Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Serving Long Beach, California
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Long Beach, the team at Mendez & Sanchez APC is ready to fight for you. We serve clients throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas, helping injured riders recover maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Local Roads We Know Well in Long Beach
Motorcycle accidents in Long Beach frequently occur on I-405, I-710, SR-91. If you were injured on any of these roads or anywhere in Los Angeles County, our attorneys have the local knowledge to build a strong case on your behalf.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Long Beach
After a motorcycle crash in Long Beach, motorcycles offer no structural protection, so get medical attention immediately even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask injuries, and traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not show symptoms for hours. Call the police and get a report number. Photograph the road, both vehicles, your injuries, skid marks, and the other driver's insurance card.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. What you say early on can be used against you.
Why You Should Speak to a Lawyer Before the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters often use what lawyers call "biker bias" to reduce settlements, suggesting the rider was speeding or being reckless. At Mendez & Sanchez APC, our Long Beach motorcycle accident attorneys know these tactics and counter them with evidence from day one.
Do You Actually Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident in Long Beach?
If your accident in Long Beach caused only minor damage, nobody was hurt, and the other driver's insurance quickly agreed to cover everything, you may be fine handling it yourself.
But motorcycle accidents often cause more serious injuries than car accidents because there is no structural protection. If you were hurt, if fault is disputed, or if the insurance company is slow or pressuring you to settle fast, that is when a lawyer changes the outcome.
Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Not Wearing a Helmet?
Possibly, yes. California requires all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet under Vehicle Code section 27803. If you were not wearing one and were injured, the other driver's insurer will likely argue your injuries were worsened by that choice.
Under California's comparative fault rules, your recovery may be reduced, but the absence of a helmet does not eliminate your right to compensation for the accident itself. An attorney can help limit the impact of the helmet issue on your Long Beach case.
The Insurance Company Already Made an Offer. Should You Take It?
Be careful. First offers are almost always low on purpose. Adjusters know a quick check is tempting when bills are piling up, and they count on you accepting before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign the release, you cannot go back for more, even if new medical problems appear later.
Before you sign anything, have a lawyer compare the offer to your actual costs: medical bills, time off work, future treatment, and your pain and suffering. That review is free at Mendez & Sanchez, and if the offer is fair, we will tell you honestly.
What Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost in Long Beach?
Nothing upfront, and nothing at all unless you win. Mendez & Sanchez works on a contingency fee, meaning our payment comes out of your settlement as a percentage we agree on in writing before we start. No hourly rates, no retainers, no bills in the mail.
If you recover nothing, you owe us nothing. This is also why the first consultation is free. You can tell us what happened, hear what your case may be worth, and decide with no money on the line.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Settlement Take in Long Beach?
Most motorcycle accident cases settle within a few months to a year. Cases move fastest when fault is clear and your medical treatment is finished. They take longer when injuries are still developing, fault is disputed, or the insurance company refuses to pay a fair amount and we need to file a lawsuit.
One thing we will not do is rush you into a low settlement just to close a file. The wait is usually the price of the right number. We keep you updated at every step, in English and in Spanish.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Long Beach
Long Beach roadways see motorcycle collisions every year. Our personal injury law firm has handled cases involving:
- Drivers who fail to see the motorcycle when changing lanes or turning
- Left-turn accidents at intersections where a car turns in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- Rear-end collisions from following too closely
- Distracted driving, including phone use behind the wheel
- Dooring, when a parked car occupant opens their door into a passing rider
- Dangerous road conditions such as gravel, potholes, or slick surfaces
How We Build Your Case in Long Beach
Our team takes aggressive steps to build leverage against the insurance company. We:
- Collect police reports, video footage, and scene evidence
- Interview witnesses and bring in accident reconstruction experts
- Work directly with medical providers to document your injuries
- Prepare every case for trial, even if we aim to settle
Where Your Case Gets Filed in Long Beach
Motorcycle accident injury cases in Long Beach are typically handled at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Long Beach. Our attorneys are experienced filing and litigating cases throughout Los Angeles County and know the local court procedures inside and out.
A Legal Team That Speaks Your Language
Mendez & Sanchez is a fully bilingual firm. Our attorneys and staff handle motorcycle accident cases in English and Spanish, from the first phone call through the final settlement. Your case gets explained in the language you are most comfortable with. Se habla español.