Glendale, California
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Glendale, CA
Injured in a motorcycle accident in Glendale? California Personal Injury Attorneys represent motorcycle accidents victims across Glendale and all of Los Angeles County. No fee unless we recover for you. Free, confidential case review 24/7 — call (800) 800-8910.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Glendale, CA?
California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1 gives you 2 years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, and 3 years for property damage. Government-entity claims (e.g., dangerous roadway condition) must be filed within 6 months. Motorcycle cases often involve disputed liability and aggressive insurer defense, so early investigation matters. Contact a Glendale motorcycle accident attorney immediately.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Glendale?
1) Call 911 — request paramedics even if you can walk; adrenaline masks serious injuries. 2) Do not remove your helmet or gear; let medics evaluate. 3) Photograph the bike, the other vehicle, road conditions, skid marks, and all injuries including road rash. 4) Get the other driver's information and any witness contacts. 5) Preserve your helmet and gear — they are evidence of impact forces. 6) Do not admit fault or say "I'm fine." 7) Contact a Glendale motorcycle attorney before speaking to any insurer.
What if I was partially at fault for my Glendale motorcycle accident?
California follows a pure comparative negligence system established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout. An experienced Glendale attorney will fight to keep your fault percentage as low as the evidence supports.
How is fault determined in a Glendale motorcycle accident?
Investigators look at the police TC report, surveillance and traffic cameras, witness statements, vehicle damage patterns, skid marks and lean-angle evidence, helmet damage, and (in serious cases) accident reconstruction expert analysis. The most common at-fault scenario is a driver making a left turn across the motorcycle's path or violating right-of-way at an intersection — over 60% of multi-vehicle motorcycle fatalities occur at intersections.
What damages can I recover from a motorcycle accident case in California?
California allows recovery of: economic damages (all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, out-of-pocket costs); non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life); and in cases of extreme misconduct, punitive damages under Civil Code 3294. There is no cap on personal injury damages in California — your recovery is limited only by the evidence and the defendant's ability to pay.
Will my case go to trial or settle?
The vast majority of California personal injury cases — approximately 95% — settle before trial. However, preparing every case as if it will go to trial is essential for achieving the best settlement. Insurance companies pay higher settlements when they know your attorney is trial-ready. California Personal Injury Attorneys has extensive trial experience in Los Angeles Superior Court, which gives us leverage in negotiations. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we will take your case to trial.
How much is my Glendale motorcycle accident case worth?
Motorcycle injuries are typically severe, which drives higher case values. Soft-tissue and road-rash cases commonly resolve for $25,000–$100,000. Cases involving fractures, surgery, or moderate TBI typically settle for $100,000–$500,000. Catastrophic cases (severe TBI, spinal cord injury, amputation) frequently exceed $1 million, especially where the at-fault driver carries strong coverage or where uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage applies.
What if the at-fault driver claims they "didn't see" me?
The "I didn't see them" defense is one of the most common excuses in motorcycle cases, but California law places the duty on every driver to look for and yield to motorcyclists. Failure to see is not a defense — it is evidence of negligence. We frequently use traffic camera footage, witness testimony, and reconstruction experts to prove the motorcycle was clearly visible and the driver simply failed to look.
How long does a motorcycle accident case take to resolve in California?
Timeline varies: simple cases with clear liability and moderate injuries may resolve in 3–9 months. Cases with disputed liability, serious injuries, or complex medical treatment often take 1–3 years. Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases may take 2–5 years if litigation is necessary. We advise waiting until your medical condition has stabilized (Maximum Medical Improvement) before settling to ensure all future costs are captured.
Does not wearing a helmet hurt my Glendale motorcycle case?
California requires all riders and passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet under Vehicle Code 27803. Failure to wear a helmet does not bar your claim, but for head, neck, or facial injuries the defense may argue comparative fault — your damages can be reduced by the percentage of injury attributable to not wearing a helmet. For injuries unrelated to the head (legs, arms, back), the helmet defense generally does not apply.