Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle crashes often result in severe injuries due to the impact with larger vehicles and the rider’s likely contact with the road. Drivers are legally obligated to watch for motorcyclists. The Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm can help injured riders recover significant financial compensation.

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Legally Reviewed By: Jud Waltman

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How can The Lanier Law Firm help me with my Los Angeles motorcycle accident case?

What types of compensation are available after a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles?

What if my family member was killed in a motorcycle accident?

Who is liable for a Los Angeles motorcycle crash?

When should I contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney?

How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles cost?

Why should I choose a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer from The Lanier Law Firm?

Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents

What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?

Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions

Even though drivers have a legal obligation to watch for motorcyclists, the California Office of Traffic Safety recorded 474 motorcycle accidents on California roadways in 2019. These accidents often result in catastrophic injury or fatality because riders lack the benefit of being inside an enclosed vehicle.

Riders have the same legal right to use the roadways as drivers, and failure to see a motorcyclist constitutes negligence by the driver. The Lanier Law Firm helps riders hold negligent drivers accountable.

How can The Lanier Law Firm help me with my Los Angeles motorcycle accident case?

Insurance companies often take advantage of injured riders by refusing to accept responsibility or offering a lowball settlement that falls far short of the amount you need for the cost of care, lost wages, and other damages.

The attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm have a national reputation as skilled, fearless litigators. This gives us a significant advantage in settlement negotiations, which translates to a higher settlement offer for you.

With more than three decades of experience pursuing justice against negligent drivers and their insurance companies, we understand the lifetime costs of motorcycle accidents. Our attorneys provide vigorous advocacy to ensure your settlement is no less than the amount you need and deserve.

What types of compensation are available after a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles?

Motorcycle accident compensation may be substantial due to the catastrophic nature of the injuries often seen from these crashes.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the verifiable monetary losses that occur as a result of the accident and include the following:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of projected future income
Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the subjective losses related to quality of life and may include the following:

Pain and suffering
Loss of society
Disfigurement
Loss of bodily functions
Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant and deter others from similar conduct when the injurious conduct was oppressive or malicious or when the defendant attempted to conceal material information. Punitive damages are common in drunk driving cases.

What if my family member was killed in a motorcycle accident?

If your immediate family member was killed in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?

A personal representative, such as the executor of an estate, may file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the immediate family of the deceased.

What types of compensation are available in a Los Angeles wrongful death case?

Wrongful death compensation may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Damages may include the following:

Burial expenses
Projected lifetime earnings of the deceased
Pain and suffering of the deceased
Loss of companionship

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Legally Reviewed By: Jud Waltman

Who is liable for a Los Angeles motorcycle crash?

Establishing liability is an important factor in calculating case value. The driver that caused the accident is the most obvious liable party, but the following parties may also be liable:

The owner of the vehicle
The driver’s employer
The city of Los Angeles
A parts manufacturer or distributor
A motorcycle or automobile mechanic

During the immediate aftermath of your accident, the Los Angeles Police Department will assess the accident and determine fault. The Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm will conduct a more thorough accident reconstruction analysis.

Our law firm works with some of the nation’s leading forensic investigators to ensure all liable parties are identified. This enables us to recover maximum compensation on your behalf from everyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries.

When should I contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney?

California imposes strict deadlines on personal injury claims, known as the statute of limitations. This time limit is two years in most cases, but this can vary, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Promptly retaining an attorney will ensure your attorney has access to evidence while it is fresh and witnesses remember details. It will also provide your attorney with sufficient time to build your case.

How much does a motorcycle accident
lawyer in Los Angeles cost?

There is no upfront cost to hire a motorcycle accident attorney at The Lanier Law Firm. You only pay if you win. The amount you pay will be a percentage of your recovery, which will be disclosed to you upfront.

Why should I choose a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer from The Lanier Law Firm?

The most important measure of a qualified law firm is its track record. The Lanier Law Firm has a history of winning significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. Below are just a few examples of our results:

$5.5 million verdict for a worker with severe head injuries precipitated by a fall
$2.2 million verdict for a woman injured by a drunk driver
$1.95 million for an injured construction worker

These results are more than numbers to us. They represent a difference we made in the lives of our clients. We offer a caring, personalized approach and refuse to give up until our clients receive the compensation to which they are entitled.

We regularly receive feedback from our clients, such as the following:

“Lanier Law Firm has had my back since day one, complete and courteous service and reliability!!” —Ned Bess
“I am so glad I went to The Lanier Law Firm for their services. They were professional, prompt, and effective! 5/5 stars! Would definitely
recommend!!” —John Hunt

Our Los Angeles office is located in Woodland Hills. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need a skilled, experienced personal injury lawyer who cares about your outcome.

Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents

In a motorcycle crash, you do not have the benefit of airbags to cushion you during impact, nor do you have the benefit of a seatbelt. As a result, you are likely to experience multiple injuries, which may be catastrophic. Catastrophic injuries are life-altering injuries that result in permanent disability.

Head Injuries

A blow to the head during a motorcycle crash can cause skull fractures, a concussion, or a brain bleed, all of which can lead to traumatic brain injuries.

Head injuries may result in:

Cognitive impairment
Personality changes
Sensory and motor impairments
Death

Back Injuries

Back injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident may include broken vertebrae, compression fractures, and spinal cord injuries. Compression fractures and broken vertebrae can lead to chronic pain, pinched nerves, and the need for back surgery. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis from the point of injury downward.

Severe Burns

Burn injuries are common in motorcycle crashes and may occur as a result of the following:

Road rash
Chemical burns
Fire burns from spilled gasoline that ignited
Exhaust pipe burns

Road rash is a friction burn that results from sliding on the ground after being thrown from the motorcycle or while being dragged. Layers of skin are peeled away, causing severe nerve damage and pain.

Organ and Tissue Damage

During a motorcycle crash, you may be thrown from the motorcycle, struck by sudden force, or crushed between vehicles or surfaces. Any of these occurrences can result in damage to soft tissue and organs. Damage to organs can result in the loss of control over bodily functions and long-term chronic health conditions.

Damage to Bones and Limbs

What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?

The most common causes of motorcycle accidents in cases we have handled include the following:

A left-turning driver failing to see a motorcycle going straight
A driver’s failure to yield
Drivers driving too closely
Speeding
Distracted driving
Drunk driving

Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles

According to a data analysis by Crosstown Neighborhood Newsletter in Los Angeles, the largest number of traffic accidents in Los Angeles occur at the following intersections:

Slauson Avenue and Western Avenue

Sepulveda Boulevard and Sherman Way

Sherman Way and Kester Avenue

Figueroa Street and Manchester Avenue

Slauson Avenue and Vermont Avenue

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions our Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys receive.

Is lane-splitting allowed in Los Angeles?

Lane splitting is defined as a motorcycle sharing a lane with a vehicle going in the same direction. This practice may increase a motorcyclist’s visibility in heavy traffic and is legal in California.

Are helmets mandatory in California?

All riders in California are required to wear a helmet, regardless of age.

How long will it take for my case to resolve?

It could take several months for your case to settle. With severe injuries, it is sometimes necessary to wait to settle a case until the permanent impact of your injuries becomes apparent. If your case goes to trial, it could take years to resolve, particularly if you prevail and the defendant appeals.

We understand how important it is for clients to recover compensation as soon as possible and will do everything we can to settle your case outside of court. The vast majority of cases settle.

What should I do if the insurance company contacts me?

Always direct the insurance company to your attorney without comment. Anything you say to your insurance company could be used against you to harm your case.

Can I recover compensation if I am partly at fault for the accident?

As long as you are not 100 percent at fault for the accident, you can recover compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.