California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

California requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets. This law applies regardless of age or riding experience. While this may feel restrictive to some riders, universal helmet laws have been shown to reduce motorcycle fatalities by 37%.

How Helmet Use Affects Your Claim

Not wearing a helmet in California is a violation of law, which could be used against you in court to argue contributory negligence.

California is one of the few states where lane splitting is explicitly legal. This means motorcyclists can ride between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. However, this doesn't mean you're always at fault if an accident occurs while lane splitting.

If a driver changes lanes without signaling, opens a door into your path, or makes a sudden movement that causes a crash, they may still be liable—even if you were splitting lanes at the time.

Statute of Limitations: 2 years

In California, you have 2 years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline could permanently bar you from recovering compensation.

Fault System: Pure comparative fault

California uses pure comparative fault. You can recover damages even if you're partially at fault—your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you're 30% at fault for $500,000 in damages, you'd receive $350,000.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

California requires minimum auto insurance coverage of $15,000/$30,000/$5,000. Unfortunately, these minimums often don't cover the full extent of serious motorcycle accident injuries. This is why it's important to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.