Most motorcyclists don’t realize how quickly the odds turn against them after a crash in Los Angeles. Insurance companies often look for excuses to deny valid claims, and blaming the rider is one of their easiest tactics.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we’ve seen this pattern time and again. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to expose these tactics and fight for the justice you deserve.
Breaking Down Motorcycle Crash Data in Los Angeles
Behind each of the 2,870 motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County in 2022 is a person whose life was disrupted in an instant. Many of these crashes are caused by drivers who overlook or misjudge motorcyclists, not by riders speeding or taking risks.
Here’s how those crashes broke down:
- 27% were broadside accidents, often caused by drivers making unsafe left turns or pulling out without checking for motorcycles.
- 23% were sideswipe collisions, typically involving drivers changing lanes without seeing a rider beside them.
- 19% were rear-end crashes, which happen when a vehicle follows too closely or fails to notice a stopped motorcycle at an intersection.
These types of crashes often leave riders with serious injuries and facing unfair blame. Insurance companies may argue the motorcyclist was “in a blind spot” or “riding unpredictably,” even when the evidence says otherwise.
That’s why having an experienced legal team on your side is critical for proving fault and recovering full compensation.
How to Protect Your Health and Claim After a Motorcycle Crash
A motorcycle crash can leave you confused and hurt, but those first few steps you take matter. Acting quickly helps protect your well-being and builds a strong foundation for your claim. From gathering evidence to getting medical care, every move counts toward your recovery.
Start with these five important actions:
- Get medical care right away. Even if you feel okay, some motorcycle injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, don’t appear right away. Immediate care also creates a medical record that supports your claim.
- Don’t talk to the insurance company alone. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their goal is to find ways to reduce your payout or place blame on you.
- Take clear photos and videos. Document the accident scene, vehicle positions, your motorcycle, your protective gear, and any visible injuries.
- Collect witness information. Get names and contact details from anyone who saw what happened. Their statements can help determine fault later.
- Call a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer. Before you sign anything or accept a settlement, speak with a lawyer who understands how to handle motorcycle claims and fight back against insurance company tactics.
Time is limited! California gives you two years to file a claim, but if a government entity is involved, your deadline may be only six months. Call us today!
Real Client Case: Martinez v. Sargeant – Fighting Bias Against Motorcyclists
In Martinez v. Sargeant, our client was seriously hurt when a driver suddenly turned into his lane while he was lawfully lane-splitting on a city street. The insurance company doubled down on biased assumptions, highlighting that he was wearing all black, was lane‑splitting, and presented an expert witness whose testimony was far from neutral.
Even with that, we challenged every unfair claim and secured a $240,000 verdict. This case shows exactly how insurers try to exploit stereotypes, skew expert testimony, and why it’s crucial to fight back.
Key California Laws That Protect Motorcycle Riders
Knowing the law is one of the most powerful tools a motorcyclist can have after a crash. California has specific laws designed to protect riders and ensure they’re treated fairly during the claims process.
Understanding these protections can make a major difference when an insurance company tries to shift the blame.
Here are three key protections all riders in California should know:
- Lane splitting is legal. California is the only state that explicitly allows motorcycle riders to legally ride between lanes of traffic. Insurance companies may try to call this “reckless,” but the law is on your side.
- Helmets are required in California, but not wearing one doesn’t automatically make you at fault. The insurance company might use it to reduce your claim, but you may still recover compensation for your motorcycle injuries, especially if your head wasn’t hurt or the other driver caused the crash.
- Comparative negligence still allows recovery. Under California’s comparative negligence rules, even if you were partly to blame for the crash, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Understanding these legal protections can help you stand up to unfair motorcycle accident blame in Los Angeles, and we’re here to make sure your rights are fully protected.
How Insurance Companies Use Bias to Shift Blame onto Motorcyclists
Insurance companies often fall back on outdated stereotypes to protect their profits. They frame motorcyclists as careless or aggressive to shift blame and limit payouts. But in reality, many motorcycle crashes occur because drivers fail to notice riders or don’t yield when they should.
Rather than relying on facts, some insurers jump to conclusions. In many cases, they blame the rider early on without a full investigation, because doing so makes it easier to reduce or deny compensation.
Here are some common strategies they use to shift blame:
- Blaming you for speeding or unsafe lane splitting. Even if your actions were legal and safe, insurers may claim you were riding aggressively to make it seem like you caused the crash.
- Arguing you “assumed the risk” by riding. This unfair tactic suggests that simply being a motorcyclist makes you liable, regardless of how cautiously you were operating your vehicle.
- Claiming you weren’t visible enough. They may point to dark clothing or poor lighting, even when the other driver failed to check their surroundings or follow traffic laws.
These blame-shifting tactics are designed to confuse, discourage, and undercut your ability to recover compensation. That’s why it’s essential to have a legal team that understands these strategies, knows how to challenge them, and will fight for the outcome you deserve.
Warning Signs the Insurance Company Is Working Against You
After a motorcycle accident, the insurance company may sound polite or helpful, but their real goal is to protect their profits, not your recovery. Many riders don’t realize they’re being set up until it’s too late. If you’re feeling pressured, blamed, or pushed into a decision, it’s likely because the insurer is trying to weaken your case.
Here are some red flags that the insurance company is putting its interests ahead of yours:
- You’re offered a quick settlement with no time to think. This usually happens before you understand the full extent of your injuries or lost income. The goal is to get you to accept less now, without realizing you can’t ask for more later if things get worse.
- Insurance companies often ask for recorded statements, claiming they simply want to understand what happened. In reality, these statements may be used to misrepresent your account and assign fault to you.
- They discourage you from getting legal help. If they tell you a lawyer isn’t necessary, it’s because they don’t want someone experienced standing between them and your claim.
- They assign fault before completing an investigation. If they blame you right away without reviewing the crash scene, talking to witnesses, or examining the evidence, they’re not interested in fairness. They’re trying to determine fault on their terms.
If you notice any of these warning signs, don’t wait. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances of protecting your rights and recovering compensation.
How Fault Can Affect the Value of Your Injury Case
Being unfairly blamed for a motorcycle crash can lead to serious consequences. It can result in reduced compensation, delayed medical payments, and long-term financial and health setbacks.
Insurance companies use blame as a tactic to minimize what they owe. Without a knowledgeable legal team on your side, they may succeed in avoiding full responsibility.
Here’s how unfair blame can impact your case:
- Delays in coverage for medical bills and personal injuries
- Reduced payments for lost wages or future earnings
- Stress and confusion during your recovery
- Lower offers for property damage and bike repairs
Even if you’re partly at fault, California’s comparative negligence rules may still allow you to recover compensation.
What You May Be Entitled to After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, your losses may be greater than you think. Your claim isn’t just about the crash; it’s about the lasting effects on your health, finances, and future. A strong motorcycle accident lawsuit should account for both current and future damages.
Under California law, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If the accident involved a government vehicle or public agency, you may have as little as six months to file a notice of claim. Acting quickly is essential to protect your right to compensation.
You may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses — hospital visits, surgeries, and follow-up care
- Lost income and future earnings
- Pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Property damage to your bike and gear
- Costs of long-term care or disability from severe motorcycle injuries
How Our Legal Team Fights Insurance Company Tactics
When the insurance company tries to blame you for the crash, you need someone who knows how to fight back and win. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we’ve handled countless motorcycle cases, and we understand the tactics insurers use to avoid paying fair compensation.
Whether they’re using bias, twisting your words, or stalling your claim, we know how to respond. Our goal is simple: to protect your rights and help you recover what you’re truly owed.
Here’s how we take action in your motorcycle accident case:
- Thorough crash investigation. We gather photos, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports to uncover the truth and support your claim.
- Expert analysis. We work with accident reconstruction professionals who can explain exactly how the crash happened and why you’re not to blame.
- Controlling the story. Insurance companies often twist riders’ words. We handle all communication to make sure your side is clearly and accurately told.
- Handling all the legal details. From forms to deadlines, we manage everything so you can focus on healing from your personal injuries and rebuilding your life.
Fighting motorcycle accident blame in Los Angeles takes experience and action, and that’s exactly what we bring to every case.
Why You Need a Lawyer With Motorcycle Case Experience
Motorcycle cases aren’t like other personal injury claims. They involve different traffic laws, crash dynamics, and rider rights. Not every attorney understands the challenges riders face or how to fight unfair motorcycle accident blame in Los Angeles.
Our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help. We have helped injured motorcyclists win motorcycle accident lawsuits even when they were unfairly blamed. We know the roads. We know the laws. And we know how to get results.
Consult With Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today!
Don’t let the insurance company control the outcome of your story. If you’re being unfairly blamed for a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles, you deserve a legal team that knows how to fight back and win.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we’ve spent over 20 years standing up for riders who were wrongfully accused, helping them recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. We understand what’s at stake and we’re ready to act.
Schedule your free consultation today. There’s no cost to speak with us, and no fee unless we win your case. Your recovery starts with the right legal team.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.
