Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries because riders have less protection than drivers and passengers in motor vehicles. These types of injuries can lead to significant medical expenses and time away from work, changing your life in an instant. When another person’s negligence causes your motorcycle crash, you shouldn’t have to bear these stressors alone. At Olsson Law, we guide you in protecting your legal rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses .

Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles and the South Bay

Los Angeles County is one of the most dangerous counties in California for motorcyclists. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 3,000 motorcyclists were killed or injured in Los Angeles County in 2023, the most recent year in the OTS rankings. The winding roads of Angeles Crest Highway and the Malibu canyons make for a beautiful place to ride, but they also carry real risk, and so does the daily reality of splitting lanes on the 405 and the 110 through stop-and-go traffic. While critics are often quick to blame motorcyclists for the high rate of injuries and fatalities, the reality is that motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable to distracted drivers and drunk drivers who fail to notice motorcyclists when changing lanes, turning, or exiting and entering highways.

Common Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcyclists injured in collisions with other vehicles also face a heightened risk of debilitating injuries because of their exposure. Common types of injuries include:

• Lower leg fractures
• Severe road rash
• Neck whiplash
• Facial trauma from direct impacts
• Wrist fractures

In addition to these injuries, motorcyclists are at greater risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can have severe and lifelong impacts on an individual’s ability to work, drive, and participate in activities that bring them joy. Because symptoms of a TBI do not always manifest immediately, it is important to undergo a thorough medical evaluation. Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers can evaluate how your injuries affect your claim and help determine the full scope of the compensation that you deserve.

Lane Splitting Is Legal in California

California expressly permits lane splitting. Vehicle Code section 21658.1 defines it as riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, and the same section authorizes the California Highway Patrol to develop safety guidelines for the practice.

That distinction matters after a crash because insurers routinely treat a lane-splitting rider as automatically at fault. But lane splitting is not itself illegal in California. The real question is the same one that governs any collision: which driver failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, the most important thing that you can do is ensure your own safety. If possible, move your bike to a safe location and call 911 so law enforcement and emergency personnel can respond to the scene. If you are able, make sure to obtain the contact and insurance information for any drivers involved in the crash, as well as from any witnesses. Take photos of your own injuries, damage to your bike, the scene of the accident, and any environmental factors (such as slick roads) that might have contributed to your accident.

Why Contact Olsson Law After Your Motorcycle Accident?

Whether you are dealing with road rash or a TBI, injuries from a motorcycle accident can make it difficult to deal with the process of asserting your legal rights. Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney Jon Olsson can help you collect evidence from your Los Angeles or South Bay accident, work with insurance companies to try to resolve your claim, and represent you in court if needed to ensure your rights are protected.

As a committed advocate for motorcyclists, Jon will fight back against misperceptions that motorcycle riders are always at fault, focusing instead on how the driver in your accident failed to act with reasonable care.

How Can Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help You? Schedule a Free Call Today.

Olsson Law handles motorcycle accident cases in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, El Segundo, Palos Verdes, and throughout Los Angeles County. For crashes in Torrance, see our Torrance motorcycle accident lawyer page. Case reviews are free, and you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Reach out to Jon today.