motorcycle accident lawyer

 A motorcycle accident can be life-changing for victims. Common motorcycle accident injuries range from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. A bad accident can cost a motorcyclist thousands of dollars in car repairs and medical bills, lost wages, and significant physical and emotional pain.

At the law firm of Rose, Klein & Marius LLP, our lawyers have been in the business of helping motor vehicle accident victims recover for over 80 years. We understand motorcycle accident law and how to navigate motorcycle accident claims in California to maximize benefits for each injured rider based on his or her specific needs. A skilled Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney at our firm may be able to help you obtain compensation from an at-fault driver. Call (213) 626-0571 to reach our Los Angeles office today.

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Resources

Why choose Rose, Klein & Marius LLP for your motorcycle accident claim?

Do I need an attorney for a motorcycle accident?

Causes of motorcycle accidents

Common motorcycle accident injuries

California Motorcycle Helmet Law

Motorcycle accident while splitting lanes

How much is my motorcycle accident lawsuit worth?

California Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations

What to do after a motorcycle accident

Contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney today

Why trust us with your motorcycle accident claim?

We are committed to two things: getting the maximum compensation for every client and furthering the laws that apply in this area.

We strive to create an environment where people who suffer due to negligence do not have to struggle to get by.

We employ a team of lawyers with experience in multiple areas of law, including motorcycle and other auto accidents.

Our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers accept motorcycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee if we don't win.

How can a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer help?

Don't let an insurance company talk you into accepting a low settlement offer after a serious motorcycle collision. Insurance companies also often avoid liability and pressure clients to accept less than they are worth. Instead, call a Los Angeles car accident lawyer experienced in motorcycle accidents to review your case for an accurate valuation. At the law firm of Rose, Klein & Marias LLP, our team of attorneys can calculate an accurate estimate, then negotiate on your behalf with that number in mind. If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we can take your claim to Los Angeles court at no cost.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in California

Identifying the cause of your motorcycle accident is usually one of the first steps in obtaining financial compensation in California. California is a no-fault car insurance state, which means the at-fault party will be the one who legally pays for your damages. The party that caused your accident may have to pay for your medical bills, motorcycle repairs or replacements, lost income, non-economic damages, and more. One or more parties may share the blame for your injury.

A driver. If a negligent or distracted driver crashes your motorcycle, his insurer may owe you for your damages. A driver can cause an accident by texting and driving or other forms of distracted driving, drunken driving, speeding, breaking the rules of the road, or ignoring the right of way for motorcyclists.

a road Motorcycles are vulnerable to even minor road imperfections. If a pothole, loose gravel, debris, storm debris, an unsafe construction site, grass clipping or other roadway defect caused your motorcycle wreck, you may be suing the City of Los Angeles for failing to properly maintain its roads.

A part of the car. If your motorcycle suffers a tire blowout, brake failure, electrical problem, or other type of auto defect that causes your accident, the motorcycle manufacturer can seek financial recovery through product liability laws.

Most motorcycle accident cases are tort claims. A tort claim seeks to hold the party negligent or wrongful (a tort) accountable for damages suffered by the victim. Your Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney must prove that the defendant caused your accident as an injured rider under tort law in order to receive compensation. A qualified Los Angeles injury attorney at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can help you prove your case as a motorcycle rider, from determining fault.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

Injuries in a motorcycle accident are often serious. With little to no protection for the motorcyclist, collisions with the road and/or another vehicle can cause extensive injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcyclist is nearly 28 times more likely to die in a crash than a passenger in a passenger car. Motorcyclists are also more likely to be seriously injured. The Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers at Rose, Klein & Marius LLP accept clients with all types of personal injuries:

broken bones

Cracked skull

Traumatic brain injury

Sushumna injury

Lower extremity injuries

Internal injuries

injury

Road rash

Scars and deformities

Catastrophic and permanent injuries are common in fatal motorcycle accidents. Crash survivors often live with their accident reactions for life. Common long-term injuries include brain damage, paralysis, and physical scarring. Motorcyclists can also suffer psychologically and emotionally from collision trauma. Working with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney can help you fight for maximum compensation for your motorcycle injuries, including actual and intangible damages.

California helmet laws and motorcycle accident claims

Wearing a helmet can reduce your risk of serious head injury or brain injury in a motorcycle accident. California has a universal helmet law. Under this law, every motorcycle rider and motorcycle passenger must wear a helmet while riding. The helmet must be federally approved for safety and fit snugly on the wearer's head. If you don't wear a motorcycle helmet in California, you can get a traffic citation and a fine. Failure to wear a helmet can be something that the defendant in a crash lawsuit uses as evidence against you.

Since not wearing a helmet would violate the law in California, a defendant can use this as a reason to hold you accountable for your motorcycle injury. For this defense to work, however, there must be some connection to your injury and your failure to wear a helmet. In general, the injury must be to the head, brain, face or neck to qualify. A bodily injury generally does not give a defendant a basis for a defense based on your unlawful failure to use a helmet. To establish that your lack of a helmet contributed to your injury, the defendant must show substantial evidence that this was the case, such as testimony from a medical or safety expert.

As an injured motorcyclist, don't assume you have no basis for compensation if you were not wearing a helmet during your Los Angeles motorcycle accident. California uses a pure comparative negligence statute, which does not automatically bar a plaintiff from recovering for partial fault for an injury. Instead of barring recovery with a percentage of fault, the court will reduce your verdict award by how much you contributed to your injury. If not wearing a helmet makes you 20% responsible for your traumatic brain injury, for example, you will receive 20% less of the verdict awarded. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Rose, Klein & Marius LLP can help you fight a helmet defense during your motorcycle accident claim.

Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents when splitting lanes?

Lane splitting refers to someone riding a motorcycle between two lanes of traffic in the same direction. Studies have shown that lane splitting can save time, reduce congestion, and help prevent accidents like rear-end collisions. But according to many, lane splitting is dangerous for motorcyclists and nearby drivers. It's a contentious issue among bikers, motorists, lawmakers and safety agencies California was the first state to allow motorcyclist lane splitting. If a motorcyclist recklessly splits into a California lane, however, he or she may be liable for a resulting accident.

California comparative negligence laws can play a role in crashes involving lane splitting. If the defendant has evidence that you split lanes at an unreasonable speed or otherwise recklessly, this may reduce the compensatory award. If you're within your rights under California's lane-splitting laws, however, lane splitting alone likely won't reduce your financial recovery. Use a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles for motorcycle accident claims with complex causes like lane splitting.

Compensation for motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles

The value of your motorcycle accident claim is important to you as an accident victim. Whether you suffered a catastrophic injury such as a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, or a less serious injury such as road rash, you deserve to know how much compensation you may be able to receive for your property repairs and medical bills. The best way to get the right answer is with a free consultation with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney at Rose, Klein & Marius LLP. Every motorcycle accident case is unique, with no average settlement price. You may need a lawyer to help you identify, list and calculate your damages.

All past and future medical expenses

Loss of income

Disability related expenses

Motorcycle repair or replacement

Legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses

Rental car fees

Pain and suffering

mental damage

Loss of quality of life

Punitive damages

As a general rule, a motorcycle accident claim involving serious to catastrophic injuries will be worth more than a minor injury claim, and fatal motorcycle accidents will be worth more than catastrophic injuries. A jury will base an award on the severity of the victim's injuries and how much they have affected his or her life. If your case settles rather than going to trial, an insurance company will determine the cost of your medical bills and other tangible damages. A Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney can help maximize your financial recovery by using proven legal strategies during negotiations.

What are the motorcycle accident limits in California?

Act quickly to bring your motorcycle accident claim to make sure you meet California's deadline, or statute of limitations. In California, all plaintiffs in personal injury claims must file their case in civil court within two years of the date of discovery of the collision or injury. Failure to bring an action for injury or wrongful death within two years generally bars a plaintiff from recovering in California, with few exceptions. Don't wait more than two years to make sure you meet your state's deadline. Contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney at Rose, Klein & Marius LLP as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident, while important evidence and information is still available. We can make the claim filing process faster and more efficient for you.