Southern California has riding weather almost all year, from Pacific Coast Highway to Ortega Highway and the roads of the Inland Empire. But when a motorcycle and a car collide, the rider usually takes the worst of it. With no seat belt, airbag or steel frame, even a low-speed crash can mean fractures, road rash, or a head or spinal injury.
Insurance adjusters may try to blame the rider, or offer a quick, low settlement. Before you sign anything, talk with an injury lawyer at Tafreshi Law Group about your rights.
We work on contingency: there are no upfront costs, and we are paid a fee and our costs only if we recover money for you.
Common causes of motorcycle crashes in Orange County, the Inland Empire and Riverside include drivers who don’t see a motorcycle before turning left, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, rear-end crashes in freeway traffic, and road hazards like potholes, gravel and debris.
A lawyer can gather evidence, deal with insurers, and represent injured riders in court if needed, so you can focus on recovery.
Talk to a lawyer early so these deadlines are not missed.
Not every crash needs a lawyer, but motorcycle claims are often disputed. Insurers may argue about lane splitting, speed or helmet use, and injuries are often serious. A free consultation can help you understand your options before you talk with an adjuster.
Attorney Suzannah Tafreshi leads our firm, and she and our team work directly with clients. Our office staff speaks Spanish and Farsi. Contact us for a free consultation.
Left-turning drivers who do not see an oncoming motorcycle, unsafe lane changes into a rider’s lane, rear-end crashes in stop-and-go freeway traffic, and road hazards such as gravel or potholes. On roads like Ortega Highway, Highway 74 and the canyon roads of Orange County and the Inland Empire, curves and limited sight lines add risk. If a road defect on public property played a role, a written government claim is often due within six months (Government Code 911.2).
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance is usually the first source of payment. Your own motorcycle policy may include uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments coverage. California’s minimum auto liability limits are $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage (30/60/15), effective January 1, 2025 — often too low for a serious motorcycle injury. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which insurers must offer under Insurance Code section 11580.2, may apply on your motorcycle policy or, in some situations, another household policy. Keep your helmet and gear, take photos of the bike and scene, save any helmet-cam or dashcam footage, and get witness information. Most lawsuits must be filed within two years (CCP 335.1).
Possibly. Lane splitting is not illegal in California. Whether it affects your claim depends on how it was done and what the other driver did.
No. Under pure comparative fault, your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, but it is not automatically barred.
Photograph it thoroughly first and talk to us. The damage can be important evidence.
Free, 24/7. We work on contingency.
California’s minimum auto liability limits are 30/60/15 as of January 1, 2025. If your medical bills and wage loss exceed those limits, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under Insurance Code section 11580.2 may help. Talk to a lawyer before you settle.
Orange County: call (949) 989-2511. Riverside, the Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley: call (951) 583-1900. Text (949) 776-8964 any time — we answer 24/7 and the first consultation is free. Our office staff speaks Spanish and Farsi. We work on contingency, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Related: catastrophic injuries, car accidents, case results, en español.
We have offices in Fountain Valley (18837 Brookhurst St, Ste 207), Lake Forest (22600 Lambert St, Ste 1501) and Riverside (4121 Brockton Ave, Ste 101).
For more on California motorcycle law and claims, see our posts on California motorcycle accident statistics (2021 data), lane-splitting laws, and how motorcycle accidents are investigated.
Attorney Advertising. General information only, not legal advice; contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
