1. Heiting & Irwin
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, product liability, premises liability, workers’ compensation, burn injuries, uninsured motorists
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, lane splitting accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, road hazard accidents, defective motorcycle parts claims, head-on motorcycle collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident scene documentation, evidence preservation, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, medical bill assistance, property damage recovery, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Established in 1976 with over 100 years of combined experience. James Otto Heiting is a motorcycle rider himself, providing personal understanding of the dangers motorcyclists face. The firm has its own in-house investigator and access to multiple experts for accident reconstruction and evidence preservation. Over $500 million recovered for clients since founding. Located in Riverside serving all of Southern California. Licensed and in good standing with the California State Bar.
Location: 6346 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92506
Contact: (951) 682-6400 | https://www.heitingandirwin.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. No-obligation case evaluation.
2. Bentley & More LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, construction accidents, dog bites, insurance bad faith, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, head injuries from motorcycle crashes, road rash injuries, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, medical provider recommendations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, loss of quality of life damages, wrongful death claims, property damage claims
Background: Personal injury law firm with extensive experience in Riverside County motorcycle accident cases. The firm has secured millions of dollars for past accident clients throughout California. Supports the motorcycle community throughout Riverside County. Licensed and in good standing with the California State Bar. Maintains office in Newport Beach serving Riverside and the Inland Empire.
Location: 4931 Birch Street, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (serving Riverside)
Contact: (949) 870-3800 | https://www.bentleymore.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee basis with no upfront costs.
3. Castillo & Montes Attorneys At Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, catastrophic injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, defective motorcycle equipment accidents, road condition motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation claims
Background: Law firm with over 30 years of experience working with major insurance companies. Has helped over 10,000 accident victims in Riverside and surrounding communities including Corona, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco, Moreno Valley, Grand Terrace, and Temecula. Multi-million dollar recoveries including settlements of $3.225 million, $2.75 million, and $2.36 million. Licensed and in good standing with the California State Bar.
Location: 3600 Lime St, Building 6, Suite 623, Riverside, CA 92501
Contact: (951) 552-9181 | https://www.castillolaw.us
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. No obligation.
4. El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, bicyclist injury claims, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, head injury motorcycle accidents, spinal cord injury motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, comprehensive case assessment, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Trial lawyers with experience handling complex motorcycle accident cases in Riverside and throughout Southern California. Provides honest and open representation with comprehensive case assessment during free consultations. Handles all cases on contingency fee basis. Licensed and in good standing with the California State Bar.
Location: Riverside, California (serving Riverside County and Southern California)
Contact: (213) 985-1120 | https://www.erlawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee basis with no upfront or out-of-pocket fees.
5. Alvandi Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change motorcycle accidents, head injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents, road rash injuries, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, liability assessment, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Personal injury law firm with over $1 billion recovered in compensation for clients. Available around the clock for consultations. Understands California motorcycle regulations including mandatory helmet law and licensing requirements. Licensed and in good standing with the California State Bar.
Location: Riverside, California (serving Riverside and Inland Empire)
Contact: https://www.alvandigroup.com
Consultation: Free consultations available 24/7.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations: California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents, measured from the date of the accident. Property damage claims also have a two-year limitation period.
Fault System: California is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. Injured motorcyclists can pursue claims against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
Comparative Negligence: California follows pure comparative negligence rules. An injured motorcyclist can recover compensation even if partially at fault for the accident, though the recovery amount is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the motorcyclist.
Minimum Insurance Requirements: California requires motorcyclists to carry minimum liability insurance of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5).
Helmet Law: California has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets regardless of age or experience level.
Eye Protection: Riders must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
Lane Splitting: California is currently the only state where lane splitting (riding between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic) is legal. Motorcyclists must lane split in a safe and prudent manner.
Motorcycle Licensing: Riders must obtain a Class M1 or M2 motorcycle license or permit. A motorcycle skills test is required.
Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have at least one mirror, proper lighting, turn signals on motorcycles manufactured after 1973, and properly functioning brakes.
Handlebar Height: Handlebars cannot be positioned so that the rider’s hands are above shoulder height when gripping them.
Passenger Requirements: Passengers can only ride on motorcycles designed for two persons with a proper seat and footrests.
No-Fault/PIP: California is not a no-fault state and does not require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for motorcycles.
Damage Caps: California has no cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available for gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Wrongful Death: California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 allows specified family members to file wrongful death claims within two years of the decedent’s death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
California law provides a two-year window from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This same two-year period applies to property damage claims. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation through the court system. Certain exceptions may extend this deadline, such as when injuries are not immediately discovered or when the injured party is a minor, but consulting an attorney promptly is recommended to protect your legal rights.
How does lane splitting affect liability in a California motorcycle accident case?
California is the only state where lane splitting is explicitly legal. Assembly Bill 51 authorized the California Highway Patrol to develop guidelines for safe lane splitting, which recommend riding no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic and avoiding lane splitting above 30 mph in traffic or when traffic is moving at freeway speeds. If you were lane splitting safely and within guidelines when an accident occurred, the driver who caused the collision would typically be liable. However, if you were splitting lanes recklessly or excessively fast, comparative negligence rules could reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault.
Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during my motorcycle accident?
California has a universal helmet law requiring all riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets. If you were not wearing a helmet and sustained head injuries, the defendant may argue comparative negligence to reduce your compensation. However, the lack of helmet use would only affect damages related to head injuries that could have been prevented by helmet use. You can still recover full compensation for other injuries such as broken bones, road rash, or spinal injuries that would have occurred regardless of helmet use.
What compensation can I recover from a motorcycle accident claim in Riverside?
Motorcycle accident victims in California can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage to your motorcycle, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. California has no caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Additionally, if the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be available.
How long do motorcycle accident cases typically take to resolve in Riverside?
The timeline for resolving a motorcycle accident case varies significantly based on the complexity of the case, severity of injuries, and willingness of insurance companies to negotiate fairly. Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries might settle within a few months. However, cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurance companies can take one to two years or longer, especially if litigation becomes necessary. Most motorcycle accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than trial, but having an attorney prepared to go to court often leads to better settlement offers.