MMGLaw Firm

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Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Lane-splitting is legal in California, but that doesn't stop Los Angeles drivers and their insurers from blaming the rider first. If you were hurt on a bike here, the story you tell early matters.

California downtown street

Motorcycle Accidents matters in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is built for cars, not bikes, and riders feel it everywhere from the Sepulveda Pass on the 405 to the merge chaos where the US-101 meets the four-level interchange downtown. Surface corridors like Sunset, Ventura through the Valley, and the runs along PCH draw weekend riders straight into distracted drivers, sudden lane changes, and doors that open without a mirror check. When a car turns left across a rider's path on Wilshire or Figueroa, the impact is rarely minor. Lane-splitting is legal here under California Vehicle Code section 21658.1, and the CHP recognizes it — yet insurance adjusters routinely argue a splitting rider was reckless to shave the payout. The same goes for the reflex assumption that a motorcyclist was speeding. California's pure comparative negligence rules mean fault can be divided, so the early evidence — dashcam footage, witness accounts, the position of the vehicles, gear damage — is what keeps a fair share of blame from landing on you. The general deadline to file an injury claim is two years from the crash under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, but waiting lets that evidence disappear. Motorcycle injury suits in the city are typically heard in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, with downtown matters at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Our office is a short drive up the I-5 in Glendale, and consultations are free in English, Armenian, and Russian. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win.

Types of motorcycle accidents cases we handle

Left-turn and right-of-way collisions

The classic cause: a car turning across the rider's path. Witness statements and timing analysis are key.

Lane-change and unsafe-merging crashes

California lane-splitting is legal — but reasonable. We document compliance with CHP guidelines to defeat shared-fault claims.

Road-defect and dooring claims

Government-entity claims have a six-month presentation deadline. Dooring claims involve California Vehicle Code §22517.

Damages

What compensation can cover

Every motorcycle accident claim is different, but California law allows injured plaintiffs to seek several categories of damages. We build each one with documentation — medical records, wage statements, expert opinions — so nothing is left on the table.

Medical expenses

Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and the future treatment your providers say you'll need.

Lost wages

Income you lost while recovering — and, where the injury affects your ability to work, diminished future earning capacity.

Pain and suffering

Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed how you live day to day.

Property damage

Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other property damaged in the incident.

Out-of-pocket costs

Transportation to appointments, medical equipment, household help, and the other expenses an injury forces on you.

How we work

  1. 1

    Free, no-pressure consultation

    We listen first. We answer your questions. There is no fee for the initial conversation — and you decide whether to engage us at the end of it.

  2. 2

    Investigation and evidence preservation

    Police reports, scene photos, witness statements, vehicle data, surveillance video, medical records. The earlier we collect, the harder it is for the other side to reshape the story later.

  3. 3

    Treatment, demand, and negotiation

    We coordinate with your providers, document the full extent of damages — medical, lost income, pain — and present a demand backed by evidence. We push back firmly when an insurer lowballs.

  4. 4

    Litigation when necessary

    Most matters settle. When an insurer refuses to be reasonable, we file. Preparing every case as if it will be tried is what makes the settlement number move.

What to do right away

  • Get medical care immediately — adrenaline and gear can hide serious injury.
  • Photograph the bike, your gear, and the scene before anything moves.
  • Preserve your gear — helmet, jacket, gloves — without cleaning it.
  • Identify any witnesses; bystanders often vanish quickly after motorcycle crashes.
  • Call us before talking to either insurer.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Deadlines that matter

Most California personal-injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Miss the window and the court will almost always dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.

Claims against government entities are much shorter — generally a written claim within six months (Government Code §911.2). Crashes involving city vehicles, public buses, or dangerous public-road conditions can fall under this rule.

Exceptions exist in both directions — discovery rules, minors, out-of-state defendants — so don't assume your deadline has passed or that you have time to spare. Call (818) 539-7969 and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.

More practice areas in Los Angeles

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FAQ

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accidents FAQ

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Injured in Los Angeles?

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