Motorcycle Accidents
A subtype of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Start your free evaluation
A licensed California lawyer responds right away · free consult, nothing to pay until you're compensated
About Motorcycle Accidents
California is one of the few states that legally permits lane splitting, making motorcycle accident liability more complex. Motorcycle riders are far more vulnerable to serious injury than car occupants. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the rider, so hiring an experienced attorney is critical to obtaining fair compensation. Recoverable damages include medical expenses, gear replacement, and motorcycle repair or replacement costs.
Frequently asked questions
I was lane splitting — can I still recover?
Yes. California is the only state that expressly allows motorcycle lane splitting (Veh. Code §21658.1, since 2016). Lawful lane splitting is not itself fault; even if you're assigned partial fault, pure comparative negligence still lets you recover proportionally.
Does not wearing a helmet hurt my claim?
California requires helmets (Veh. Code §27803). Not wearing one generally doesn't affect claims for non-head injuries — but for head or neck injuries, insurers will argue comparative fault to reduce that part of the recovery.
How do I deal with insurer bias against riders?
The "reckless biker" stereotype is real and used to inflate your share of fault. The answer is hard evidence: dashcam or helmet-cam footage, witnesses, scene photos, and accident reconstruction when needed.
What's different about motorcycle-accident compensation?
The legal rules match car accidents, but riders have no vehicle protection, so injuries are typically more severe — medical costs and non-economic damages loom larger, and your own UM/UIM coverage matters more often.
General information, not legal advice.
Other cases in this category
Motor Vehicle Accidents lawyers by city
Get a free case evaluation
Injured in California? Share a few details and we'll connect you with a California attorney.