Our attorneys exclusively represent injury victims.
For years we have fought on behalf of clients who were hurt in accidents due to the negligence of another party.
Some motor-bike enthusiasts call the Riverside area the premier destination for motorcycle riding. Less crowded than Los Angeles and Orange counties, the roads are easier to maneuver for motorcyclists. Plus, there are many beautiful and adventurous routes to explore.
Interstates and Highways may be prime territory for those looking for places to take an open-air motorbike ride, but the allure and thrill of these bike rides unfortunately can end up in very tragic accidents for some. In 2018, there were 875 victims killed and injured in motorcycle crashes in Riverside County.
If you have experienced a motorcycle accident in Riverside or Riverside County and are suffering from injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, you may benefit from working with a lawyer.
Here at MKP Law Group, LLP, we know the physical, emotional, and financial hardships that can result from injuries caused by serious accidents. Having an experienced local injury accident lawyer by your side is important to navigate the legal process and recover damages.
Our law firm always works on what is known as a contingency fee basis, meaning WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS WE WIN. There are no upfront, out-of-pocket costs to our clients. Call us today at 310-870-3395 to schedule your 100% free consultation.
Understanding Riverside’s Motorcycle Scene
Like other cities in Southern California, Riverside has a strong motorcycle culture. Motorcyclists benefit from the year-round riding weather with the region’s warm, dry summers and mild winters. Popular routes include taking the 38 up to Big Bear, enjoying the scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway, or riding along California State Highway 74 and the Ortega Highway to explore the Santa Ana Mountains.
While Southern California is a dream destination for avid bikers, riding a motorcycle also carries risks. In 2021, Riverside ranked 4th among California counties for the most motorcycle accident fatalities, with 30, and Los Angeles County ranked first with 120 deaths. In addition to traffic congestion, other motorists have trouble noticing motorcyclists because of their smaller profile, resulting in a higher accident risk.
Riverside Motorcycle Accidents Facts
Riverside motorcycle riders know that their streets are getting more dangerous.
The NHTSA reports that motorcycle fatalities represent 15% of all traffic fatalities. An estimated 82,687 motorcyclists were injured in 2022, an increase of 3% from the number of injuries in 2021.
In Riverside County, Ynez Road at Winchester has been known as a tricky spot and the scene of numerous near misses. In the city center of Riverside, there is the large intersection of Tyler Street and Magnolia Avenue, a problem spot for all vehicle drivers. Faded signs, ruts worn into the roads by heavy truck traffic, and unclear lane change designs make these intersections dangerous.
Another risk factor that Riverside motorcycle riders have to deal with is the increase in truck and commuter traffic over the past few years. Some of the most dangerous highways are Highway 74, Route 60 (or Pomona Freeway), and Interstate 15 (NNL).
Check out our full collection of over 21 motorcycle accident statistics here.
Understanding Motorcycle Crashes vs Accidents
Motorcycle crashes and accidents are often used interchangeably to refer to collisions involving motorcycles. While you might use the term “motorcycle accident”, most collisions occur because of negligence.
Severe motorcycle crashes involving injuries often require the expertise of knowledgeable legal professionals to investigate, gather evidence, and build a strong compensation claim. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed in crashes than passenger car occupants. They are also much more likely to suffer complex injuries because of their relative lack of protection from the forces released in a crash.
Common Causes for a Riverside County Motorcycle Accident
Here are some common causes of motorcycle accidents our Riverside accident attorney team sees on a regular basis.
- Negligent or Distracted driving: The car ahead of you or behind you may be driven by a negligent driver who is changing the radio station, texting, looking for something, or otherwise not paying attention.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol, recreational marijuana, or prescription drugs can dramatically alter the state of a driver, and you never know when you may be driving on a roadway with drivers under the influence.
- Driver error: Aggressive driving, mistakes while driving, and a lack of understanding of current rules of the road can easily result in driver error. If a large vehicle starts swerving in and out of lanes this causes a particularly dangerous situation for motorcyclists.
- Road conditions: Riding on a road that has ruts, potholes, and other signs of disrepair could be particularly dangerous when you are on two wheels. If it turns out that a part of your motorcycle is defective as well, you have a perfect storm.
Common Injuries Sustained In Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can cause catastrophic injury for victims and fatal motorcycle accidents can be traumatic for surviving family members.
A vehicle provides bodily protection with airbags and the car structure, which cushions a driver in a car accident. Motorcyclists, however, are directly exposed to the impact.
So, often, injured riders involved in accidents find themselves with much more serious injuries, sometimes even life-threatening or leaving them with lifelong disabilities.
Some of the most common injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures and head injuries
- Eye injuries
- Broken jaws, cheekbones, and noses
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones and fractures
- Dislocations
- Neck and head
- Lacerations & Road Rash
- Ligament Tears
- Back injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Internal hemorrhaging
- Internal organ injuries
The majority of these injuries require that the injured person seek emergency medical attention, including an ambulance ride. This type of medical assistance does not come cheap, and therefore, the victims of these accidents often find themselves in enormous debt from medical expenses.
Role of a Riverside Motorcycle Accident Attorney
When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you should retain a lawyer with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Riverside at the MKP Law Group knows the judges, defense bar, and court personnel in the local courts, as well as local judicial procedures. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Riverside also know the insurance companies and their representatives in the area, and common motorcycle accident patterns.
By contrast, a general practice lawyer lacks the specific knowledge required to maximize your recovery in a motorcycle accident case. For example, insurance companies know that jurors tend to be biased against motorcycle riders because they view them as risk-takers and use this to their advantage. Our attorneys know how to build a strong case to overcome bias. We are also experienced with California’s unique lane-splitting laws and helmet requirements and know how to address them.
Damages Riverside Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You Recover
A motorcycle accident victim doesn’t only suffer from physical injury. There are many other types of damages suffered following these traumatic accidents and which are largely recoverable.
Recoverable damages include:
- Medical Bills & Expenses: Motorcycle injury victims are entitled to full reimbursement for all medical bills and expenses stemming from the motorcycle accident, including ER bills, prescription drug costs, physical therapy, medical equipment/devices, and continued nursing care.
- Pain and Suffering: These damages are not quantifiable with an exact dollar amount. Instead, they stem from the loss of enjoyment of life, physical pain, and suffering, difficulty performing daily activities or household tasks, loss of dignity, and inability to engage in hobbies or recreational activities.
- Loss of Earnings/Wages: These are damages that are incurred when a victim was hurt and missed work leading to the loss of wages or other income. These damages include the loss of future wages, or diminished earning capacity, as well as for past lost wages.
- Loss of Consortium: If the victim was legally married at the time of the motorcycle accident, they and their spouse are entitled to damages for loss of companionship or loss of love for deprivations to the spousal relationship (including loss of sexual relations).
- Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness, malice, or intent to harm, victims can sue for punitive damages.
- Funeral & Burial Expenses: In a situation where the victim dies as a result of the motorcycle accident, a wrongful death claim will be brought, and we can recover any burial, funeral, or cremation expenses that were incurred as a result of the motorcycle accident.
Understanding California Laws for Motorcyclists
Our Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer team has gathered some of the most important laws you need to know about in order to stay safe and within the law while riding your motorbike.
Helmet Laws and Comparative Negligence
Under Cal. Veh. Code 27803, all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets. This is because helmet use greatly reduces your risk of serious injuries or death in a crash.
If you’re injured in a motorcycle crash while not wearing a helmet, the insurance company will argue that you contributed fault and that your injuries would not be as severe if you had worn a helmet. This may reduce your total compensation, especially if you suffer a TBI or spinal cord injury.
However, California follows a pure comparative negligence rule found in Cal. Civ. Code 1714. Under this law, each person is responsible for their percentage of fault. However, since it is a pure comparative fault rule, being partially at fault won’t prevent you from recovering compensation for your losses. Instead, your losses will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault, your total damages award would be reduced by 20%. If a jury finds you suffered gross damages of $100,000, your net verdict would be $80,000 in this scenario.
California Laws for Motorcycle Rider Safety
Wear a motorcycle helmet. The more protection your head has, the more likely you are to minimize the risk of a traumatic brain injury.
Lane splitting is legal. Many drivers do not seem to be aware of this and react aggressively when a motorcycle rider goes between two lanes of moving traffic. They might irrationally hold it against the biker that they get to the front of slowed traffic. Some act passive-aggressively, which endangers you.
California Laws for Filing Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to file a claim. Additionally, in the case of a fatality, the rider’s heirs can bring a wrongful death action.
File your claim in a timely manner. At-fault parties may be other motorists, the city itself if the roadway department neglected road safety or a company with a fleet of truck drivers. In any case, you need to bring your claim within a certain time span, also called the statute of limitations. If the accident involved a private party, you have two years to file a case. However, if you are going up against a government entity, you only have six months!
When to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Filing an insurance claim is not the same thing as filing a lawsuit. An insurance claim is what you file with the at-fault driver’s insurance company following your motorcycle collision. Your motorcycle accident attorney in Riverside at MKP Law Group can help you properly value your claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. In most cases, claims are settled outside of court without ever having to file a formal lawsuit.
However, a lawsuit, which is a legal action filed in court, may be necessary in certain cases. For example, if the insurance company is unreasonably delaying your claim or otherwise acting in bad faith, your attorney might recommend filing a lawsuit. Similarly, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit if your claim is denied or the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer.
Lawsuits can take multiple months to a couple of years. The court process involves multiple steps, including:
- Plaintiff files the complaint
- Service of process on the defendant and their insurance company
- Defendant files the answer
- Case enters discovery, during which both parties exchange evidence, send interrogatories, and/or conduct depositions
- Pretrial motions and hearings
- Status conference
- Jury (or bench) trial
- Post-trial motions
Your attorney can explain whether it makes sense to file a lawsuit. Even if a lawsuit becomes necessary, most cases still settle before trial. Lawyers preparing for trial take a much more aggressive approach in gathering evidence, working with experts, preparing motions, prepping witnesses, conducting depositions, and investigating thoroughly to maximize your chances of recovery. Preparing for settlement involves properly valuing your claim, gathering evidence to prove liability, and working to negotiate a fair offer.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
What if the insurance company claims I am at fault? Expand
If the insurance company tries to blame you, but the reality is that the accident was the fault of another negligent party, stand your ground.
Often there is a misconception that motorcyclists are reckless and irresponsible. However, more often than not, many other motor vehicles on the road do not want to share the roadway with smaller vehicles like motorcyclists or simply do not see motorcyclists in the roadway.
So, if you have been in a motorcycle or even bicycle accident, be sure to collect every shred of evidence to prove your innocence, and another’s negligence. This includes documenting the accident scene with your own videos or photos before any vehicles have been moved. It is also great to have eyewitness accounts from parties not involved directly in the accident. Calling the police or California Highway Patrol to create a traffic collision report is another useful way to document the incident.
Should I accept a settlement offer? Expand
Never accept the first settlement the insurance company offers. Even if the insurance company acknowledges that the other driver was at fault and offers you a quick settlement following your motorcycle collision, these offers are often much less than your claim is actually worth.
Determining the value of your case is especially important if you have any injuries. The problem is that many insurance companies will offer low settlements to get the paperwork done and off their desk, saving them lots of money in time and payments.
It is always best to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to get help in determining the actual value of your claim in order to maximize its value. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and fight on your behalf to get you what you deserve.
Should I get a motorcycle accident lawyer? Expand
If you have been injured in a motorcycle collision, you are likely suffering from the traumatic event and trying to deal with your injuries while paying off medical bills. Working with a lawyer can not only help make the process easier for you and let you focus on your recovery, but a personal injury attorney understands the process, laws and can counter the insurance company’s efforts to devalue your case.
Injured motorcyclists are often left suffering from severe injuries resulting from the accident. If you are an injured motorcyclist trying to recover from your injuries, navigating the insurance, the maze of paperwork and the entire legal process can leave you feeling overwhelmed. You might just want to accept the first offer the insurance company makes. Don’t let that happen to you. Working with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer can help get you the money you deserve. Call MKP Law Group, LLP now for your free consultation or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Our attorneys know how to fight on your behalf against the insurance company in order to get you the compensation you deserve.
What compensation can be recovered? Expand
Determining your case’s value and what you may receive as compensation is a complicated process that requires a thorough analysis of your case. Every accident is different so valuation varies case-by-case. There is no one formula that we can use to calculate your losses.
Rather, compensation is determined based on the severity of your injuries, lost wages, predicted future losses, the cost of medical bills, and more. Other considerations like the value of pain and suffering may also be part of the equation and are often based on precise formulas that can be unique for each injury case. The team at MKP Law Group, LLP will analyze your medical records and also conduct an in-depth interview with you in order to learn how your injuries have affected your everyday life.
Do I need a license to drive a motorcycle in California? Expand
Yes. In California, two-wheeled vehicles with motors can only be operated by those who have the appropriate license. There are two driver’s license classes for two-wheel vehicle operation, including Class M1 and Class M2.
To learn more about California motorcycle laws, you can check out the California Motorcycle Handbook.
Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet when the accident occurred? Expand
Yes. However, it is important to understand that this may impact the amount of damages you can recuperate. Since California uses a pure comparative negligence system, you may be considered partially at-fault if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
For example, if the other driver was at fault for the accident, but you weren’t wearing a helmet, you may be charged with 25% of the responsibility for your injuries. So the maximum you can recover is 75% of what would have been owed to you if you had been wearing a helmet. This just means that you can still recover against the at-fault driver but that recovery will be reduced by the amount of fault you personally contributed to the incident.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney that Riverside Residents Trust at MKP Law Group, LLP Today
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you need to know what your rights are. Working with a lawyer familiar with local laws and processes for motorcycle accident injury cases can help ease the process. At MKP Law Group, LLP, we have highly experienced motorcycle injury lawyers who have obtained large settlements on behalf of our clients.
Plus, our team wants to make sure that you can get back up on your feet and move forward. No matter how serious the injuries, we can connect you with the right medical experts to get you on the path to healing from your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer at MKP Law Group, LLP today at 310-870-3395 so that we can start fighting to get you the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury law team is experienced, attentive, dependable, tenacious, and ready to fight to help you earn maximum compensation on your motorcycle accident claim.
Call us today to schedule your 100% free case evaluation.
As always, if we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a dime.
We proudly service clients in the city of Riverside and Riverside County as well as other cities in and around Los Angeles County. These include Santa Monica, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale, and more. We also represent clients in Orange County and San Bernardino County as well.
