (VC 22517).
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Riders must obtain a Class M1 (motorcycles) or M2 (motorized bicycles/mopeds) endorsement on their California driver’s license. Riders under 21 must complete a California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) course. Riders 21 and older may complete the CMSP or pass a riding skills test at the DMV. A vision test is required for all applicants.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: DOT-approved safety helmet for rider and passengers. Right and left rearview mirrors. Motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1973 must have working turn signals. Proper exhaust systems. Passenger footrests and seats required if carrying a passenger. Motorcycles towing trailers cannot exceed 55 mph and must stay in the right-most lane.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Not required but strongly recommended. Protects motorcyclists injured by drivers without insurance or with insufficient coverage.
Damage Caps: California has no caps on economic or non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. Medical malpractice cases have different rules under MICRA.
Dram Shop Liability: California has limited dram shop liability. Social hosts who serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated adults are generally not liable; however, serving alcohol to minors creates liability.
Wrongful Death Claims: Two-year statute of limitations from the date of death. Eligible claimants include surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and other dependents.
Helmet Use as Evidence: Because California has a universal helmet law, not wearing a helmet can be used as evidence of negligence and significantly reduce compensation through comparative negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
A1: In California, you have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death. Property damage claims have a three-year statute of limitations. If your accident involved a California government employee or entity (such as a city, county, or state agency responsible for road maintenance), you must file a government claim within six months of the incident before you can file a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines typically bars you from seeking compensation.
Q2: Is lane splitting legal in California?
A2: Yes, California is the only state in the United States where lane splitting is explicitly legal. California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1, effective January 1, 2017, defines and permits lane splitting. The California Highway Patrol recommends lane splitting only when traffic is moving at 30 mph or slower and not exceeding surrounding traffic by more than 10 mph. Riders should avoid lane splitting near large vehicles and be aware of drivers’ blind spots. Additionally, California law makes it illegal for drivers to intentionally block a lane-splitting motorcyclist or open a vehicle door to impede a rider. However, reckless lane splitting can still result in partial fault under comparative negligence.
Q3: Does California require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets?
A3: Yes, California has a universal helmet law under Vehicle Code 27803. All motorcycle riders and passengers, regardless of age, must wear a DOT-approved helmet meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 whenever operating or riding on a motorcycle. There are no exceptions based on age, experience, or insurance coverage. Violations can result in fines up to $250 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Not wearing a helmet can also significantly reduce your compensation in an accident claim through comparative negligence, as you would be considered partially at fault for any head injuries sustained.
Q4: How does California’s pure comparative negligence affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A4: California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 70% at fault for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, you can still recover $30,000. This is different from states with modified comparative negligence where being 50% or 51% at fault bars recovery entirely. However, insurance companies will try to attribute as much fault as possible to motorcyclists to reduce payouts, making experienced legal representation important to protect your rights.
Q5: What are the minimum insurance requirements for motorcycles in California?
A5: California requires all motorcycle operators to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident (15/30/5). If you are involved in a collision without at least minimum insurance coverage, your driver’s license can be suspended for one year. While these are the legal minimums, they often prove insufficient in serious accidents. Motorcyclists are strongly encouraged to carry higher liability limits and add uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, collision coverage, and medical payments coverage for better protection.