Accident Guides
Motorcycle Accident Claims: Fighting the Bias Against Riders
Quick Answer: California motorcyclists injured by a negligent driver can recover full damages despite bias against riders — and lane splitting is legal in California, so splitting alone is not negligence. Helmet use, gear, and immediate medical documentation are critical to countering insurer bias.
NHTSA data shows motorcyclists are roughly 24 times more likely than passenger-car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and motorcyclist deaths have exceeded 6,000 nationally in recent years — which is exactly why insurers fight these claims hard.
The Bias Is Real — And Surmountable
Motorcycle accident cases are harder than car accident cases not because the law treats riders differently, but because adjusters and jurors frequently assume the motorcyclist was speeding or acting recklessly. We build cases that dismantle this assumption with objective evidence.
California's Lane-Splitting Law
California is the only state that expressly permits motorcycle lane-splitting under California Vehicle Code § 21658.1.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Left-turn collisions where a vehicle turns in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Rear-end collisions by distracted drivers. Door accidents where drivers open car doors into the path of a rider. Road hazards such as debris and potholes that are catastrophic for motorcycles.
Evidence That Wins Motorcycle Cases
Dashcam and traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction expert analysis, data from the other vehicle's black box, and cell phone records showing the driver was texting.
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