A motorcycle accident in Los Angeles can affect you in countless ways. Medical bills, lost income, and painful injuries can all take a toll, and you might not know what comes next. What matters is acting quickly to protect your interests, or you’ll face a longer, more painful, and more expensive recovery.
At Dordick Law Corporation, we understand what you’re going through after a motorcycle crash. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have helped many injured riders recover the money they need to heal fully. Insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries or blame you for the crash, but we won’t let that happen. We know how to investigate motorcycle collisions to identify who’s responsible, build strong cases, and fight for maximum compensation.
Let us handle the legal side of your motorcycle accident claim while you focus on healing. Call (310) 551-0949 now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers.
Why You Need a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney
You may face significant challenges after a motorcycle crash, including steep medical bills, lost income, and pressure from insurance companies. You might also be dealing with pain, mobility issues, and emotional stress. Furthermore, insurance adjusters often try to blame motorcyclists for crashes even when motorcyclists don’t cause a collision. Proving what really happened is tough without proper legal support.
That’s why working with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney is essential. A lawyer knows how to protect your rights and push back against unfair tactics from insurers. Your motorcycle accident attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and handle all communication with insurance companies. They can also calculate the full value of your claim, including your future medical costs and lost earnings. With an attorney on your side, you can focus on healing while your legal team fights for compensation. You don’t have to face the process alone—an experienced lawyer can make all the difference.
Common Causes of Los Angeles Motorcycle Crashes
Many Los Angeles motorcyclists suffer injuries because drivers or others act carelessly and cause accidents. Motorcycle accident attorneys refer to this type of behavior as “negligence,” and it’s the basis of most personal injury claims. Some common types of negligence that cause motorcycle crashes include:
- Failure to yield – Many crashes happen when drivers don’t yield the right of way to motorcyclists at intersections. For example, a driver might run a stop sign and collide with a motorcyclist coming from another direction.
- Unsafe lane changes – Drivers often don’t check their blind spots or signal before changing lanes, causing them to cut off motorcycles.
- Left-turn accidents – Cars turning left at intersections frequently misjudge a motorcyclist’s speed or fail to see them entirely. These errors can cause a driver to turn in front of a motorcyclist when the rider doesn’t have time to avoid crashing.
- Following too closely – Tailgating gives drivers little time to react if a motorcyclist slows down or stops suddenly.
- Speeding – High speeds reduce drivers’ reaction times, making it harder for them to maneuver safely and avoid collisions. Speeding also increases the impact force in a collision, making catastrophic injuries more likely.
- Distracted driving – Drivers who text, eat, or use GPS may not notice nearby motorcycles.
- Driving under the influence – Impaired drivers pose a deadly threat to everyone on the road, especially motorcyclists because they have less physical protection in crashes.
- Opening car doors into traffic – A parked driver may open a door directly in the path of an oncoming motorcycle and cause a crash.
- Poor road conditions – Potholes, uneven pavement, or debris in the road can be dangerous and cause a rider to lose control.
- Defective motorcycle parts – Mechanical failures, like brake or tire defects, can lead to severe crashes.
Who’s Legally Responsible for an LA Motorcycle Accident?
California uses a fault-based liability system for motorcycle crashes, meaning you must prove someone else caused the accident to recover compensation from them. That means one early step in a motorcycle accident claim is identifying who caused the accident (and your resulting injuries). The parties who might be responsible for a motorcycle crash include:
- The other driver – A car or truck driver may be liable if they caused a crash because they were speeding, distracted, or careless in some other way.
- A commercial vehicle company – If the crash involved a commercial vehicle or driver, their employer may be liable for the driver’s careless actions.
- A government agency – State and local governments are often responsible for road maintenance and can be liable for crashes resulting from poor road conditions.
- A parts manufacturer – Defective motorcycle parts, like brakes or tires, often contribute to accidents. In these situations, the company responsible for the defect may be liable for the crash.
- A repair shop – A mechanic may be responsible for a motorcycle accident if they made mistakes during repairs.
- A bar or restaurant – California law lets crash victims sue bars, liquor stores, and other businesses that serve obviously intoxicated minors. (These lawsuits assume the intoxicated minor caused the crash.) Another state law says victims can sue social hosts if the host knowingly provided alcohol to a minor who caused a crash.
- Multiple parties – There are situations where multiple parties share responsibility for a motorcycle crash. For example, a vehicle defect can cause a motorcyclist to lose control when they swerve to avoid a drunk driver. In these situations, injured motorcyclists may need to file claims against each liable party to recover full compensation.
What To Do After a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident
The moments after a motorcycle crash are scary and chaotic, but it’s crucial to remain as calm as possible. A misstep at this stage could derail your legal case and cost you dearly. Here’s what to do once you call 911 and seek medical attention:
- Follow your treatment plan – Attend all follow-up appointments while following your doctor’s advice. Any gaps in your care can hurt your legal case.
- Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurer – Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that weakens your case. Don’t talk to them without speaking to a lawyer first.
- Keep records – Save your medical bills, receipts, repair estimates, pay stubs, and anything else related to the crash and your injuries. These documents can help illustrate the full extent of your physical injuries and other losses.
- Limit what you post online – It’s easy for insurers to find your social media posts and use them against you. Therefore, avoid sharing photos, updates, or details about your accident or recovery online.
- Get a copy of the police report – You’ll likely need the police crash report for your claim. Once you get a copy, review the report for accuracy and share it with your lawyer.
- Speak with an attorney – A lawyer can protect your rights, gather evidence, and help you pursue full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Compensation in Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Cases
We can’t promise any specific compensation amounts for your injuries. However, we will fight for a settlement or trial award that reflects all your losses, including compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property
Deadline to File a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
You typically have two years after a motorcycle accident to sue whoever caused your injuries. However, we recommend you talk to a lawyer right away so they can start building your case. Otherwise, critical evidence might disappear, keeping you from recovering the money you need.
Contact Our Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Dordick Law Corporation has represented injured Los Angeles residents for over 20 years and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We can handle all the legal work in your case and see that the liable party fairly compensates you. Call (310) 551-0949 now or complete our contact form for a free case review.
