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Hurt in a motorcycle crash on PCH, the I-5, or SR-55? Insurance calling already?
ALL Trial Lawyers handles motorcycle accident cases in Orange County. We represent riders injured by left-turn drivers, lane-change collisions, road hazards, and drunk drivers. We know the bias motorcyclists face from adjusters and juries. We handle the claim, the insurance carrier, and the lawsuit if it comes to that.
Mo Abuershaid has handled over 10,000 cases in Orange County. We answer the phone 24 hours a day for emergencies. You do not pay unless we recover.
Call (866) 811-4255 for a free case review.
Motorcycle crashes are not car accidents on two wheels. The injuries are worse. The bias is real. The laws are different.
Motorcyclists face automatic skepticism. Insurance adjusters assume you were speeding, weaving, or showing off. Juries assume the same. Even when the other driver turned left across your lane or merged without looking, you start at a disadvantage.
The injuries are catastrophic. You have no airbag, no crumple zone, no roll cage. A fender-bender for a car driver is a broken leg or traumatic brain injury for a motorcyclist. Road rash, spinal cord damage, and loss of limb happen in crashes that would total a car but leave the driver walking away.
California law is unique. Lane splitting is legal here under Vehicle Code 21658.1. Most drivers do not know that. Most adjusters will still try to blame you for it. Helmet law under VC 27803 requires all riders to wear DOT-approved helmets, and insurers will reduce your recovery if you were not wearing one, even when the other driver was 100% at fault.
You need a lawyer who understands motorcycle cases specifically. Not a car accident firm that treats your Harley like a Honda Civic. We represent motorcyclists. We fight the assumption that you caused the crash.
Most motorcycle crashes in Orange County happen the same ways.
Left-turn collisions. A car turns left across your lane. The driver claims they did not see you. This is the most common motorcycle accident. It happens at intersections on Beach Boulevard, Katella Avenue, and side streets across Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana.
Lane-change accidents. A driver merges into you without checking their blind spot. Happens constantly on the I-5, SR-55, and SR-73 during commute hours.
Road hazards. Potholes, gravel, oil slicks, uneven pavement. A hazard that would bounce a car tire can throw a motorcycle. PCH and the SR-91 see these regularly. Cities and Caltrans are liable when they knew about the hazard and did nothing.
Distracted driving. Texting, eating, programming GPS. The driver never saw you because they never looked up.
DUI drivers. Drunk and drugged drivers kill motorcyclists in Orange County every month. Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa see impaired-driver crashes year-round.
Dooring. A parked car door opens into your path. Common in downtown Santa Ana, Old Towne Orange, and beach parking areas.
Defective motorcycle parts. Brake failure, tire blowouts, throttle sticking. Manufacturers are liable when defects cause crashes.
We investigate every cause. We bring in accident reconstruction experts when needed. We do not accept the other driver’s version without proof.
Motorcycle crashes cause injuries that car accidents rarely do.
Road rash. Severe skin abrasions that require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring. Not minor. Not cosmetic. Painful, expensive, and disabling.
Traumatic brain injury. Even with a helmet. Concussions, skull fractures, bleeding in the brain. TBI changes your life permanently. Memory loss, mood swings, inability to work.
Spinal cord injuries. Paralysis, loss of sensation, permanent disability. A broken back or neck means surgeries, rehab, and a lifetime of medical care.
Broken bones and fractures. Shattered femurs, broken pelvis, compound fractures that require rods and pins. Months of recovery. Permanent hardware in your body.
Internal injuries. Ruptured spleen, liver damage, internal bleeding. These injuries are not always obvious at the scene. You feel okay, then collapse hours later.
Loss of limb. Amputation from the crash or from complications during treatment. Your earning capacity, your independence, your identity all change.
Permanent disability. You cannot return to your job. You cannot ride again. You need help with daily activities you used to do yourself.
Wrongful death. When the rider does not survive. We represent families in wrongful death claims against the at-fault driver and their insurer.
Medical bills for these injuries run into six and seven figures. Future care costs more. You need a lawyer who has handled catastrophic injury cases before, not someone who settles soft-tissue claims.
Call (866) 811-4255. We handle motorcycle injury cases in Orange County. Free consultation.
Winning a motorcycle case means overcoming bias and proving the other driver caused the crash.
Police reports. The investigating officer’s report documents the scene, statements, and often assigns fault. We get the report immediately and challenge errors before the insurer relies on them.
Witness statements. Independent witnesses who saw the crash. We track them down before memories fade. Witnesses matter more in motorcycle cases because adjusters assume you are lying.
Accident reconstruction. Experts who analyze skid marks, debris fields, vehicle damage, and sight lines to prove how the crash happened. We bring in reconstructionists when liability is disputed.
Helmet cam and dashcam footage. Video does not lie. If you had a camera running or a nearby car caught the crash, we get that footage before it is deleted.
Medical records. Linking your injuries directly to the crash. Insurers claim your back was already bad or your TBI came from something else. We work with your doctors to document causation.
Expert testimony. Medical experts, vocational experts, life care planners. They testify about your injuries, your lost earning capacity, and your future needs.
Overcoming motorcyclist bias. We present you as a careful, experienced rider. We show your training, your clean record, your gear. We make the jury see the crash from your perspective, not from the stereotype.
We do not accept fault when the other driver caused the crash. If the insurer says you were partially at fault, we fight that in negotiation and at trial if necessary.
California law allows you to recover several categories of damages.
Medical expenses. Every bill from the crash to maximum medical improvement. Emergency room, surgery, hospital stays, rehab, physical therapy, prescriptions, medical devices. Current and future costs.
Rehabilitation costs. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling for PTSD from the crash.
Lost wages and earning capacity. Every paycheck you missed during recovery. If you cannot return to your old job, the difference between what you earned before and what you can earn now.
Property damage. Repair or replacement value of your motorcycle, gear, and helmet. Insurers lowball bike damage constantly. We get independent appraisals.
Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. There is no formula. It depends on injury severity, permanence, and how the crash affected your daily life.
Loss of enjoyment of life. You cannot ride anymore. You cannot play with your kids. You cannot do the activities that made life worth living.
Punitive damages. When the at-fault driver was drunk, texting, or driving recklessly. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and are awarded on top of compensatory damages.
We do not get paid unless you do. Our fee comes from the recovery, not your pocket. No upfront costs. No hourly billing. We advance investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses.
If we do not recover compensation, you owe us nothing.
California motorcycle laws are different from most states. Knowing them matters.
Lane splitting is legal. Vehicle Code 21658.1 allows motorcycles to ride between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. Done safely, it is lawful. Insurers will still blame you for it. We show that lane splitting did not cause the crash.
Helmet law. VC 27803 requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets. If you were not wearing one, the insurer will reduce your recovery under comparative negligence rules, even if the helmet had nothing to do with your injuries. We minimize that reduction.
Insurance requirements. California requires motorcyclists to carry liability insurance, just like car drivers. If you were uninsured at the time of the crash, you cannot recover non-economic damages (pain and suffering) under Prop 213, even when the other driver was at fault. You can still recover medical bills and lost wages.
Comparative negligence. California uses pure comparative negligence. If you were 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $80,000. Insurers inflate your percentage to reduce what they pay. We fight their math.
Two-year statute of limitations. You have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit. Miss the deadline and your case is gone. Rare exceptions exist for late-discovered injuries or government defendants (six months for claims against cities/Caltrans).
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your injuries, your own UM/UIM policy covers the gap. We file claims against your carrier when the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
We know these laws. We use them to protect your recovery.
We handle every part of your case from day one.
Free consultation. We meet with you, review the facts, and tell you what your case is worth and what we can do. No charge. No obligation.
Investigation and evidence gathering. We visit the crash scene, photograph road conditions, get surveillance footage from nearby businesses, interview witnesses, obtain the police report, and request your medical records. We do this fast, before evidence disappears.
Dealing with insurance companies. You do not talk to the other driver’s adjuster. You do not give a recorded statement. You do not sign a medical release. We handle all communication. Adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your claim. We do not let that happen.
Negotiation and litigation. Most cases settle before trial. We negotiate from a position of strength because we prepare every case for trial. When the insurer will not offer fair value, we file the lawsuit. We have taken over 75 cases to trial in Orange County. Insurers know we are not bluffing.
No fees unless you win. We work on contingency. If we do not recover compensation, you pay nothing. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, and we advance all case costs.
Trial experience. Mo Abuershaid is a former Orange County Public Defender. He has tried over 75 cases to verdict. When your case goes to trial, we do not hand it to a junior associate you have never met. Mo tries the case.
We answer the phone 24 hours a day for emergencies. CPS investigations and criminal cases do not wait for business hours. Neither do motorcycle crashes. If you are in the hospital and need to talk to a lawyer now, call (866) 811-4255.
The first hour after a crash decides your case. Follow these steps.
Get to safety. If you can move, get out of traffic. Turn on hazard lights. Set up flares if you have them. Do not leave the scene.
Call 911. Always. Even if you think you are not hurt. Even if the other driver says “let’s not involve insurance.” You need a police report. You need medical documentation. Adrenaline hides injuries. Internal bleeding and brain injuries do not show symptoms immediately.
Document the scene. Use your phone. Photograph your motorcycle from every angle. Photograph the other vehicle’s damage. Photograph skid marks, debris, road conditions, traffic signals. Photograph your injuries, your torn gear, your damaged helmet. Take wide shots showing the intersection or road layout.
Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, phone, address, license plate, insurance company, and policy number. Do not argue about fault. Do not apologize. Just exchange information.
Get witness contacts. Ask bystanders for their names and phone numbers. Do not rely on the police to get witness statements. They often do not.
Seek immediate medical care. Go to the emergency room even if you feel okay. Tell the doctors you were in a motorcycle crash. Tell them about every part of your body that hurts. Insurers use gaps in treatment to claim your injuries were not serious.
Notify your insurance. Report the crash to your own insurer. Give basic facts only. Do not admit fault. Do not guess about injuries or damage. Just report that the crash happened.
Preserve evidence. Do not repair your motorcycle yet. Do not throw away your damaged helmet or torn gear. The insurer will want to inspect everything.
Call an attorney before giving statements. The other driver’s insurance will call you within 24 hours. They will sound sympathetic. They will ask you to give a recorded statement “just to get the claim started.” Do not do it. They are building a case against you. Talk to us first: (866) 811-4255.
Every mistake in the first 48 hours costs you money later. We walk you through what to do and what to avoid.
Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes, but your recovery will be reduced. California requires helmets under VC 27803. If you were not wearing one and suffered a head injury, the insurer will argue that the helmet would have prevented or reduced the injury. The court applies comparative negligence and reduces your award by your percentage of fault. You can still recover for injuries unrelated to your head. If you broke your leg and suffered road rash, the lack of a helmet is irrelevant to those injuries.
What if the other driver says I was speeding?
Prove you were not. Accident reconstruction experts calculate speed from skid marks, debris scatter, and vehicle damage. Helmet cam or dashcam footage shows your actual speed. Witness statements matter. The other driver’s statement alone is not proof. Insurers always claim the motorcyclist was speeding. We challenge that with evidence.
How much is my motorcycle accident case worth?
It depends on your injuries, your medical bills, your lost income, and whether you have permanent disability. Minor injuries settle for tens of thousands. Catastrophic injuries (TBI, paralysis, amputation) settle for hundreds of thousands or millions. No lawyer can give you an accurate number in the first weeks after a crash. Your value depends on reaching maximum medical improvement and knowing your full future costs. We do not settle until we know what your case is worth.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
No. The first offer is always low. Adjusters make offers before you finish treatment, before you know if your injuries are permanent, and before you have calculated lost earning capacity. They are betting you need money now and will take less than the case is worth. We do not let our clients settle early unless the offer is full value, which it almost never is.
What if I was lane splitting when the crash happened?
Lane splitting is legal in California when done safely. If you were riding between lanes at a reasonable speed and the other driver changed lanes into you, that driver is at fault. The insurer will still try to blame you. We show that you were lane splitting legally and the driver failed to check their blind spot. If you were lane splitting unsafely (excessive speed, weaving), the insurer will assign you partial fault and reduce your recovery under comparative negligence.
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
Two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit. Six months if the at-fault party was a government entity (city, county, Caltrans). These deadlines are strict. Wait too long and your case is gone. Insurance claims do not have the same deadline, but waiting hurts your case. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurers assume you were not really hurt if you wait months to make a claim. Call us now: (866) 811-4255.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
File a claim against your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you have it. UM coverage pays your damages when the other driver is uninsured. If you do not have UM coverage, you can sue the at-fault driver personally, but most uninsured drivers have no assets to collect against. This is why we tell every motorcyclist to carry UM/UIM coverage.
Do I need a lawyer for a motorcycle accident, or can I handle it myself?
You can handle a minor property-damage claim yourself. You cannot handle a serious injury claim yourself. Insurers have lawyers and adjusters whose job is to pay you less. They know the law. They know the tricks. They know how to get you to say things that hurt your claim. Catastrophic injury cases involve expert testimony, life care plans, future medical cost projections, and vocational assessments. You do not have the tools or the experience to value and prove those damages. We do.
We offer free consultations. Talk to us before you talk to the insurance company. Call (866) 811-4255.
ALL Trial Lawyers represents motorcyclists injured in Orange County crashes. We handle claims in Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and across Orange County. We answer the phone 24 hours a day for emergencies.
You do not pay unless we recover. Call (866) 811-4255 for a free case review.