California is home to some of the most beautiful—and busiest—roads in the country, making it a popular place for motorcyclists. However, riding a motorcycle comes with significant risks. Each year, thousands of riders are seriously injured or killed in California motorcycle accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle crash, knowing your legal rights and the steps to take immediately after an accident can make all the difference. California Trial Law Group, PC is here to protect injured riders and help them get the compensation they deserve.
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but many are the result of another driver’s negligence. The most frequent causes include:
Unlike car drivers, motorcyclists have little protection in a crash. Even a minor collision can lead to severe or life-changing injuries.
Motorcycle riders are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries, including:
The physical, emotional, and financial impacts of these injuries can be devastating. That’s why it’s critical to seek legal help as soon as possible.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, follow these steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
If your accident was caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for:
If the crash resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support.
California is a comparative fault state, meaning fault can be shared among multiple parties. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies may try to shift blame onto the motorcyclist. That’s why it’s vital to have an experienced attorney who can gather evidence, interview witnesses, work with accident reconstruction experts, and aggressively advocate for your side.
California law requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear approved helmets. While not wearing a helmet doesn’t automatically disqualify you from compensation, it can impact the amount you can recover if head injuries are involved.
All motorcyclists in California must also carry minimum liability insurance, but many drivers do not have enough coverage to pay for serious injuries. An attorney can help you explore all available insurance options, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. For claims against government entities, the deadline may be much shorter.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
You may be able to recover through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. An attorney can help you explore all options.
Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, but your compensation for head injuries may be reduced if not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident in California, don’t face the aftermath alone. California Trial Law Group, PC is dedicated to helping riders recover full and fair compensation. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step toward justice and recovery.
We operate on a Zero Fee Guarantee for personal injury and employment-related cases. This means that you don't pay any attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. In other words, if we don't win your case, you don't owe us anything. This is a common practice for plaintiff law firms and ensures that our clients can pursue justice without worrying about upfront costs.
Additionally, the cost of a consultation is free for personal injury and employment-related matters. You should feel confident contacting our firm to learn more about your case and how we can help you seek compensation for your injuries or employment issues.
Most of the attorney fees and litigation costs, when the case is successful, are typically covered by the money recovered from your case. However, it's important to note that if a client decides to terminate our services before a resolution is reached, they may be responsible for any attorney fees and litigation costs incurred up to that point. No recovery, no charge is our standard practice, and we are committed to providing you with the best legal representation without financial risk.
When selecting a legal professional to represent your case, it is important to find someone with high credentials, worthy memberships, and a proven record of obtaining success for clients. These are indicators of an attorney's dedication and skills. At California Trial Law Group, we hold membership on the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, California Employment Lawyers Association, and various other organizations dedicated to representing injured individuals and employees. Our lawyers have received high marks by clients and peers on Superlawyers and AVVO.
Lawsuits are subject to California's statute of limitations; a set of laws that limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Below are some common deadlines to watch for:
You must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident or the date you discovered the injury. If you are filing suit against a government entity for personal injury, you only have six months.
Aggrieved ex-employees who have been wrongfully terminated must file their claims within two years of termination. Even though California is an at-will state, employers cannot fire their employees for an illegal reason, such as their ethnicity, age, or gender.
Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) discrimination claims are a two-step process because claimants have one year to file administrative complaints under the FEHA, and then an additional year to file a lawsuit after they receive a right-to-sue letter.
California Family Rights Act (CFRA) Retaliation Claims: Similar to FEHA, a person loses the right to file a lawsuit one year after the CFRA agency sends a right-to-sue letter.
Most unpaid wage claims are subject to a three-year statute of limitations. Under the Unfair Competition Law (UCL), the time period is extended to four years for unpaid wage claims under the Unfair Competition Law, while wage statement claims must be brought within one year.
If you were injured in a preventable accident or in connection with your employment, then you likely have reasonable cause for a claim. By contacting our firm, we can help you make this determination.
Speak with a lawyer immediately after you seek medical help for your injury. Get the medical attention that you need, then contact an attorney about your legal rights and options. Your health is the most important thing, but your future, finances, and rights are important too.
The value of a personal injury claim or lawsuit depends on a multitude of factors: the extent of your injuries, your medical expenses, your emotional damages, and more. If you missed work because of an injury, you can seek additional compensation for lost wages. Schedule a consultation with our firm to learn more about your legal opportunities after an accident.
The duration of any case is subject the particular circumstances of that case. We will be better able to answer this question after reviewing your case and determining how to best move forward. You can call our firm today for a free consultation.
Our firm is dedicated to your case and will take the time necessary to ensure that you receive all that you deserve, even if it does take years. We will take care of as much of the process as possible, so you don't have to lose valuable time and can focus on your medical treatment and recovering.
Many insurance companies have a base equation that they use to calculate settlement offers. Unfortunately, this initial amount is usually insufficient because insurance adjustors usually try to save the insurance companies money . Thus, victims should not seek to close their case too quickly, but consult a personal injury lawyer to receive a fair offer. California Trial Law Group ensure that the insurance companies treat our client's fairly, that they not undervalue your case, and that you will ultimately receive a favorable settlement.
You may receive compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of earnings, property damage, and for other expenses you incurred. In the case of wrongful death, the family may receive an amount to cover the loss of future income as well as loss of companionship. As part of our service, we will discuss in detail an amount of compensation that you deserve and that we will fight for to obtain.
No. Many cases are settled out of court. Our firm, however, is well prepared to take a defendant to court if they do not give our client the amount that we feel our client is entitled to.
We are a firm dedicated to serving the needs of our clients and your best interest come first and foremost. When you are looking for reliable, unyielding legal representation there is no better firm to turn to than California Trial Law Group.