California Motorcycle Accidents

If you were injured in a California motorcycle accident that was someone else's fault, you may be entitled to compensation to pay for:

  • Past, present, and future medical bills for treatment related to your California motorcycle accident injuries
  • Lost wages for time off from work (including time spent going to doctor's appointments and physical therapy)
  • The repair or replacement of your motorcycle, car, or any property damaged or destroyed in the accident
  • Permanent disability and disfigurement stemming from the California motorcycle crash
  • The cost of hiring someone to do household chores that you're unable to do because of your motorcycle accident injury
  • Emotional distress as a result of the California motorcycle accident
  • Any other costs you've incurred because of the motorcycle accident

If anyone was killed in the motorcycle crash or if either driver was intoxicated, the State of California will prosecute the driver at fault and/or the intoxicated driver. However, you may still have to file a motorcycle accident personal injury lawsuit in California courts to recover money for your accident-related losses.

Whether you live in San Jose, Fresno, Long Beach, Anaheim, or elsewhere in California, a California motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and collect the money you deserve.

How Is Fault Determined in California Motorcycle Accidents?

To collect money stemming from a motorcycle crash injury claim, California law requires you to prove that the other driver was negligent. You must show:

  • The driver who caused your injuries had a duty not to injure you and failed to live up to that duty
  • There is a connection between the other driver's duty and your injury
  • You suffered damages, or a financial loss, as a result of the injury

California law will reduce the total amount you can recover if it's found that your carelessness contributed to your motorcycle accident injuries.

California Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

California laws require all drivers to have mandatory insurance with at least:

  • 15,000 for injury or death to one person
  • $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
  • $5,000 for damage to property

How Long Do You Have to File a California Motorcycle Accident Claim?

California law gives you two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a claim against the person at fault in the accident. (This is known as the statute of limitations.)

If you and your California motorcycle accident lawyer are unable to negotiate a settlement with the driver (or the driver's insurance company), you should consider filing a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out. If you do not file a lawsuit within two years, you will forfeit your right to sue the party responsible for your injuries.

Where Do You File a California Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

For California motorcycle crash injury claims worth more than $7,500, you would file your lawsuit in the appropriate California Superior Court.

If your California motorcycle accident claim is for less than $7,500, you would file your personal injury lawsuit in the California Small Claims Court that has jurisdiction.

Your California motorcycle accident lawyer can tell you which specific court is the appropriate court to resolve your dispute.

Additional California Motorcycle Accident Resources

The American Motorcyclist Association's summary of California state motorcycle laws

California Department of Motor Vehicles traffic accident report

Lawyers.com motorcycle accident information

California motorcycle handbook