California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The beautiful roadways of California are perfect for motorcyclists, which is why bikers have traveled the long sprawling highways in our state for decades. Even in Los Angeles, people like the mobility they are afforded by riding a motorcycle, especially when it comes to parking. However, just like any other form of transportation, motorcycles come with risks.

Motorcyclists are, in general, safe drivers who observe the rules of the road. Studies have shown that in accidents involving both a motorcyclist and a passenger vehicle, it is often the driver of the passenger vehicle who was at fault. Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to injury and death on their bikes, and the injuries they sustain can be some of the most severe.

However, there are some motorcyclists who aren’t as responsible as the majority of bikers. Excessive speeding, weaving recklessly between cars and a general disregard of traffic safety laws are just a few common practices of these irresponsible riders. These driving practices pose a threat to everyone else on the road, and give motorcyclists a bad reputation. If you’ve been injured by the reckless driving of a motorcyclist, contact the Shamsi Law Firm to talk to one of our motorcycle accident attorneys.

Motorcycle Injury Statistics

• In 2013, there were 1,234 motorcycle injuries and fatalities in Los Angeles.
• From 1998 to 2008, California motorcycle fatalities jumped 175%.
• In 2010, motorcyclists accounted for 12% of deaths, 15% of hospitalizations and 5% of emergency department visits in Los Angeles County.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle passes another vehicle in the same lane traveling in the same direction. There is currently no law prohibiting or allowing lane splitting in California, though there is much debate over the safety of lane splitting. Many believe this practice endangers other drivers who share the roadways with motorcyclists.

Helmet Laws

California law requires the use of a helmet for all riders on a motorcycle. There is a correlation between fatality rates of motorcyclists in states that require helmet use and those that don’t. While there have been many attempts to repeal the helmet law in California, repeal efforts have thus far been unsuccessful.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. The days and weeks following a motorcycle accident are often critical in determining the outcome of a case, so it’s important to take action as quickly as possible. Contact the Shamsi Law Firm at 888-742-6745 to find out more about your legal options.