Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Valencia & Los Angeles | Mendez & Sanchez
Whether you've been injured in an accident, are dealing with a personal injury claim, or facing another legal issue, Mendez & Sanchez APC is here to fight for you. We handle a wide range of cases and focus on one thing: getting results. Our goal is to win the maximum compensation you deserve and help you get the justice you're owed in California or Nevada. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles or Valencia, you may be entitled to money for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez handle cases across Los Angeles County, including Valencia, and will review your case for free.
Motorcycle accidents often cause life-changing injuries that are expensive to treat. Some victims cannot work for months while recovering, putting their financial security at risk. If you were injured, or lost a loved one, in a motorcycle wreck, call us today at (323) 88-1444 to arrange a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Valencia and the Santa Clarita Valley
Valencia and the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley see a high volume of motorcycle traffic on the I-5, Highway 126, and local canyon roads. Riders in this area face serious risks from drivers making unsafe lane changes, distracted driving on freeway on-ramps, and poorly maintained road surfaces. If you were hit on any of these roads, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help.
We represent injured riders throughout Los Angeles County, including Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, and Canyon Country. Our East Los Angeles office handles cases across the entire region, and we come to you if you cannot travel. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Right Away
There is a lot to do after a motorcycle crash to give your case the best chance of a fair outcome. Much of it needs to happen quickly, while evidence is still available.
You need strong evidence to prove who was at fault and how much your injuries cost you. But that evidence can disappear fast. For example, if a semi-truck hit you, the trucking company might delete the truck's black box data or alter driver logs. A dashcam or security camera might be overwritten before you can get a copy. The less evidence you have, the harder it is for your lawyer to recover what you are owed.
California also has deadlines for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. "Statute of limitations" is the legal term for this deadline. Under California law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident. Miss that window and your case will almost certainly be dismissed.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys will guide you through every step, from the first call to the final settlement or verdict. We will help you avoid early mistakes that could hurt your claim, and we will explain what to do (and what not to do) to protect your case.
Proving Negligence and Liability After a Motorcycle Accident in California
To win your case, your lawyer must show that another party was negligent. "Negligent" means they failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused your injuries.
Common examples of negligence in motorcycle accident cases include:
- Drivers who speed, drive distracted, or run red lights
- Drivers who make left turns without checking for oncoming motorcycles
- Drivers who change lanes unsafely, cutting off a rider
- Drivers who get behind the wheel while drunk or dangerously tired
- Companies that make or sell defective motorcycle parts
- Government agencies responsible for dangerous road conditions
Experienced Los Angeles and Valencia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Our team has a proven record of helping injured riders recover the compensation they deserve. We know the specific challenges motorcycle accident cases bring, including the unfair stereotype that riders are reckless. Insurance companies use that bias to lowball settlements. We push back.
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we win. Contact Mendez & Sanchez Law today to schedule your free consultation. You can also reach us through our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, or two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. If your accident involved a government vehicle or a dangerous road condition maintained by a public agency, you may have as little as six months to file a government tort claim under California Government Code § 911.2. Missing these deadlines will almost certainly result in your case being dismissed, so it's critical to contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash.
Who can be held liable for my injuries after a motorcycle accident in California?
Liability in a California motorcycle accident case can extend beyond just the at-fault driver — it may include a trucking company if a commercial vehicle was involved, a government agency if a dangerous road condition contributed to the crash, or a parts manufacturer if a defective component like faulty brakes caused the collision under California's strict products liability doctrine. California also follows a pure comparative fault system under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975), meaning even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation — your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of fault. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will investigate every potential liable party to maximize your recovery.
What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle crash in California?
In a California motorcycle accident claim, you may be entitled to economic damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life under California Civil Code § 3333. In cases involving especially reckless or malicious conduct — such as a drunk driver — you may also be eligible for punitive damages under California Civil Code § 3294. Our clients at Mendez & Sanchez have recovered millions of dollars in combined settlements and verdicts, and we'll fight to make sure every category of your loss is accounted for.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles to protect my case?
Right after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, call 911 to report the crash and get medical attention even if you feel fine, since adrenaline can mask serious injuries and gaps in treatment are often used by insurance companies to minimize your claim. Photograph the scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any skid marks before evidence disappears, and get contact information from witnesses. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney as quickly as possible so your lawyer can send spoliation letters to preserve critical evidence like dashcam footage, truck black box data, and surveillance video before it is erased or overwritten.
What are the biggest mistakes injured motorcyclists make that hurt their case in California?
One of the most damaging mistakes injured motorcyclists make is posting on social media after the accident — insurers and defense attorneys routinely monitor platforms like Instagram and Facebook for photos or statements that can be used to contradict your claimed injuries. Another common error is giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company without an attorney present, which can lock you into details that hurt your case later. In California, failing to follow your treating doctor's prescribed care plan can also be used as evidence that your injuries are not as serious as claimed, potentially reducing your compensation under comparative fault principles.
Do I really need a lawyer for a motorcycle accident claim, or can I handle it myself?
While California law does not require you to hire an attorney to file a personal injury claim, motorcycle accident cases are among the most aggressively defended by insurance companies, who often argue that motorcyclists were lane splitting illegally or were inherently reckless — stereotypes that can significantly reduce an unrepresented victim's settlement. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can independently investigate the crash, retain accident reconstruction experts, negotiate with insurers, and if necessary take your case to trial to recover full and fair compensation. At Mendez & Sanchez, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win — so there is no financial risk in getting professional representation.
Can I still recover compensation if the other driver claims I was lane splitting when the accident happened?
Yes — lane splitting is legal in California under California Vehicle Code § 21658.1, making it one of the only states where motorcyclists have an explicit right to ride between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. Even if the defense argues your lane splitting was unsafe, California's pure comparative fault system means you can still recover damages proportional to the other driver's share of fault — for example, if a driver made an unsafe left turn without checking mirrors, they may still be found predominantly liable. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney at our East Los Angeles firm can gather the evidence needed to demonstrate that the other party's negligence was the primary cause of your injuries, protecting your right to full compensation.