Motorcycle Accidents Are on the Rise — Know Your Legal Rights
Motorcycle enthusiasts are numerous in this country and motorcycle sales are at an all time high. Many who ride do it safely and with a respect for other drivers. But no matter how careful a motorcyclist may be, he or she is still in a more vulnerable position than other kinds of drivers. Motorcycle accidents occur everyday. Even with proper licensing, motorcycle training, and helmet use, a motorcycle rider hit by a car or truck faces difficult odds. Unfortunately, with the rise in motorcycle sales comes an increase in motorcycle-related injuries and deaths. Motorcycles and bike riders have always been more prone to accidents involving other vehicles due to the smaller size of the motorcycle.
California Motorcycle Accident Facts and Statistics
Motorcycles offer the freedom of the open road. With the wind in your face and nothing between you and the elements, riding a bike can be an exhilarating experience. But climbing on to a motorcycle also comes with an increased risk. The dangers of negligent drivers and road hazards can result in a crash. Protective gear won’t protect you from the hard impact of hitting the pavement.
In many cases, car and trucks often cause the crashes due to:
- Distracted Driving
- Reckless and Negligent Driving
- Speeding
- Improper Lane Changes
- Failure to follow traffic signs, signals and stops
- Tailgating
- Turning without signaling
- Failure to yield right of way
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that common crash involvement includes:
- Collisions with a motor vehicle in transport
- Frontal collisions in two-vehicle crashes
- Fixed objects
- Vehicles turning left in front of motorcycle
- Both vehicles going straight
Common Types of Motorcycle Injuries in California Accidents
Motorcyclists have minimal protection in a collision, which leads to a high incidence of severe injuries. Injuries in motorcycle crashes can include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Lower Extremity Fractures
- Road Rash & Skin Abrasions
- Internal Bleeding & Organ Trauma
Many victims are unaware that even mild injuries like concussions may result in long-term disability. A motorcycle accident injury lawyer in California can help quantify these injuries.
What Are the Best Steps to Take after a Motorcycle Accident?
A Newport Beach motorcycle accident can result in severe injuries. Protect your rights to legal compensation after a collision by taking these steps.
Get Medical Help
Motorcycle accidents typically result in severe injuries, including back injuries, and fractures. All of these injuries require urgent medical care. Get medical help even if your injury seems minor.
Get Information
Exchange contact information with the motorist involved in the crash. You should get his name, address, phone number, as well as his auto insurer information.
Report the Accident
An accident report must be filed with your local police department or the California Highway Patrol. Also remember to file a report with your auto insurance company.
Procure Evidence
The scene of an accident can be a valuable source of evidence for your claim. Take pictures of the damage to your motorcycle, as well as the damage that occurred to the other vehicle. Don’t discount the importance of such evidence. A rear-ender, for instance, is very often seen as the fault of the person doing the rear ending, and any photographs of the damage can help you establish the motorist’s liability in causing a crash. Take pictures of debris at the scene, missing traffic signs, and other pieces of evidence.
Contact Witnesses
Talk to witnesses at the scene. They can provide very valuable testimony when it comes to corroborating your statements in court. Don’t forget to take down their names, phone numbers, and contact information.
Remain Silent
Avoid talking to the insurance company of the other driver involved, without having an attorney present. Remember, you do not have to make a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Do not do anything that jeopardizes your case – your California motorcycle accident lawyer may find it challenging to file a successful claim on your behalf.
Contact a California Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Call an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in California, and learn how you can protect your legal rights to compensation.
The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at The Ledger Law Firm are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in these accidents. The firm has attorneys licensed in California, Texas and Washington.
What Kind of Compensation Am I Entitled to After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you are the victim in a motorcycle accident in California and Newport Beach, compensation your entitled to receive may include:
- Rental Reimbursement
- Payment of your medical bills, and any future medical bills
- Medical treatment, whether you have insurance or not
- Repair or replacement of your motorcycle
- Recovery of your loss of earnings and any future losses
- Reimbursement for your out of pocket expenses incurred
- Recovery for pain and suffering of your physical and emotional injuries
If you are hurt in a motorcycle accident, the firm can pursue compensation for your physical, financial and emotional losses.
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Unlike generic personal injury lawyers, attorneys who focus on motorcycle accident cases often handle:
- Comparative fault disputes (common in California due to lane-splitting legality)
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist claims
- Helmet use & injury mitigation arguments
- Road condition liability (city vs. state)
- Commercial vehicle and delivery-related crashes (FedEx, Uber Eats, etc.)
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? We’re Here to Help
Motorcycles have the disadvantage of not being “crashworthy”, meaning they do not stand up well upon impact. Riders are unprotected and are often thrown off their bikes in an accident.
While the inherent nature of motorcycle riding poses many dangers, the fact that cars and truck drivers fail to acknowledge the rights of motorcycle riders adds to these risks. Because of their smaller size, they are often harder to spot and easier to ignore. Motorcyclists are also more susceptible to an accident in adverse weather conditions. If your loved one was injured or killed while on a motorcycle, we’ll find out if negligence was involved. Our motorcycle accident attorneys are advocates for the rights of the injured motorcyclist and will investigate the accident to discover if alcohol or speeding was a contributing factor. After a motorcycle accident the odds may seem against you, but with our legal services we can get you the help you need.
What Makes The Ledger Law Firm the Right Choice?
- Rapid Response – We begin investigation and evidence preservation immediately.
- Legal & Medical Integration – We partner with medical experts to support injury claims.
- Multi-State Reach – The firm has attorneys licensed in California, Texas and Washington.
- Free Consultation – The firm works on a contingency fee: the fee is a percentage of what is recovered. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee, but you may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.
Whether you live in Newport Beach, Los Angeles, Long Beach or elsewhere in California, the firm can help you seek compensation.
Call an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney: Your FAQ Guide to Legal Recovery After a Crash
What should I do after a motorcycle accident in California?
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in California, your first priority should be medical treatment. After that, contact a California motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Ledger Law Firm helps clients in Long Beach, Fullerton, Walnut Creek, and across Northern and Southern California navigate insurance claims, evidence collection, and compensation demands.
Why hire a motorcycle accident attorney?
Hiring a dedicated motorcycle accident attorney in California is essential. Unlike general personal injury attorneys, California motorcycle lawyers understand motorcycle dynamics, rider bias, helmet laws, and local legal precedents. Whether you need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Fullerton, Long Beach, or Redding, we provide representation backed by expert testimony and accident reconstruction.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle lawyer in California?
Most motorcycle accident attorneys in California, including The Ledger Law Firm, operate on a contingency fee basis. The firm works on a contingency fee: the fee is a percentage of what is recovered. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee, but you may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses. We proudly serve clients statewide — from Chico and San Mateo County in the north to Torrance, Pasadena, Irvine, and Orange County in the south. See California motorcycle accident attorneys.
Do you handle motorcycle accident claims in Texas?
Yes. The firm has attorneys licensed in California, Texas and Washington. See Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers.
What’s the difference between a motorcycle accident lawyer and a personal injury attorney?
While all motorcycle accident lawyers are personal injury attorneys, not all personal injury attorneys focus on motorcycle accidents. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases along with other injury cases.
How do I choose a motorcycle accident attorney near me?
Start by considering an attorney like Emery Ledger, who has experience in motorcycle crash claims, strong client reviews, and knowledge of local court systems. Whether you’re looking for a motorcycle accident attorney in Orange County, a California motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles, or a motorcycle accident lawyer in Stockton, Emery Ledger and our team bring deep local knowledge and national resources to every case.
What if my accident involved a commercial vehicle or delivery truck?
Motorcycle crashes involving commercial vehicles — like FedEx, Amazon, or construction trucks — require special legal handling. The firm works to identify the parties that may be liable, including employers and insurers. We handle complex cases throughout Southern California, Northern California, and beyond.
Can I still recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. While helmet use is required under California law, not wearing one doesn’t automatically bar you from recovering damages. A motorcycle accident attorney in California can help prove that your injuries would have occurred regardless, especially in cases involving negligence by another driver.
Which areas of California does The Ledger Law Firm serve?
We serve clients across all of California. Our most-requested areas include:
- Long Beach
- Fullerton
- Walnut Creek
- Redding
- Stockton and Chico
- Pasadena
- Torrance
- Southern California
- Northern California
Is The Ledger Law Firm a good choice for motorcycle accidents in Northern California?
Yes. The firm takes motorcycle accident cases from across Northern California, including Chico, San Mateo County and Walnut Creek.
How can I contact your motorcycle lawyers?
You can contact our team 24/7 via https://ledgerlaw.com or call our California office directly. Whether you need a California motorcycle attorney or a motorcycle lawyer in Los Angeles, we’re ready to fight for your rights.
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