Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Los Angeles | Injured Rider Attorney | Baghikian Law
Personal Injury · Los Angeles
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Motorcycle riders face the worst consequences when other drivers are negligent — and often face unfair bias in the claims process on top of it. Baghikian Law Firm fights for injured riders across Los Angeles County, pursuing full compensation with no upfront costs.
Motorcycle Accidents Cause Some of the Most Serious Injuries on California Roads
Because riders lack the physical protection that enclosed vehicles provide, even a low-speed collision with a car or truck can result in catastrophic injury — traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, road rash, broken bones, or worse. California law gives motorcycle riders the same legal rights as any other motorist, and drivers who fail to see, yield to, or respect riders can be held fully liable for the harm they cause.
At Baghikian Law Firm, we represent injured riders throughout Southern California. We investigate quickly, counter insurance company tactics that unfairly shift blame onto riders, and pursue the full compensation our clients are entitled to under California law.
Causes & Injuries
Common Causes and Injuries in Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Cases
Most serious motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles are caused by other drivers — not the riders themselves. Understanding the common cause patterns helps establish liability and counter the bias riders often face.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers failing to check blind spots before lane changes
Left-turn collisions at intersections — the most common motorcycle crash type
Multiple fractures including femur, pelvis, and arm
Severe road rash requiring skin grafting
Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
Crush injuries and amputations
Neck and back injuries with long-term complications
Permanent disability and chronic pain
Protecting Riders
Motorcycle Riders Face Unique Challenges in the Claims Process
Insurance companies often attempt to exploit stereotypes about motorcyclists to shift blame onto the rider, minimize payouts, or deny valid claims entirely. We anticipate these tactics and build cases that directly counter them.
Falsely attributing the crash to "reckless riding" without supporting evidence
Inflating the rider's comparative fault percentage to reduce the payout
Claiming the rider's injuries resulted from pre-existing conditions, not the crash
Offering low settlements before the full extent of serious injuries is known
Compensation
What Injured Riders May Be Entitled to Recover
Motorcycle accident injuries are often catastrophic and require extensive long-term care. We calculate the full scope of your damages — current and future — before advising on any settlement or litigation strategy.
Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
Surgery, specialist care, and follow-up treatment
Long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy
Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress and psychological trauma
Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
Long-term disability, care needs, and loss of enjoyment of life
Our Fee Structure
No Fee Unless We Win
Motorcycle accident cases are handled entirely on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront, nothing while your case is pending, and nothing at all if we don't recover for you. Our fee comes only from the compensation we win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Claims in California
Is lane splitting legal in California, and does it affect my claim?
Yes — California is the only US state where lane splitting is explicitly legal under California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1, provided it is done safely. Legal lane splitting does not automatically make a rider at fault in a collision. However, insurance companies frequently cite it to inflate the rider's comparative fault. We address this argument directly with evidence of safe riding conduct.
Can I still recover compensation if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
California requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets under Vehicle Code Section 27803. If you were not wearing a helmet, the defense may argue this contributed to your head or brain injuries and seek a reduction in your damages under comparative negligence. However, helmet use does not affect liability for the crash itself, and we work to limit any comparative fault reduction to a reasonable assessment of its actual contribution to your injuries.
What is the most common type of motorcycle accident in Los Angeles?
Left-turn collisions are the most common and frequently the most serious. They occur when a vehicle turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle — often because the driver failed to see the rider or misjudged their speed. These crashes typically result in severe rider injury and strong liability against the turning driver, as the duty to yield is clear under California Vehicle Code Section 21801.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of the accident. For property damage to your motorcycle, you have three years. If the at-fault party was a government employee or driving a government vehicle, a government tort claim must be filed within six months. These deadlines are absolute — contact us as soon as possible after an accident.
What if the driver who hit me claims they didn't see me?
"I didn't see the motorcycle" is not a legal defense — it is an admission of failure to exercise reasonable care. All drivers have a duty to observe traffic around them, including motorcycles. We use evidence including accident reconstruction, traffic camera footage, sight-line analysis, and expert testimony to demonstrate that a reasonably attentive driver would have seen the rider.
Do I need an attorney who specifically handles motorcycle accidents?
Experience with motorcycle-specific issues matters. Motorcycle cases involve unique liability dynamics — lane splitting arguments, bias against riders, the severity of injuries, and insurance tactics specifically designed to exploit assumptions about motorcyclists. Representation that understands these case patterns is better equipped to counter the arguments insurers routinely raise against injured riders.
Riders Have Rights. We Know How to Enforce Them.
Serving Los Angeles, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Burbank, Glendale, and all of Southern California. Call (818) 804-8901 for a free case evaluation.
