Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries because riders have far less physical protection than people inside passenger vehicles. A collision that might result in vehicle damage for a car occupant can leave a motorcyclist with broken bones, road rash, burns, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage, or other long-term complications.
In Sherman Oaks and throughout the San Fernando Valley, motorcycle crashes can happen for many reasons, including drivers failing to see a motorcycle, left-turn collisions, unsafe lane changes, lane-splitting incidents, defective motorcycle components, and dangerous road conditions.
After an accident, injured riders may also face another challenge: proving who was responsible. Insurance companies may question liability, minimize injuries, or argue that the motorcyclist contributed to the severity of the injuries. That is why understanding the claim process and getting legal guidance early can be important.
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. The right approach is to preserve evidence, document your injuries, understand your legal options, and seek professional assistance before accepting a settlement.
Factors That Affect a Motorcycle Accident Claim
When Another Party Is Responsible
A motorcycle accident claim generally depends on establishing that another party was legally responsible for causing the collision and resulting injuries.
For example, a driver may be responsible if they failed to yield, made an unsafe turn, changed lanes without checking for a motorcycle, drove while distracted, or otherwise failed to use reasonable care.
Left-turn crashes are particularly important in motorcycle accident cases because a driver turning across the motorcycle’s path may fail to notice the rider or incorrectly judge the motorcycle’s speed and distance.
Visibility can also become an issue when a driver claims they did not see the motorcycle. A lack of visibility does not automatically eliminate liability. The circumstances of the collision, traffic conditions, vehicle positions, witness accounts, photographs, and other evidence can help determine what actually happened.
Lionsgate Law Group APC handles motorcycle accident cases involving visibility collisions, lane splitting, and left-turn or intersection crashes in Sherman Oaks and the San Fernando Valley.
Motorcycle Defects and Dangerous Road Conditions
Not every motorcycle accident is caused solely by another driver.
A defective motorcycle component could potentially contribute to a crash. Depending on the circumstances and available evidence, a manufacturer or another responsible party may have legal liability for a defective product.
Road conditions can also play a role. A dangerous roadway condition may contribute to a motorcycle crash, potentially raising questions about whether a public entity or another party could be responsible.
Because these cases can involve different types of evidence and potentially multiple responsible parties, determining liability requires a careful investigation rather than assuming that the rider or another driver was automatically at fault.
When Safety Gear Becomes an Insurance Dispute
Insurance companies may sometimes argue that a rider’s injuries were made worse because the rider was not wearing certain protective equipment.
That argument does not necessarily determine who caused the accident.
The central liability question is generally what caused the collision in the first place. Accident reconstruction evidence, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and other documentation can help establish the circumstances of the crash and the nature of the injuries.
Lionsgate Law Group APC specifically identifies safety-gear disputes as an issue it handles in motorcycle accident claims, using accident reconstruction and medical evidence to address arguments made by insurers.
How to Pursue a Fair Motorcycle Accident Settlement
A motorcycle accident settlement does not happen automatically after an insurance claim is submitted. The insurance company may investigate the accident, review medical records, assess liability, and evaluate the claimed losses before deciding whether to make an offer.
An initial settlement offer may not necessarily reflect the full impact of the accident.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can review the available evidence, assess the circumstances of the collision, identify potentially responsible parties, and communicate with the insurance company on the injured rider’s behalf.
Depending on the case, compensation may include losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The types and amount of compensation available depend on the specific facts of the accident and the applicable law.
If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, litigation may become necessary. Preparing a case for litigation can also give an injured person a clearer understanding of the strength of the liability and damages evidence.
Steps to Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Your health should come first after a motorcycle accident.
Some injuries may be immediately obvious, while others may become more noticeable later. Prompt medical evaluation creates a record of the injuries and helps doctors determine the appropriate treatment.
Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, treatment recommendations, and other documentation related to the accident.
Step 2: Document the Accident
If you are physically able to do so, preserve as much information about the collision as possible.
Useful evidence can include:
- Photographs of the motorcycle and other vehicles
- Photographs of the accident scene and road conditions
- Contact information for witnesses
- The other driver’s insurance information
- Vehicle and license information
- Police or incident reports
- Medical records
- Photographs of visible injuries
- Insurance correspondence
- Any available video or surveillance footage
Evidence can become harder to obtain as time passes. Photographs, witness information, vehicle damage, and other details can help establish what happened.
Step 3: Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
After a motorcycle accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you for information about the collision and your injuries.
It is important to be accurate and truthful, but injured riders should also understand that statements made during the claims process can become part of the insurance company’s evaluation.
Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, consider discussing the claim with a motorcycle accident attorney who can explain your legal options.
Step 4: Speak With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You do not necessarily need an attorney to make an insurance claim, but complicated motorcycle accident cases can involve disputed liability, serious injuries, multiple potentially responsible parties, or arguments about safety equipment.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances of the crash and help determine whether another driver, manufacturer, property owner, public entity, or another party may have legal responsibility.
Lionsgate Law Group APC represents motorcycle accident victims in Sherman Oaks and throughout the San Fernando Valley. The firm’s motorcycle accident practice includes lane-splitting and visibility collisions, left-turn and intersection crashes, motorcycle defects, dangerous road conditions, and insurance disputes involving safety gear.
Step 5: Evaluate the Settlement Before Accepting It
Before accepting a settlement, consider the full impact of the accident.
Medical expenses are only one part of a personal injury claim. Depending on the circumstances, an injured motorcyclist may also experience lost income, ongoing treatment needs, physical pain, emotional difficulties, and other losses.
Once a settlement is accepted and released, it may significantly limit your ability to pursue additional compensation for the same accident. Reviewing the offer carefully before agreeing to it can therefore be important.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in California?
California generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including many motorcycle accident cases, under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. However, exceptions and different deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances and the parties involved.
For that reason, an injured motorcyclist should not assume there is unlimited time to pursue a claim.
Getting legal advice early can help identify applicable deadlines and preserve important evidence before it becomes unavailable.
Why Choose a Sherman Oaks Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Motorcycle accident cases can involve unique issues that are not always present in ordinary vehicle collisions.
A driver may claim they never saw the motorcycle. An insurer may dispute how the crash occurred. A rider may face allegations concerning lane splitting or safety equipment. A defective part or dangerous road condition may also need to be investigated.
Lionsgate Law Group APC is based in Sherman Oaks and represents motorcycle accident victims throughout Sherman Oaks, the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, and California. The firm works with clients from the initial consultation through resolution of the claim.
The firm’s motorcycle accident practice focuses on identifying the cause of the collision, investigating potentially responsible parties, addressing insurance disputes, and pursuing compensation based on the specific circumstances of the case.
Get Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Sherman Oaks
A motorcycle accident can leave you dealing with medical treatment, vehicle damage, lost income, insurance questions, and uncertainty about what to do next. You do not have to determine the value of your claim or handle complicated liability questions without legal guidance.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Sherman Oaks or the San Fernando Valley, Lionsgate Law Group APC offers a free consultation to discuss your situation.
Call Lionsgate Law Group APC at 818-574-5494 to discuss your motorcycle accident claim.
