A motorcycle crash leaves a rider with little protection, and an insurance company may question what the rider did. The first weeks matter: which agency wrote the report, who was at fault, and which deadlines are already running. This page explains how those pieces work in Los Angeles, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles motorcycle accident cases across Los Angeles, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your Los Angeles collision report
For crashes inside the City of Los Angeles, the LAPD Records and Identification Division releases traffic collision reports to authorized people, such as those involved in the crash and their representatives, as provided in Vehicle Code section 20012. The LAPD says you can request a report online through LexisNexis or by mail to Los Angeles Police Department, Records and Identification Division, Document Processing Unit, P.O. Box 30158, Los Angeles, CA 90030. Its recorded line for questions or a status update is (213) 486-8130. Fees change, so check the LAPD’s current instructions before you pay. Crashes on state freeways, such as the 5, 10, 101 or 405, are generally investigated by the California Highway Patrol instead.
Rules that come up in Los Angeles motorcycle claims
- Helmets. A motorcycle driver and any passenger must wear a safety helmet meeting California requirements (Vehicle Code section 27803).
- Lane splitting. California defines lane splitting as driving a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane (Vehicle Code section 21658.1). Disputes often turn on how the rider and the driver were behaving.
- Ordinary care. Everyone is responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care in managing their person or property (Civil Code section 1714).
Evidence to protect after a motorcycle crash
- Your helmet, gear and the motorcycle itself, before repairs or salvage
- Photos of the road, signals, skid marks and vehicle positions
- Names and numbers of witnesses, and any dash camera or business camera footage
- Repair estimates, medical records and proof of missed work
When the City of Los Angeles or another agency may be responsible
A pothole, a failed signal or a poorly maintained road can make a public agency partly responsible for a rider’s crash. California does not allow a lawsuit against a public entity until a written claim has been presented and acted on (Government Code section 945.4), and a claim for injury or death generally must be presented within six months of the incident (Government Code section 911.2). The City of Los Angeles accepts claims through the Office of the City Clerk online, by mail or in person at 200 North Spring Street, Room 395, City Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90012; the city does not accept claims by email or fax (see also the City Attorney claims page). Claims involving state roads, LA County or LA Metro go to those agencies, so identify the right one early.
Fault, deadlines and what a claim can cover
- Two years to file a lawsuit. Most California personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1).
- Six months for government claims. If a public agency may share the blame, the written claim deadline is much shorter (Government Code section 911.2).
- Shared fault reduces, but does not bar, your claim. California follows pure comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804).
Depending on the facts, a claim can seek compensation for medical bills, future care, lost income, reduced earning ability, property damage and the pain and disruption the injury has caused.
How a Los Angeles motorcycle accident case usually moves
- Free consultation. You tell us what happened and we explain your options. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
- Investigation. We gather the reports, photos, witness information, insurance details and your medical records.
- Claim and negotiation. We present the claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Government claim if needed. If the City of Los Angeles or another public agency may share responsibility, we prepare the written claim before the six-month deadline.
- Lawsuit if needed. If the case does not settle, we file a lawsuit in the proper California Superior Court and keep pushing toward trial.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Los Angeles
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Los Angeles in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
The consultation is free. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Los Angeles?
Most California personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2).
Do I have a claim if I was lane splitting?
California law defines lane splitting as driving a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane (Vehicle Code section 21658.1). Whether it affects a claim depends on how the rider and the driver were behaving, and shared fault reduces rather than bars compensation. We review the facts of each crash.
Does the helmet law affect my claim?
California requires a motorcycle driver and any passenger to wear a safety helmet that meets state requirements (Vehicle Code section 27803). If you were not wearing one, tell your attorney early, because an insurer may raise it. It does not by itself decide who was at fault.
What if I was partly at fault for the motorcycle crash?
California follows pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.). If you share some of the blame, your compensation is reduced by your share rather than barred.
Related pages and nearby areas
More ways we help injured people across Los Angeles County:
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer
- Los Angeles truck accident lawyer
- Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer
- Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer
- Los Angeles dog bite lawyer
- Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer
- Los Angeles wrongful death attorney
- California motorcycle accident attorneys
- Los Angeles personal injury attorneys
- Santa Monica personal injury lawyer
- Culver City personal injury lawyer
- Hollywood personal injury lawyer
- Inglewood personal injury lawyer
- Glendale personal injury lawyer
- Long Beach personal injury lawyer
- All California and Nevada areas we serve
Talk to a B&D Law Group attorney
B&D Law Group, APLC represents people hurt in Los Angeles from our Los Angeles office at 10700 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025. The consultation is free, and we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (310) 424-5252 or send us your case details.
Attorney advertising. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Agency procedures, fees and data on this page were checked against official sources in October 2026 and can change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.