Aspet Bianslaw
When a Los Angeles driver causes a motorcycle crash, their insurer’s first move is almost always to blame the rider, pointing to lane splitting, speed, or visibility as reasons to reduce or deny the claim. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles at Babaians Law Firm knows exactly how to counter every one of those arguments with evidence and acts within 72 hours to preserve the surveillance footage that makes the counter-argument impossible to ignore.
Los Angeles is one of the most active motorcycle markets in the United States. Year-round riding weather, freeway commuting culture, and the practical advantages of lane splitting for LA traffic mean motorcycles are everywhere on Southern California roads. When crashes happen, the injuries are almost always more severe than equivalent car crashes, and the insurer’s response is almost always the same: blame the rider.
Babaians Law Firm starts from the evidence, not the insurer’s narrative. This page explains California’s lane-splitting law, what actually causes most LA motorcycle crashes, and how we build the case that holds the driver accountable. For our full motorcycle practice, see Motorcycle Accident Practice Page.
California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1 makes California the first state in the US to formally legalize lane splitting for motorcycles. The law authorizes the California Highway Patrol to develop safety guidelines but does not set a specific speed or differential in the statute itself.
CHP guidelines suggest:
Babaians Law Firm uses the statutory language and CHP guidelines to rebut any claim that legal lane splitting was reckless. The legal question is always whether this specific lane split, under these specific conditions, was reasonable. For the full framework, see How Much Can You Get in a Motorcycle Accident Settlement in California?.
“The rider was lane splitting dangerously.” Counter: CHP guideline compliance analysis, surveillance and dashcam footage showing speed and surrounding traffic, accident reconstruction establishing actual speed differential.
“The rider was speeding.” Counter: event data recorder analysis, vehicle damage pattern reconstruction, dashcam footage, and witness accounts establishing actual pre-impact speed.
“The rider was not visible.” Counter: headlights and tail lights are required equipment, and visibility is the driver’s legal obligation. A driver changing lanes or turning has a duty to check mirrors and blind spots regardless of vehicle type.
“The rider did not wear a helmet.” Counter: California Vehicle Code Section 27803 requires helmets, but failure to wear one applies comparatively only to head injury damages, not all injuries. Recovery is reduced, not eliminated.
“The rider chose to use a motorcycle.” This is not a legal defense. Riders have the same road rights as vehicle drivers under California Vehicle Code Section 21200.
Babaians Law Firm prepares a specific rebuttal to each anticipated defense argument before settlement discussions begin.
Left-Turn Crashes. A driver turning left across the path of an oncoming rider is the single most common scenario in LA. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 places the duty to yield on the left-turning driver.
Lane Change Crashes. A driver changing lanes without checking mirrors or blind spots. Among the easiest to prove with dashcam or surveillance evidence.
Rear-End Crashes. Drivers failing to maintain safe following distance. See Rear-End Collision Fault Rules in California.
Dooring. Drivers or passengers opening doors into the path of a rider. California Vehicle Code Section 22517 prohibits opening a door into traffic.
Distracted Driving Crashes. Phone records subpoenaed by your attorney establish active use at impact. See Texting While Driving Accidents in California.
DUI Driver Crashes. Punitive damages become available under California Civil Code Section 3294, substantially increasing the value of the case.
High-frequency crash locations include the 405 in the Sepulveda Pass, Mulholland Drive curves, PCH through Malibu, the 101 through the Valley, Sunset Boulevard from Hollywood to the coast, and surface streets in Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Echo Park where dense mixed traffic meets frequent lane changes.
Two years under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Six months for government entity defendants. See California Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Guide.
Private surveillance along LA’s crash corridors overwrites in 24 to 72 hours, and dashcam footage from other vehicles becomes harder to locate with every passing day. The driver’s insurer is already collecting its version of events. Babaians Law Firm sends preservation demands and begins the investigation immediately after you call.
The insurer’s assumption is rider fault. Our evidence says otherwise. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at Babaians Law Firm builds the case that puts fault where it belongs. No upfront cost. No fee unless we win. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Legal lane splitting under California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1 does not automatically assign fault. Babaians Law Firm evaluates whether the specific lane split was reasonable under the actual conditions.
Accident reconstruction, event data recorder downloads, dashcam footage, and witness accounts establish actual pre-impact speed.
California Vehicle Code Section 27803 requires helmets. Failure to wear one may reduce head injury damages under comparative fault but does not bar recovery for other injuries.
Punitive damages become available under California Civil Code Section 3294 when the driver was operating under the influence.
Yes. No upfront cost. You pay nothing unless we obtain a recovery.
When a driver accidentally hits a pedestrian in California, several things happen at once. Legally, the driver must stop immediately, call 911, render reasonable aid,
California leads the nation in motorcycle accidents for a few connected reasons: it has more registered motorcycles than any other state, year-round riding weather that
This distinction matters enormously for what your case is worth, and getting it wrong can cost an injured person real money. At Babaians Law Firm,
At Babaians Law Firm, we represent injured clients throughout Rancho Cucamonga and the Inland Empire, from the foothills neighborhoods near the 210 to the busy commercial
We take on fewer cases to give every client the focus they deserve. Unlike high-volume firms where cases get lost in the shuffle, we prioritize quality over quantity, delivering the attention and results your case deserves. Experience the difference with our dedicated team.
Great female led personal injury firm with good results and settlements. I highly recommend this law firm for personal injury related matters in Los Angeles and California in general.