--- title: "Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | Northern CA | Frank Penney" source: https://penneylaw.com/motorcycle-accidents --- > Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in California. Fighting for injured riders. $1 billion+ recovered. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. # Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Advocating for Injured Motorcyclists Legal review by [Frank D. Penney](https://penneylaw.com/frank-d-penney/), founding attorney · Last updated October 7, 2026 ## Dedicated Legal Representation for Motorcycle Accident Victims Motorcycle accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries. Unlike car occupants, motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, making them especially vulnerable on the road. When a crash occurs, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be devastating. At Frank Penney Injury Law, we understand the unique challenges motorcycle accident victims face. Insurance companies often try to blame riders for accidents, even when they're not at fault. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys fight back against these unfair tactics and work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation you deserve. ## What Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth? Get an instant, no-obligation estimate of your accident case value, then call (888) 888-0566 for a free, personalized review. **Disclaimer:** The estimate provided by this calculator is based on general statistical data and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Case values vary significantly based on individual facts and circumstances. This tool does not create an attorney-client relationship. For a personalized assessment, call us at [(888) 888-0566](tel:8888880566) or [submit a free consultation request](https://penneylaw.com/contact). Powered by [Case Value Calculator](https://casevalue.law/states/california?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=powered_by) ## Results That Speak for Themselves Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims across California. A sample of our case results: $10.5M Wrongful Death $4.5M Motorcycle Accident $3.4M Truck Accident $2.41M Auto Accident $1.2M Pedestrian Accident Any case results shown represent individual experiences and outcomes. These results are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. Individual results may vary based on the unique circumstances of each case. [See full disclaimer](https://penneylaw.com/disclaimer). ## Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle Our experienced attorneys handle all types of motorcycle accident cases, from common road hazards to collisions caused by negligent drivers. ### Lane Splitting Accidents Crashes that occur when motorcyclists ride between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. ### Left-Turn Accidents Collisions caused by drivers failing to see motorcycles when making left turns. ### Road Hazard Accidents Crashes caused by potholes, debris, uneven pavement, or poor road conditions. ### Dooring Accidents Injuries from car doors suddenly opening into the path of a motorcyclist. ### Blind Spot Accidents Collisions when drivers change lanes without checking for motorcycles. ### Rear-End Collisions Accidents where vehicles strike motorcycles from behind at stops or in traffic. ### Intersection Accidents Crashes at intersections caused by running red lights or stop signs. ### Drunk Driver Accidents Holding intoxicated drivers accountable for striking motorcyclists. ## Why Choose Frank Penney Injury Law When you're injured in a motorcycle accident, you need a law firm with the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for you. ### Understanding Rider Bias We know that insurance companies and juries sometimes hold unfair biases against motorcyclists. Our attorneys are skilled at overcoming these prejudices and presenting your case in the most favorable light. ### Proven Track Record With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, we have the experience and results to back up our reputation. We've helped countless motorcycle accident victims get the compensation they deserve. ### No Upfront Costs We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all costs and only get paid when you receive compensation. ### Thorough Investigation We conduct comprehensive investigations of motorcycle accidents, working with accident reconstructionists and experts to establish exactly what happened and who was at fault. ### Maximum Compensation Motorcycle injuries are often severe, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. We fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. ### Personalized Attention Unlike large firms that treat clients like numbers, we provide personalized attention to every case. You'll work directly with experienced attorneys who understand your situation. ## California Motorcycle Accident Statistics California ranks **3rd in the nation** for motorcycle accidents, behind only Florida and Texas, according to the National Safety Council. ### Urban Congestion Multi-lane interstates like I-5, I-10, I-80, and US-101 see heavy stop-and-go traffic, increasing rear-end and lane-change collisions. ### Lane Splitting Is Legal While lane splitting can reduce rear-end risk when done safely, unsafe merges and sudden door openings remain constant hazards that continually cause accidents. ### Helmet Law (CVC §27803) California requires DOT-compliant helmets for all riders and passengers. While helmets significantly reduce fatal head injuries, many Californians take this rule lightly. ### Peak Times and Seasons Evening commutes and warm-weather months typically see higher crash volumes due to an increase of motorcyclists riding for pleasure. ## Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents Motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, making injuries particularly severe. Here are the most common types of injuries our clients face. ### Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) Even with a helmet, motorcyclists can suffer traumatic head injuries ranging from concussions to severe TBIs that require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. ### Spinal Cord and Back Injuries Disc herniations, nerve impingement, paralysis, and chronic pain are lifelong injuries that often require injections or surgery — and they are common even in milder motorcycle accidents. ### Lower-Extremity Trauma Tibia and fibula fractures, knee ligament tears, and hip injuries are very common from accidents involving bike pinning or impact with bumpers and curbs. ### Road Rash and Soft-Tissue Damage Deep abrasions, infections, scarring, and nerve damage are common in motorcycle accidents. Depending on severity, skin grafting may be required for recovery. ### Psychological Harm Anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and driving phobia are among the most unexpected injuries from motorcycle accidents — all of which are compensable when properly documented. ## What If You Were Partially At-Fault? California follows a **pure comparative negligence** system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Don't assume you have no case. Let an attorney evaluate the evidence, traffic laws, and witness testimony before you talk to the insurer. ### Example: How Comparative Fault Works If a jury finds you **20% at fault** for lane positioning but the driver was **80% at fault** for an unsafe merge, your total award is reduced by 20%. For example, a $500,000 award would be reduced to **$400,000** — you still recover significant compensation. ## Call Frank Penney Injury Lawyers Today After a motorcycle crash, the steps you take in the first few days can dramatically affect your recovery — both medical and financial. Our skilled team of attorneys will investigate the scene, vehicles, and electronic data immediately and craft a personalized legal strategy to maximize your compensation. Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win Over $1 Billion Recovered | 30+ Years of Experience ## California Motorcycle Accident Law: What You Need to Know California has motorcycle-specific rules — and riders often face unfair bias. Here is what you should know. ### Two-Year Filing Deadline Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 you generally have **two years** from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (as little as **six months** if a government entity is involved). Missing the deadline can end your claim. ### Helmet & Lane-Splitting Laws California Vehicle Code § 27803 requires every rider and passenger to wear a DOT-compliant helmet. Lane splitting is **legal** in California (Vehicle Code § 21658.1), and doing it safely does not automatically make a rider at fault. ### Comparative Negligence & Rider Bias California uses **pure comparative negligence**, so you can recover even if you were partly at fault; your award is reduced by your share of fault. Insurers often exploit bias against riders — strong representation counters that. Not sure what your claim could be worth? Try our [case value calculator](https://penneylaw.com/how-much-is-my-case-worth), read the latest [California accident news](https://penneylaw.com/accident-news), or explore our [injury law blog](https://penneylaw.com/blog). We serve riders in [Sacramento](https://penneylaw.com/sacramento), [Roseville](https://penneylaw.com/roseville), [Oakland](https://penneylaw.com/oakland), and across Northern California. ## Motorcycle Accident FAQs ### How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in California? In California you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If a government vehicle or agency is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney quickly. ### Is lane splitting legal in California? Yes. California is the only state that expressly authorizes lane splitting (California Vehicle Code § 21658.1). Splitting lanes safely does not automatically make a rider at fault, though the other driver's insurer may still try to shift blame. ### Can I still recover if I wasn't wearing a helmet? Yes. California's pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover even if you were partly at fault. Not wearing a helmet will not bar your claim, though it may reduce the damages attributed to a head injury. ### How much does it cost to hire Frank Penney Injury Law for a motorcycle accident case? Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free. ## What Our Clients Say Real five-star reviews from clients on our Google Business Profile. > Was involved in a car accident not my fault and I called Penney and they got me in right away. Josh my lawyer at Frank Penney fought hard for me. They were able to get me 5 times the settlement originally offered by State Farm. Couldn't be happier. > I was assigned to Mark McCauley and have been impressed with his work-ethic and caring demeanor since our very first meeting. Over the last 18 months, I have had extensive treatment all because Mark was willing to push even when my insurance company resisted. I will continue to recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to anyone that is in need of an exemplary attorney. > If you have been in an auto accident, seek out Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. They are the best at what they do. A very special thanks to Joshua Boyce — my guiding star, the man in my corner, and an incredible and caring human being. > My case was a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle and car — I broke my femur. In the end, the opposing party was negligent and I won the case and earned the maximum settlement offered by the opposing insurance company. Stop looking around and choose Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. > I feel so blessed to have had Frank Penney Injury Lawyers represent me after I was injured in an auto accident. I was a victim of a hit and run and I am so thankful I found them to help. My attorney, Mark, was so responsive and made sure I received updates on my claim. > From the very beginning, the team was professional, compassionate, and always made me feel like a priority. Frank and his staff truly cared about my recovery and worked hard to make sure I received a fair settlement. I'm so grateful for their dedication and highly recommend them to anyone in need of a reliable and trustworthy personal injury lawyer! > Working with Frank Penney as my personal injury attorney has been an amazing experience. He's dedicated and fights hard for his clients. I would highly recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and his team to anyone needing a trustworthy and powerful firm. > Mark McCauley was just astounding. He fought hard for me and my settlement was more than I thought possible. If you are looking for a personal injury attorney, make them your first call. > I can't say enough about Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and all the hard work they put into winning my case. I am very impressed on how they got such a great settlement for me and my daughter. They will be my personal injury lawyer for life. > Frank Penney and his team seriously came through for me. I got rear ended on the freeway, and had no idea what to do next. They handled everything — paperwork, calls, negotiations — and when the settlement hit, I was astonished. > While stopped at a red light, a very high speed motorcycle went into the back of my car, completely totaling my vehicle and creating significant injuries for me. From the very first call to Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, I felt sympathy, compassion and a desire to help me. I could not have asked for a better legal team in my corner. > After I was injured in a substantial rear-end collision, the other insurance company fought hard to avoid accepting responsibility — but James and Priscilla fought both harder and smarter on my behalf. I was shocked when my case ultimately went all the way to trial, but James delivered a solid victory — a victory that not only met but exceeded our last demand. > Joshua, at Frank Penny Injury Lawyers, handled my very complex injury case as if I was part of their family. His dedication and thoroughness resulted in a settlement that will help me overcome the injuries and complications I had suffered. Thanks again, Frank Penney and Staff. > I was in a car accident and rear ended. My chiropractor actually referred me to Frank Penney! They lined me up with the medical help I needed and negotiated a great settlement for me in a timely manner. Highly recommended. > Me and my husband got into a car accident back in October 2020. We went with Frank Penny Injury Lawyers because they're only the best around! We closed our case without having to go to court. Thank you Frank Penny Injury Lawyers — we were very pleased! Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of past clients and are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. [See full disclaimer](https://penneylaw.com/disclaimer). ## Related Practice Areas ### Car Accidents ### Truck Accidents ### Wrongful Death ### Slip and Fall ### All Practice Areas