1. Haig B. Kazandjian Lawyers APC
Practice Focus: Personal injury litigation, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, tenant rights, employment law
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, intersection accidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, contingency fee representation
Background: Haig B. Kazandjian graduated from Southwestern Law School in 2011. He is licensed to practice in California (State Bar No. 278622) and has been in practice since 2011. He completed a Judicial Clerkship Program through the American Bar Association in Boston and served as a clerk for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He has been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2017 through 2026.
Location: 801 N Brand Blvd, Suite 970, Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: (818) 696-2306 | https://hbklawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fees unless recovery is obtained)
2. Law Offices of Weber and Weber
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, auto accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, product liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with motor vehicles, lane splitting accidents, road hazard accidents, drunk driver collisions, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash injuries
Legal Services: Free case consultation, accident investigation, evidence collection, witness interviews, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, property damage claims
Background: Clifford R. Weber (State Bar No. 67960) has over 20 years of experience in personal injury law. Angelica K. Weber (State Bar No. 291811) graduated in the top ten percent of her class at Southwestern Law School. The firm has collected more than $20 million in settlements and jury verdicts for clients. The firm was established in 1998 and serves clients throughout Southern California.
Location: 221 E Glenoaks Blvd, Suite 107, Glendale, CA 91207
Contact: (818) 502-9200 | https://weber4law.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
3. Hartounian, APLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car accidents, drunk driving motorcycle collisions, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle crashes, left-turn accidents, head-on collisions, fatal motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputation injuries, burn injuries
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, punitive damage claims
Background: Aroutin Hartounian, Esq. (State Bar No. 290956) earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School after graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA. He has been licensed since 2013 and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles and the Board of Directors of Unified Young Armenians. He is fluent in Armenian and Farsi.
Location: 1515 W. Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201
Contact: (818) 463-1917 | [email protected] | https://www.hartounian.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
4. Big Ben Lawyers
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, lane change accidents, intersection motorcycle crashes, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver collisions, environmental condition accidents, defective vehicle accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures
Legal Services: Free case consultation, liability investigation, multiple party identification, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: The firm maintains a Glendale office and focuses on personal injury cases throughout Southern California. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
Location: 144 N Glendale Ave, Suite 250, Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: (818) 423-4878 | https://www.bigbenlawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
5. KJT Law Group
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change collisions, rear-end motorcycle crashes, distracted driver accidents, impaired driver accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, liability determination, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, rights protection, communication management with insurers, case building
Background: The firm has secured more than $100 million for injured clients in California over the last decade. The attorneys take a limited number of cases to dedicate time, resources, and attention to each client. Attorneys personally build cases, negotiate settlements, and try cases themselves without referring cases to other firms.
Location: Glendale, CA (serves Glendale and surrounding areas)
Contact: https://www.kjtlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against government entities must be filed within six months of the injury.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage: Three years from the date of the accident to file a property damage claim.
Fault System: California is a fault-based (tort liability) state. The party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages.
Comparative Negligence: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. An injured motorcyclist can recover damages even if they are partially at fault, but their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. Even a motorcyclist found 99% at fault can recover 1% of their damages.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements (effective January 1, 2025 under SB 1107):
Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
Helmet Laws: California has a universal helmet law (California Vehicle Code Section 27803). All motorcycle riders and passengers must wear DOT-approved helmets at all times, regardless of age or experience.
Eye Protection Requirements: Motorcyclists must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
Lane Splitting Laws: California is one of the few states where lane splitting is legal. California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1 defines lane splitting as driving a motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. The California Highway Patrol recommends not lane splitting when traffic is moving faster than 30 mph and not exceeding surrounding traffic by more than 10 mph.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Riders must obtain an M1 or M2 motorcycle license endorsement. The M1 license covers two-wheel motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and motorized scooters.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have working headlights, taillights, turn signals, at least one mirror providing a 200-foot rear view, a horn audible from a reasonable distance, and handlebars no more than 6 inches above shoulder height.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): California does not require PIP coverage for motorcyclists.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Optional but recommended. Riders can file claims under their own UM/UIM coverage if hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Damage Caps: California has no cap on economic damages. Non-economic damages are capped only in medical malpractice cases, not in motorcycle accident cases.
Helmet Use as Evidence: Failure to wear a helmet can be used as evidence of comparative negligence if head injuries are involved, potentially reducing the compensation award.
Dram Shop Liability: California has limited dram shop liability. Social hosts and establishments can be held liable under specific circumstances for serving alcohol to obviously intoxicated individuals who then cause accidents.
Wrongful Death Claims: Surviving family members have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Eligible claimants include spouses, domestic partners, children, and in some cases, other dependents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
A: In California, you generally have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1). For property damage claims, the deadline is three years. If your accident involved a government entity, such as poor road maintenance by a city or county, you must file an administrative claim within six months of the accident. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation, so consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable.
Q: How does California’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 25% at fault for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $75,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states that bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault, California allows recovery even if you are 99% at fault, though your compensation would be reduced accordingly.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during my Glendale motorcycle accident?
A: Yes, you can still pursue a claim even if you were not wearing a helmet, but it may affect your compensation. California law requires all riders to wear DOT-approved helmets. If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered head injuries, the defense may argue that your injuries were worsened by your failure to wear a helmet, which could reduce your compensation under comparative negligence principles. However, not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar you from recovery, and an attorney can help counter these arguments by analyzing whether a helmet would have prevented or reduced your specific injuries.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in California, and how does it affect liability in motorcycle accidents?
A: Lane splitting is legal in California under Vehicle Code Section 21658.1, making California unique among U.S. states. However, lane splitting must be done safely and prudently. The California Highway Patrol recommends not lane splitting when traffic exceeds 30 mph and not traveling more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic. If you are involved in an accident while lane splitting, liability depends on whether you were splitting lanes safely. Reckless or excessive speed while lane splitting could result in shared fault, reducing your compensation. An experienced attorney can help establish that you were lane splitting safely and that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident.
Q: What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Glendale?
A: California law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and rehabilitation expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In cases involving egregious conduct such as drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available. If a loved one died in a motorcycle accident, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death damages including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.