Motorcyclists in Glendale face unique vulnerabilities and biases that make post-accident legal representation especially critical. Beyond the obvious physical danger—lack of protective vehicle frame means injuries are typically more severe—riders also battle prejudices from insurance adjusters, juries, and even police officers who assume bikers are reckless or somehow asking for trouble.
This bias manifests in countless subtle ways: accident reports blaming motorcyclists without proper investigation, insurance adjusters immediately questioning whether you were speeding or “showboating,” witnesses who remember you “flying by” when you were going the speed limit, and jurors predisposed to think motorcycle riding itself is irresponsible. Overcoming these prejudices requires attorneys who understand motorcycle culture, riding dynamics, and how to present cases that counter negative stereotypes.
Why Generic Car Accident Lawyers Aren’t Enough
Motorcycle crashes differ fundamentally from car accidents in ways that matter for legal cases. Lane splitting (legal in California), counter-steering, braking dynamics, visibility challenges, road hazards that don’t affect cars—these are foreign concepts to attorneys who primarily handle auto cases.
When attorneys don’t understand these nuances, they can’t effectively counter insurance arguments, miss crucial evidence, fail to explain legal maneuvers convincingly, or inadequately demonstrate how car driver negligence caused crashes. You need motorcycle-specific expertise.
1. Avian Law Group
Avian Law Group has developed particular expertise in motorcycle accident litigation, understanding both the legal complexities and the bias-fighting required for successful outcomes. Several attorneys are riders themselves, bringing personal knowledge that translates to better case handling.
Their investigation approach accounts for motorcycle-specific factors. They document lane positioning and lawfulness, road surface conditions particularly dangerous to motorcycles, visibility from driver’s perspective (countering “I didn’t see him” defenses), whether protective gear affected injury severity, and motorcycle condition and maintenance.
Lane splitting cases receive special attention. California Vehicle Code 21658.1 explicitly allows lane splitting when done safely. However, insurance companies and opposing attorneys often mischaracterize legal lane splitting as reckless. The firm uses traffic engineering experts to analyze lane splitting circumstances, show it was legal and reasonable, demonstrate other driver created danger, and counter suggestion that splitting itself caused crash.
Common motorcycle crash scenarios they handle include left-turn collisions (driver turns left across motorcyclist’s path—the most common fatal motorcycle crash), rear-end collisions (cars following too closely or distracted), right-of-way violations (cars pulling out from side streets or driveways), dooring (parked car opening door into traffic lane), road hazard crashes (potholes, gravel, uneven pavement particularly dangerous to motorcycles), and defective motorcycle parts (brake failures, tire defects).
Injury severity in motorcycle crashes tends toward catastrophic: road rash requiring skin grafts, broken bones with permanent complications, traumatic brain injuries despite helmet use, spinal cord injuries causing paralysis, and amputations. These cases require extensive medical expert testimony, life care planning, and economic analysis justifying multi-million dollar demands.
The firm aggressively counters insurance company tactics like suggesting lack of protective gear means you’re partially at fault (California law says failure to wear helmet reduces recovery only if helmet would have prevented specific injury), claiming speed without evidence, alleging you were performing stunts or tricks, and asserting motorcycle inherently dangerous so you assumed risk.
They work with motorcycle safety experts who can testify about proper riding techniques, accident reconstruction specialists with motorcycle crash experience, medical experts familiar with motorcycle injury patterns, and economists who understand motorcyclists’ earning capacity (often skilled trades or professionals).
2. The Dominguez Firm
The Dominguez Firm handles motorcycle accident cases with resources and experience. Their accident reconstruction capabilities help prove liability in complex crashes. They understand helmet laws, lane splitting legality, and motorcycle right-of-way issues. Extensive expert networks include motorcycle-specific specialists. Track record includes substantial settlements and verdicts for injured riders.
3. Citywide Law Group
Citywide Law Group provides dedicated representation for motorcycle accident victims with emphasis on overcoming anti-biker bias. They prepare cases for trial from the start, knowing insurance companies settle better when facing prepared opponents. Their investigative approach includes scene examination, witness interviews, and expert consultation specific to motorcycle dynamics.
4. West Coast Trial Lawyers
West Coast Trial Lawyers has secured multiple seven-figure results for motorcycle accident clients. Their trial experience provides leverage in settlement negotiations—insurers know they’ll actually litigate. They handle catastrophic injury cases requiring significant resources and sophisticated expert testimony. Rapid response team begins investigation immediately after crashes.
5. The Reeves Law Group
The Reeves Law Group offers comprehensive representation understanding motorcycle culture and legal issues. Their systematic approach includes thorough investigation, expert consultation, aggressive negotiation, and trial preparation. They challenge anti-motorcycle bias directly with evidence and expert testimony demonstrating responsible riding.
California Motorcycle Law Essentials
Lane splitting is legal when done safely. No specific speed limit exists for splitting, but CHP recommends no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic and avoiding splitting above 30 mph. These are guidelines, not laws.
Helmet laws require DOT-approved helmets for all riders and passengers. Handlebar height restrictions limit handlebars to shoulder height or below. Lane sharing (two motorcycles side-by-side in one lane) is legal if consensual and safe.
Comparative negligence applies—you can recover even if partially at fault, reduced by fault percentage. Insurance companies often exaggerate rider fault to reduce payouts.
Common car driver violations causing motorcycle crashes include failure to yield right-of-way, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, left turns across traffic, failure to check blind spots, and distracted driving. These violations establish liability but must be proven with evidence.
Document everything after crashes: photos of scene, vehicles, injuries; witness contact information; police report number; medical records; damaged gear; and your account of what happened while fresh. Don’t apologize or admit fault—even saying “I’m sorry” can be twisted.
Bottom line: Motorcycle accidents require specialized legal expertise countering bias and understanding unique crash dynamics. Attorneys who primarily handle car cases often lack this knowledge. Find motorcycle-specific advocates who ride or thoroughly understand riding to ensure proper representation.