California law can be very tough on motorcyclists. In California, if a motorcycle rider is injured in a collision, they have a right to claim all their economic losses against another motorist such as past and future medical bills, and also past and future loss of income.
Non-Economic Damages
Most often, the largest item of compensation for personal injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident is for something called non-economic losses. Non-economic losses reflect damage done to your quality of life, and may consist of past and future pain and suffering, embarrassment, humiliation, inconvenience, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of…
Riding a motorcycle is a popular form of transportation and recreation in California. However, it is essential to have the necessary license and permit to ride a motorcycle legally. California law requires motorcycle riders to have a specific type of license, which varies depending on the rider’s age and experience level. Failure to ride a motorcycle without a license can result in serious penalties, so it is important to be aware of these important requirements.
How to Obtain a Motorcycle Permit in California
Before acquiring a motorcycle license in California, any rider under the age of 21 must first secure…
As a motorcyclist, you risk getting into an accident every time you head out on the road. From unsafe road conditions to dangerously negligent drivers, motorcyclists are vulnerable to serious injuries and collisions. If you find yourself in this situation, you could face significant financial hardship, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
In California, the person or entity who caused your accident is financially responsible for your damages. The liable party is required to pay for your medical bills, as well as lost wages, property damage, and other losses. To find the defendant, you will need to determine who was at…
A Good friend of mine who is also a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer used to advertise to motorcyclists, using the slogan “Because they just can’t see you.” And of course, lawyers defending drivers who have injured motorcycle riders often try to exploit the prejudice that many jurors and judges have against motorcyclists by subtly asking jurors to forgive the offending drivers because “these motorcycle riders are just so hard to see.”
While we cannot honestly argue that motorcycles are as easy to see as automobiles or trucks or buses, we do know that the motorcycle and the rider…
The California Rider Legal Review was created by Choulos Choulos and Wyle, L.L.P., motorcycle lawyers and life-long motorcycle riders, to help explain California motorcycle laws in a short and easy to understand way. Hopefully, by helping riders to better understand the law, we can reduce California motorcycle accidents and injuries.
California Law on Motorcycle Headlamps
So, let’s talk about the California law on motorcycle headlamps, meaning the white light on the front of your motorcycle. Is a headlamp required? The short answer is YES, mostly. California Vehicle Code, Section 25650 says that every motorcycle during darkness shall have at…
