Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Dedicated Motorcycle Accident Attorneys In Orange County, California

Each year in the United States, about 50,000 people are injured and 3,000 lose their lives in motorcycle accidents. Because riders are more exposed than motorists, these crashes often cause life-changing injuries such as spinal cord trauma or brain damage. Motorcycle accident cases in Orange County require specialized legal knowledge. Before signing insurance documents or admitting fault, speak with an experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer. At Aitken * Aitken * Cohn*, our attorneys — including Chris Aitken and Ashleigh Aitken — have represented riders injured on major roadways such as I-5, SR-55, and Pacific Coast Highway, and we understand the challenges riders face in the Orange County Superior Court system.

Our firm has recovered millions for injured motorcyclists throughout Orange County, including riders hurt on I-5 and the 405. We’ve handled catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving unsafe lane changes, speeding, and defective motorcycle components—earning recognition from Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and ABOTA for outstanding results in motor vehicle litigation.

If you or a loved one has suffered motorcycle injuries or death as a result of an accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your financial and emotional losses. Let the competent and caring Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn evaluate your case FREE of charge and determine your best course of action. Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation or call our Orange County personal injury lawyers.

Commonly Asked Questions about Motorcycle Accidents

Safely move to a secure area if possible, call 911, get medical attention (even if injuries seem minor), photograph the scene, your injuries, and the vehicles involved, gather driver info and witness contacts, preserve your bike and gear, and contact a motorcycle accident lawyer before giving statements to insurers.
Like many injury attorneys, motorcycle accident lawyers usually work on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing out of pocket, and the attorney takes a portion of your recovery if the case succeeds. Clarify in your agreement how case expenses (experts, filing fees) will be handled.
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can recover damages even if you share fault. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies may use your actions (e.g. lane splitting, speeding) to argue for a higher fault percentage.
You may recover economic damages (medical bills, future care, rehabilitation, lost wages, property damage to your bike or gear) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). In rare cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available.
The statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the crash. If a governmental entity might be responsible (e.g. defective road), shorter deadlines apply for the required government claim. Special rules may apply for minors or late discovery.
Many motorcycle accident cases settle through negotiation with insurance companies. But when parties disagree on fault or valuation, or offers are unfair, litigation may be necessary. An attorney ready for trial generally achieves better outcomes.
Photos and videos of the crash scene, road conditions, vehicle damage, witness statements, police reports, medical records, expert opinions (accident reconstruction, prognosis), and any vehicle data (if available) can be crucial to your case. Preserving your motorcycle and gear in post-accident condition is critical.
Not always, but often. Many motorcycle collisions happen because drivers fail to notice motorcycles or violate traffic laws. However, other factors (road hazards, defects, rider error) may contribute. Liability depends on the evidence and circumstances.
Yes. A local attorney understands Orange County’s courts, judges, insurance practices, and local roads/cycling culture. That insider knowledge often helps in strategy, negotiation, and litigation.
It depends on injury severity, complexity of liability, number of parties, and whether the case goes to trial. Some cases resolve within a few months; complex ones or those that require litigation might stretch over a year or more.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents commonly result from another party’s negligence, product defects, or road hazards. The following factors often lead to severe injuries:

  1. Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather such as rain, snow, strong winds, and hail can make riding a motorcycle more dangerous. Additionally, some drivers, especially those in large trucks or SUVs, may continue to drive fast despite poor visibility or slick roads, failing to see motorcycles or stop in time on icy or wet roads.
  2. Defective Motorcycle Parts or Poor Maintenance: Motorcycle manufacturers must sell safe bikes. Defective components, such as tires or brakes, can malfunction and cause crashes. For example, if brakes fail on the highway, a motorcyclist may lose control and collide with another vehicle. Similarly, improper maintenance by a mechanic can lead to malfunctions.
  3. Vision Obstructions: Buildings or traffic can make motorcyclists less visible to other drivers. Roads should be designed to maximize visibility, and drivers should be aware of potential obstructions. Distracted drivers, in particular, may not see motorcyclists when vision is obstructed, increasing the risk of collisions.
  4. Violation of Motorcyclist’s Right of Way: Motorcyclists have the same rights on the road as other vehicles. However, some drivers may be impatient and fail to yield properly, leading to accidents when a motorcycle is cut off or pushed off the road.
  5. Failure to Comply with Traffic Laws: All drivers are expected to follow traffic laws. Common violations leading to motorcycle accidents include speeding, failing to yield, running traffic signals, tailgating, aggressive driving, reckless driving, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
  6. Road Hazards: Debris, potholes, puddles, and uneven pavement can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists, who must constantly maintain their balance. Hitting a pothole can cause a motorcyclist to fly forward off their bike, while other hazards can throw them off balance, leading to crashes.

How we seek compensation on your behalf will depend largely on what caused your crash and the nature of your damages. While some law firms treat every case like a file number, we know each client and claim has unique needs and concerns; we handle every case with the individualized attention it deserves.

“Richard Cohn was professional and understanding. At Aitken Aitken Cohn we were treated like family with love, respect, and compassion. “

B.F. – Client Review

Motorcycle accidents and injuries can occur suddenly and without warning. One moment you may be enjoying a ride in the California sunshine, and the next, you could be lying on the pavement with serious injuries, fearing for your life. An instant can have lasting consequences, potentially affecting you for months, years, or even permanently. Such an accident can drastically alter your life, leading to a long, painful recovery and overwhelming financial losses.

If you believe another party caused your motorcycle accident, you should never hesitate to call our Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers for help.

Devastating Injuries To Motorcyclists

The consequences of a motorbike accident are usually severe—nearly 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in serious injury or death. A wide variety of injuries can result from a crash, as nearly every part of a motorcyclist’s body is exposed to the impact with another vehicle, the pavement, or another object. Many motorcyclists suffer multiple injuries to multiple body parts, including severe injuries that are not readily visible. While every case is different, some of the most frequent injuries include:

  • Internal organ damage – Any time the body experiences severe trauma, internal injuries can occur. Motorcyclists can suffer a range of internal injuries, including punctured lungs, damage to the spleen, kidneys, or liver, broken pelvis or ribs, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or ruptured diaphragm. While you may not be able to see these injuries immediately, they require emergency care or they can be life-threatening. Every motorcycle accident victim should undergo an immediate evaluation to determine whether they have suffered any internal injuries.
  • Bone fractures – Even minor broken bones need medical attention and can keep you from working, driving, or engaging in other regular activities. Motorcycle accidents can often result in significantly more serious broken bones. Multiple fractures or compound fractures can require surgery, as doctors often must insert hardware to help the bone heal properly. Sometimes, subsequent surgeries are required, and each one will have a significant recovery time. If a motorcycle lands on top of a rider, a bone may be shattered or crushed and doctors may never be able to fully repair it.
  • Loss of limbs – Sometimes crushed limbs are not repairable, even with multiple surgeries. In such cases, the limb may need to be amputated and replaced with a prosthetic. Motorcycle accidents can sometimes result in a severed extremity or limb, as well, and doctors may not be able to reattach it. Any amputation—even of a finger—can significantly change the way you live. In addition, even basic prosthetics are expensive and must be replaced over time, leading to ongoing costs for the rest of your life. Losing a body part can also be physically and emotionally painful.
  • A permanent disability such as paraplegia and quadriplegia – The spinal cord is particularly susceptible to damage and injury in a motorcycle accident. When the spinal cord is severed or seriously injured, victims can be permanently paralyzed below the injury. If the injury is in the lower spine, they may suffer from paraplegia, which is paralysis of the pelvis and legs. If the injury is in the upper spine, they may suffer from quadriplegia, which is the loss of functioning of all four limbs and the torso. Paralysis may also affect the functioning of certain organs, including the lungs, bladder, bowels, and sexual organs. Complete paralysis is irreversible and life-altering for victims and their families.
  • Long-term damage to soft tissue and skin (road rash) – “Road rash” is a friction burn that occurs when a motorcyclist’s skin comes in contact with a rough surface, such as pavement or a gravel shoulder of a highway. Like any other burn, friction burns can damage many layers of skin and can require burn treatments to prevent infection. Such burn injuries can often leave a victim with permanent scars. Motorcycle accidents can also cause tears and other damage to tendons, ligaments, and muscles, which may require extensive physical therapy or surgery.
  • Traumatic brain injury – Many motorcyclists hit their heads in a crash. Even if a motorcyclist is wearing an approved safety helmet, such violent head trauma can still result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI occurs when the brain hits the skull, damaging the brain tissue. Depending on where the injury occurs in the brain, this injury can cause cognitive, physical, and/or behavioral disabilities. Some TBI victims can recover with months or years of rehabilitation, however, many will be left with permanent disabilities. This is known as a “silent” injury, since it is not visibly obvious, so it can be particularly difficult to live with.

Any of the above injuries can significantly disrupt your life. Whether you need weeks of rest, months of physical therapy, or years of ongoing struggles, most motorcycle injuries are extremely challenging to handle. They can prevent you from working, caring for your family, participating in physical and recreational activities, or even taking care of yourself. Additionally, you will likely face debilitating medical bills.

Our Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers understand the impact severe injuries can have on our clients’ lives. We are dedicated to vigorously defending the rights of accident victims and aggressively negotiating for the compensation they deserve. We do not back down until each client receives the best possible outcome.

Our Experience Handling Motorcycle Accident Claims

With over 50 years of combined trial experience, Aitken Aitken Cohn has represented motorcyclists across Southern California—from Santa Ana and Irvine to Anaheim and Huntington Beach. We understand the bias riders often face from insurance companies and juries, and we know how to overcome it through detailed accident reconstruction, helmet-safety analysis, and expert testimony. Our trial-tested approach has helped secure justice and life-changing recoveries for countless Orange County riders and their families.

Your Rights As A Motorcyclist

If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered wrongful death in a motorcycle accident in Orange County, you may be entitled to recover damages, including medical bills, lost income or earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances of the case, another driver, product manufacturer, government entity, or other negligent third party may be held accountable for your losses.

“Your wonderful expertise made an unfortunate and life-changing accident a little more tolerable with less stress for me.”

G.H. – Client Review

Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

What to Expect: A Clear Path Forward After Your Motorcycle Accident

Navigating the legal process after a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. At Aitken Aitken Cohn, we are committed to providing clear communication and guidance every step of the way. Our process typically involves:

  • Free Initial Consultation: We’ll discuss your accident, assess your case, and answer your questions with no obligation.
  • In-Depth Investigation: Our team will thoroughly investigate your accident, gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts if necessary.
  • Aggressive Negotiation: We will vigorously negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
  • Trial Readiness: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to fight for maximum compensation.”

How Our Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Fight For You

Navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in Orange County requires experienced legal help. While dealing with your injuries and recovery, you’ll also face the complex process of seeking compensation, typically through insurance claims. However, insurance companies are businesses focused on minimizing payouts. If you handle your claim alone, you risk receiving a settlement offer far below what you need and deserve.

This is where the skilled legal team at Aitken Aitken Cohn makes a critical difference. With decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases throughout Orange County, we understand the tactics insurance adjusters use to undervalue claims or place unfair blame on riders.

Our attorneys step in immediately to:

  • Conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your accident, gathering crucial evidence that the insurance company might overlook or ignore.
  • Handle all communication and negotiation with the at-fault party’s insurance company, protecting you from their strategies.
  • Accurately assess the full value of your damages, including current and future medical needs, lost income, pain, and suffering.
  • Aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation on your behalf, leveraging our proven track record and willingness to go to trial.

We know that insurance companies often attempt to use California’s comparative negligence law to reduce your recovery by claiming you were partially at fault. Our lawyers are highly experienced in countering these arguments. We will work tirelessly to minimize any attributed fault and protect your right to full compensation, even if the complex rules of comparative negligence apply to your situation. Don’t let insurers take advantage of you during this challenging time. Let our dedicated Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers fight for the justice and financial recovery you deserve. Our services are provided on a contingency-fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Contact An Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating and stressful for everyone involved, and you can be certain that the negligent party will not provide compensation without a fight. Aitken * Aitken * Cohn has successfully helped many motorcycle accident victims secure the financial recovery they deserve, enabling them to move forward with their lives. We handle complex accident and injury cases and are ready to discuss your potential claim with you. For more information about your legal rights and options, please contact us today or call to consult with a qualified and experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer, free of charge.