Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injured in a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, or Burbank? Riders often face unfair assumptions from insurers and juries. Gary Partamian builds the evidence to show what really happened and fights for the full value of your claim.
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Recent Vehicle Accident Results
Settlement for a 78-year-old driver who suffered multiple fractures when a semi-truck made an illegal U-turn in Pomona.
Settlement for a client whose car was struck by a semi-truck.
Policy limits recovery for one adult and two minor clients after a car crash.
Read the case summaries: semi-truck settlement and policy limits settlement, or see all case results. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and results depend on the facts and law that apply to each matter.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
- Get medical care first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Some injuries do not show symptoms for hours or days.
- Call the police. A police report creates an independent record of what happened.
- Document everything. Photograph the scene, vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. Get witness names and numbers.
- Report the crash to the DMV. California requires an SR-1 report within 10 days if anyone was injured or damage exceeds $1,000.
- Be careful with insurers. You do not have to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement. Talk to a lawyer first.
- Keep your gear. Do not repair or throw away your helmet, jacket, or bike. They are evidence of how the crash happened.
Who Is at Fault in a California Motorcycle Crash?
Many motorcycle crashes happen because a driver did not see the rider, especially during left turns and lane changes. California law gives riders specific protections:
- Lane splitting is recognized. California is the only state that formally recognizes lane splitting (Vehicle Code 21658.1). Splitting lanes does not by itself make a rider at fault.
- Pure comparative fault. You can recover even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame.
- Helmet use matters, but is not a bar. California requires DOT-compliant helmets (Vehicle Code 27803). If you were not wearing one, the insurer must prove it caused or worsened a specific injury, and it does not end your claim.
- Every policy counts. Motorcycle injuries are often serious, so we look at the driver’s policy, any employer coverage, and your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Compensation You May Recover
Learn how pain and suffering is calculated in California and about our wrongful death practice.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
There is no average settlement that applies to every motorcycle accident case. In California, the value of a claim depends on:
- Your injuries and future care. The severity of the injury, surgeries, and treatment you will need going forward.
- Lost income. Wages you missed and any reduced ability to work in the future.
- Pain and life impact. How the injury affects your daily life, relationships, and activities.
- Fault. Under California’s comparative fault rule, your recovery is reduced by any share of fault assigned to you.
- Available insurance. The policies that apply often set a practical ceiling on recovery, so we look for every source.
Motorcycle injuries are often severe and frequently exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, so identifying every available policy, including your own uninsured motorist coverage, can make a major difference.
Motorcycle Crashes in Los Angeles County
Riders in Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Alhambra share the road with heavy freeway traffic on the 210 and 134 and with canyon roads like Angeles Crest Highway. Left-turning drivers on busy streets such as Colorado Boulevard are a frequent cause of crashes. See how your city ranks in the California Office of Traffic Safety crash rankings.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
California Motorcycle Accident Deadlines
To file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1).
To file a claim for damage to your vehicle or other property.
To file a government claim if a city, county, or state agency was involved (Government Code 911.2).
Missing a deadline can end your case before it starts, and evidence like video footage disappears quickly. Read how long you have to claim an injury.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
What is the average motorcycle accident settlement in California?
There is no reliable average. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and available insurance. Serious motorcycle injuries often exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Can I recover if I was lane splitting?
Often, yes. California recognizes lane splitting, and fault depends on how the crash actually happened, such as speed, traffic conditions, and what the driver did.
What if I was not wearing a helmet?
You can still bring a claim. The insurer may argue your recovery should be reduced, but only for injuries the helmet would have prevented.
How long does a motorcycle accident case take?
Many claims settle within months once treatment is complete. Cases that go to litigation can take a year or more.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Gary offers a free consultation so you can understand your options before deciding anything. Ask about fee arrangements during your consultation.
Why Work With Gary Partamian?
Areas we serve: Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Alhambra, Los Angeles County, Riverside, and Orange County.
Related practice areas: Personal injury, Car accidents, Truck accidents, Bicycle accidents.
Free Consultation With a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Tell us what happened. Gary will review your situation and explain your options at no cost.
About the attorney: Gary Partamian is the founder of Partamian Law Firm. He previously practiced at a leading Los Angeles plaintiffs’ firm and as a Senior Associate at Kabateck LLP, and was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2025. Last updated October 2026.
This page is attorney advertising and provides general information, not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.