Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of a traffic accident may be overwhelming and stressful, to say the least. You may want to hold off contacting the best Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney to collect your thoughts. However, auto insurance companies will not wait and do not have your best interests at heart. Furthermore, a two-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury claims.

Insurance claims adjusters are trained to act quickly by investigating the details of a crash to dispute their insured’s negligence. This is their way of shifting financial liability and protecting their bottom line. It is essential to work with an attorney experienced in handling motorcycle accident cases like yours. You will find that when you work with our legal team at AutoAccident.com.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reported that 154 traffic collisions involved motorcyclists in Sacramento in 2020. According to a 2019 report by the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) of UC Berkeley:

To keep everyone safe on the road, NHTSA urges drivers and motorcyclists to be alert and share the road. Motorcyclists are also reminded to make themselves visible, ride sober, and always wear a helmet that meets the criterion set forth by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. You can look for the DOT symbol on the back of the helmet.

Safe riding takes good judgment, balance, and coordination. Experienced motorcycle riders know traffic laws, and they don’t take risks. Bikers ride defensively and leave plenty of room between their motorcycles and other vehicles. Most motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers who didn’t see the motorcyclist. Safe riding practices from all drivers will help decrease the number of injuries and deaths.

To improve your safety while riding a motorcycle, check road conditions before leaving the house. This will help give you an idea of dangerous roads and current traffic conditions. A little planning ahead can help make your journey as a motorcyclist less risky.

Watch the following video to learn about the seven essential tips for motorcycle safety.

Like other major traffic crashes, injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be severe and life-altering. The most common types of injuries suffered in motorcycle crashes include:

• Amputations
• Burn injuries to the head or neck
• Cervical sprain
• Dislocated or fractured bones
• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

The best Sacramento motorcycle injury lawyer can help seek the maximum compensation you need for losses resulting from a crash. You can expect just that when you work with our legal team at AutoAccident.com.

Understanding what causes motorcycle accidents helps us prove fault and prevent future crashes. At AutoAccident.com, we’ve investigated thousands of motorcycle collisions in Sacramento and throughout California. While every case is unique, we frequently see the same dangerous patterns.

1. Left-Turn Collisions

One of the most common—and deadly—scenarios for riders. A driver turns left in front of a motorcycle, often claiming they “didn’t see” the rider. These crashes often happen at:

• Intersections like Watt Avenue & El Camino
• Freeway on/off ramps
• Driveway exits where drivers fail to yield

2. Lane-Splitting Accidents

California is one of the few states where lane-splitting is legal. While it can reduce congestion for riders, it also:

• Puts motorcycles between larger vehicles in close quarters
• Requires extra vigilance from both riders and drivers
• Is often misunderstood by drivers, leading to unsafe lane changes

3. Distracted or Impaired Drivers

Texting, eating, adjusting GPS, or driving under the influence are leading causes of catastrophic motorcycle crashes. In Sacramento, we’ve seen a rise in cell phone-related collisions near busy corridors like Highway 50 and I-80.

4. Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Higher speeds mean less reaction time. For riders, even a low-speed impact can cause serious injury. Aggressive behaviors—tailgating, weaving through traffic—are especially dangerous for motorcyclists.

5. Road Hazards and Poor Maintenance

Motorcycles are more vulnerable to:

• Potholes
• Loose gravel
• Oil spills
• Uneven pavement
  These hazards are common on secondary roads like Florin Road or rural routes leading out of Sacramento County.

6. Dooring Incidents

In urban areas like Midtown Sacramento, a driver or passenger may open a car door into a rider’s path without checking for approaching motorcycles. These sudden hazards can cause devastating crashes.

Why Identifying the Cause Matters

Proving the exact cause of your accident is key to holding the right party accountable—whether that’s another driver, a government agency responsible for road upkeep, or a commercial vehicle operator. Our investigations combine accident reconstruction, expert testimony, and detailed evidence collection to show exactly what happened and why you deserve full compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, call us now at 916-921-6400 for free, friendly advice. We’re here to protect your rights and get you back on the road to recovery.

Editorial Transparency:

Portions of this page were created or enhanced using secure artificial intelligence tools under the supervision of our legal team to ensure accuracy and clarity. All legal information has been reviewed and approved by a licensed California attorney

Many insurance companies seem to believe that motorcyclists assume the risk of their own injuries because they choose to ride a motorcycle. Blame is often unfairly placed on the biker for being in the wrong part of the lane, not slowing down enough, or even not moving out of the offending vehicle’s path.

However, as experienced Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers, we have found that most collisions occur when a motor vehicle driver does not check for bikers on the road. Most crashes happen because drivers either turn left into the motorcyclist’s path or pull out from a side street.

After getting injured in a traffic collision as a motorcyclist, you may be wondering if the at-fault driver has auto insurance to cover your damages. You will need to file an SR-19C form with the California DMV. This form will determine whether the at-fault party has a valid auto insurance policy.

If the SR-19 form concludes that the other driver has no insurance, then your uninsured motorist coverage may come into play and cover your damages up to the limits of your policy. If you were injured in an accident involving a negligent driver with little to no liability insurance, reach out to the best motorcycle crash attorney near you for a free case evaluation.

As experienced California motorcycle accident attorneys, we understand your immediate goal to make sure all medical expenses and future treatments are covered. This way, you do not suffer financially.

First, we will discuss your situation and go over the options available. Secondly, our law firm will work with insurance companies and other parties involved in the case to make sure your bodily injury claim is handled appropriately and quickly. And finally, if your needs are not met, we have no problem taking these parties to civil court in Sacramento County to seek maximum compensation for your motorcycle injuries.

The lawyer handling the car accident case in Sacramento will prepare a demand letter to the insurance company. The demand package will consider current and future projected economic damages and non-economic damages, such as:

• Medical costs
• Long-term medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injury or disability
• Loss of consortium
• Other out-of-pocket losses

Starting in 2025, California motorcyclists will face updated minimum insurance liability limits under Senate Bill 1107, also known as the Protect California Drivers Act. This legislation increases required coverage to $30,000 ($15,000 initially) for bodily injury or death per person, $60,000 ( $30,000 initially) per accident, and $15,000 (5,000 initially) for property damage. By 2035, these amounts will rise even higher, ensuring broader financial protection for riders.

These new insurance requirements offer motorcyclists stronger financial safeguards after an accident by covering a greater portion of medical expenses and repair costs. However, the increased coverage limits may lead to higher insurance premiums as providers adjust their pricing. While riders might see larger monthly payments, the expanded protection can be critical in severe crashes, providing added financial security and reassurance on the road.

Why do you ask questions about motorcycles in general?

Because many people have strong opinions—positive or negative—about motorcyclists. Some believe all riders are reckless or always speeding. If someone holds that belief, even unconsciously, it can affect how they judge the evidence. We need jurors who can set aside stereotypes and decide the case only on the facts.

What kinds of questions do you ask to uncover bias?

We ask open-ended questions, such as:

• “What’s your first thought when you see a motorcycle weaving through traffic?”
• “Do you believe most motorcycle crashes are the rider’s fault?”
• “Have you, a friend, or family member ever had a bad experience with a motorcycle on the road?”

These give people room to share their real feelings, which helps us see if they can be fair.

Do you ask about past experiences with crashes?

Yes. We want to know if a juror—or someone close to them—has been in a crash involving a motorcycle. That experience can make it harder to be neutral, even if they think they can. We also ask how that experience might influence them in deciding this case.

Why do you ask about police reports?

In many cases, the police report isn’t the final word on fault. We ask questions like:

• “Do you believe police reports are always correct about who caused a crash?”
• “If evidence in court showed the report was wrong, would you be open to that?”

This helps identify jurors who might automatically side with an officer’s conclusion, even if it’s contradicted by expert analysis.

How do you find out if someone automatically blames the injured person?

We ask questions that bring out assumptions:

• “If someone is injured in a crash, do you assume they must have done something wrong?”
• “If the injured person was on a motorcycle, would that change your thinking?”

These show us whether someone leans toward blaming the rider from the start.

Why do you ask about science, calculations, and expert witnesses?

In this case, accident reconstruction—using physics, skid mark analysis, and other technical evidence—is important. If a juror doesn’t believe in or trust that kind of science, or if they think it’s “just lawyer talk,” they may not fairly weigh that evidence.

Do you talk about damages during jury selection?

We can’t talk about specific amounts, but we do ask if jurors believe there should be limits on what an injured person can recover, or if they think pain, suffering, or loss of enjoyment are “real” damages. These attitudes can matter a lot when it’s time to decide the outcome.

How do you use the answers you get?

If someone’s answers show they can’t be fair and impartial—either for or against one side—we may ask the judge to excuse them for cause. If the judge doesn’t, we can use a peremptory strike to remove them without giving a reason. The goal is to have a jury that will truly listen to the evidence and follow the law.

In California, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your accident involved a government vehicle or happened on government property—such as a city bus or poorly maintained public road—the timeline is much shorter: just six months to file a government claim.

Tip: Even if you think you have plenty of time, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so important evidence doesn’t get lost and deadlines aren’t missed.

Sadly, hit-and-run crashes and uninsured drivers are all too common. If this happens, you still have options:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: If you carry this on your policy, it can help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver can’t pay.
• Other avenues of recovery: An attorney can investigate whether there are additional parties or policies that might apply.
  It’s important to report the accident to police right away and get medical attention—even if the other driver isn’t found.

California follows a pure comparative fault system. That means if you’re found partly at fault for your accident, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example: If your case is worth $100,000 and you’re found 20% responsible, you could still recover $80,000.
The good news? Even if you’re mostly at fault, you may still be entitled to some compensation—so it’s worth talking to a lawyer to see what’s possible.

California law requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets. A motorcycle accident where a biker is not wearing a helmet and suffers head trauma may affect a claim for damages. If someone else caused the crash, wearing a helmet would not make any difference and should not affect the compensation received. For more information, contact an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney near you.

Call Our Sacramento Motorcycle Lawyers for Your Free Consultation

If you or a family member was injured in a recent motorcycle crash, you may have grounds for a claim for damages or lawsuit. Our Sacramento motorcycle accident attorneys are here for you and your family. We can help you seek full compensation and justice. Find out more today by contacting our legal team at AutoAccident.com for free, friendly case advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.