Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Stockton, California
The firms in this guide
1. Brown & Gessell
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, intersection crashes, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases, road rash injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, comparative negligence analysis under California law
Background: Steven L. Brown has over 20 years of experience in San Joaquin County and is the past President and member of the San Joaquin County Bar Association’s board of directors, and a past member of the American Inn of Courts. Douglas A. Gessell was raised in San Joaquin County and has represented accident victims in Stockton for 12 years. The firm has handled hundreds of accident cases, many involving motorcycles. The attorneys are familiar with California’s motorcycle laws including helmet requirements, lane splitting regulations, and comparative fault rules.
Location: Stockton, CA (San Joaquin County)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.brown-gessell.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
2. Demas Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, intersection crashes, left-turn accidents, hit-and-run accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record review, lost wage recovery, future earning capacity analysis, pain and suffering claims, loss of enjoyment of life claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: Demas Law Group has over 30 years of experience representing California accident victims. The firm includes trial lawyers who have successfully represented clients in all types of personal injury claims. The firm operates on Three Core Commitments: Commitment to clients, Compassion in understanding the pain experienced, and Communication throughout the case. The attorneys understand how insurance companies operate and handle all communications with adjusters.
Location: Stockton, CA (with main office in Sacramento)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.injury-attorneys.com
Consultation: Free case review offered. Contingency fee basis.
3. Venardi Zurada LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, defective motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, municipal liability cases, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases, amputation injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, product liability analysis, municipal claims against cities for road defects, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, medical record review, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: Venardi Zurada LLP represents motorcycle accident victims in Stockton and throughout California. The firm handles cases against negligent drivers, vehicle manufacturers, mechanics, and municipalities. The attorneys understand California product liability laws and can pursue claims against manufacturers for defective motorcycle components. The firm also handles claims against local governments for improper road maintenance or inadequate signage.
Location: Stockton, CA
Contact: (833) VZ FOR ME | https://www.vzlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free confidential consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
4. The Drake Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, left-turn accidents, intersection crashes, distracted driving accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases, fractures
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, comparative fault analysis
Background: The Drake Law Firm has years of experience handling motorcycle accident claims throughout California. The attorneys are well-versed in California’s specific laws and issues that impact motorcycle cases, including helmet laws, lane-splitting laws, and the complexities of proving fault in multi-vehicle accidents. The legal team provides dedicated and compassionate representation with personalized attention and strategies tailored to each client’s specific circumstances.
Location: Stockton, CA (serving San Joaquin County)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.drakelawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
5. Redkey Gordon Law Corp
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, truck accidents, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, rear-end collisions, hit-and-run accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases, road rash injuries, property damage claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, comparative negligence defense
Background: Redkey Gordon Law Corp serves all of San Joaquin County and surrounding communities including Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, and Tracy. The firm has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injury victims across California. The attorneys take a detailed approach to every motorcycle accident case, reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and working with medical and reconstruction experts to determine fault and prove damages. The firm prepares every claim with attention to protecting client rights and is ready to present cases in court when fair settlements cannot be reached.
Location: Stockton, CA (San Joaquin County)
Contact: (209) 267-4589 | https://www.redkeygordonlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
Hit-and-Run Coverage, Crash Reports and Fault in Stockton Motorcycle Claims
When the driver who hit a Stockton rider leaves, the rider’s own uninsured motorist coverage can pay only if statutory conditions are met within days. A street or highway crash with injury also requires a DMV report within 10 days, except for a vehicle owned, leased or directed by a government.
The Unknown Driver Conditions
Insurance Code § 11580.2 covers bodily injury caused by an unknown owner or operator only if the injury arose out of physical contact with the insured or the vehicle the insured was occupying, the crash was reported within 24 hours to the city police department (or, in unincorporated territory, the county sheriff or the local California Highway Patrol headquarters), and a sworn statement was filed with the insurer within 30 days.
The DMV Report
Vehicle Code § 16000(a) requires the driver of a motor vehicle in a crash on a street or highway that causes more than $1,000 in property damage to any one person, or any injury or death, to report it to the DMV within 10 days, personally or through an insurance agent, broker or legal representative, naming any person complaining of injury.
A Fatal Crash
Vehicle Code § 20004 requires a driver involved in a crash resulting in death, when no traffic or police officer is at the scene, to report it without delay to the nearest California Highway Patrol office or police authority with the information § 20003 requires.
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 fitting securely.
Stockton Motorcycle Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) adopted pure comparative negligence. For example, imagine $150,000 in damages and 20 percent of the fault on the rider: the recovery would be $120,000.
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 the City of Stockton or another public entity must first be presented within six months after accrual under Government Code § 911.2.