Motorcycle riders face disproportionately severe injuries in collisions, and too often, they face bias from insurance adjusters who assume the rider was at fault. Attorney Anand Desai has spent 20+ years fighting for the rights of injured motorcyclists across Los Angeles County, recovering substantial compensation even in complex lane-splitting and multi-vehicle cases. Our firm understands California's unique motorcycle laws and will aggressively protect your right to fair compensation.
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Motorcycle accident cases demand an attorney who understands the unique dynamics of riding, the heightened severity of injuries, and the persistent bias motorcyclists face from insurance companies and juries alike. Attorney Anand Desai brings all of this — plus the courtroom credibility of 50+ jury trials — to every motorcycle case he handles. His experience as a former LA County Public Defender instilled a tenacious, detail-oriented approach to litigation that translates powerfully to personal injury advocacy.
• Deep Local Knowledge — Glendale and the surrounding LA basin present specific hazards for motorcyclists: oil-slicked curves on Angeles Crest Highway, heavy merging traffic at the 134/2 interchange, uneven pavement on surface streets like San Fernando Road, and aggressive commuter traffic on the I-5 through the Glendale Narrows. Attorney Desai understands these local conditions and uses them to build compelling liability arguments that resonate with judges and juries familiar with these roads.
• Multilingual Support — We communicate with clients in 11 languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Thai, Tagalog, Russian, Armenian, Farsi, and Korean. The riding community in greater Los Angeles is as diverse as the city itself, and we ensure every client can discuss their case in the language they prefer.
• 24/7 Availability — Motorcycle accidents frequently result in hospitalization and emergency surgery. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call, begin an investigation, and communicate with insurance companies while you focus on recovery. We can dispatch investigators to the accident scene immediately to preserve tire marks, debris patterns, and other perishable evidence.
• No Win, No Fee — We handle every motorcycle accident case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and if we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. This arrangement ensures that injured riders can access elite legal representation without financial strain.
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California is the only state in the nation where lane splitting — riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic — is explicitly legal. Assembly Bill 51, signed into law in 2016, added Vehicle Code §21658.1, which authorizes the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to develop educational guidelines for safe lane splitting. While AB-51 does not set specific speed limits for lane splitting, the CHP previously recommended that riders not exceed 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic and avoid lane splitting when traffic exceeds 30 mph.
In accident cases involving lane splitting, the critical legal question is whether the motorcyclist was splitting lanes in a safe and prudent manner. Insurance companies frequently argue that any lane-splitting motorcyclist was automatically at fault, but this is legally incorrect. Under California's comparative negligence framework, the fact that a rider was lane splitting does not bar recovery — it simply becomes one factor in determining fault allocation. Attorney Desai has extensive experience defending lane-splitting riders against inflated fault arguments, using expert testimony and CHP guidelines to establish that our clients were operating within accepted safety parameters.
California Vehicle Code §27803 requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a DOT-compliant helmet at all times. This is a universal helmet law — it applies regardless of age, experience, or insurance coverage. Failure to wear a helmet does not bar an injury claim, but it can be used to argue comparative fault, particularly for head injuries. Insurance adjusters routinely try to attribute a larger share of fault to unhelmeted riders, even for injuries unrelated to the head.
Beyond helmets, California requires motorcycles to be equipped with specific safety features under Vehicle Code §27800 et seq.: at least one mirror, a properly functioning headlight (which must be on at all times per VC §25650.5), turn signals on motorcycles manufactured after 1973, and a horn audible from at least 200 feet. Proper lane positioning, protective clothing, and high-visibility gear — while not legally mandated — can also factor into comparative fault analyses. Our firm works with motorcycle safety experts to demonstrate that our clients were operating responsibly and in compliance with California law.
The physics of motorcycle collisions make them inherently more dangerous than car-on-car accidents. Motorcyclists lack the protective shell of an enclosed vehicle — there are no seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones, or structural reinforcement absorbing impact energy. As a result, motorcycle accident injuries tend to be catastrophic: traumatic brain injuries even with helmet use, spinal cord injuries that may result in partial or complete paralysis, multiple fractures of the pelvis, femur, tibia, and clavicle, severe road rash that can penetrate through all skin layers and require skin grafts, internal organ damage, and amputations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists are approximately 29 times more likely to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled than occupants of cars. This elevated injury severity directly impacts the value of motorcycle accident claims. Cases typically involve extensive medical treatment — multiple surgeries, long rehabilitation periods, ongoing pain management, and permanent functional limitations. Attorney Desai works with life care planning experts to project the full cost of future medical needs, ensuring settlements account for the long-term impact of these devastating injuries.
The roads in and around Glendale present specific hazards that are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Gravel, sand, and debris accumulate on shoulders and in curves — especially on canyon roads like Chevy Chase Drive and the Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2), popular routes for recreational riding. Oil and coolant spills at intersections create invisible slick spots that can cause a motorcycle to lose traction without warning.
Poorly maintained road surfaces are another major factor. Potholes, uneven pavement transitions, and degraded lane markings on streets like San Fernando Road and Foothill Boulevard can cause a rider to lose control, particularly at speed. When a road defect contributes to a motorcycle accident, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road may bear liability. Claims against the City of Glendale, City of Los Angeles, LA County, or Caltrans require filing an administrative claim within six months under Government Code §911.2. Railroad crossings, particularly the tracks that cross San Fernando Road near the Glendale Metrolink station, create another dangerous surface irregularity. Our firm documents road conditions thoroughly — with photographs, engineering surveys, and maintenance records — to prove when a hazardous condition caused or contributed to a crash.
One of the most frustrating realities of motorcycle accident claims is the pervasive anti-rider bias that infects the insurance claims process. Many insurance adjusters and jurors harbor assumptions that motorcyclists are reckless thrill-seekers who accept the risk of injury by choosing to ride. This bias manifests in inflated comparative fault assessments, lowball settlement offers, and defense narratives that paint the rider as the architect of their own injuries.
At Anand Desai Law, we combat anti-motorcycle bias at every stage. During investigation, we gather evidence that humanizes our clients — their riding experience, safety training, defensive riding habits, and the practical reasons they ride (commuting, fuel efficiency, environmental concerns). During negotiation, we present meticulously documented cases that make it impossible for adjusters to rely on stereotypes. If the case goes to trial, Attorney Desai uses voir dire (jury selection) techniques honed over 50+ jury trials to identify and exclude potential jurors who hold anti-motorcycle prejudice. We reframe the narrative from "reckless rider" to "vulnerable road user victimized by a negligent driver," which is the truth in the overwhelming majority of motorcycle accidents.
California law entitles motorcycle accident victims to full compensation for all damages caused by another party's negligence. Economic damages include medical expenses (emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, prescription medications, prosthetics, and future medical care), lost wages during recovery, diminished earning capacity if injuries prevent a return to the same occupation, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and costs of household services the victim can no longer perform.
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses: physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of consortium. California imposes no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases, meaning juries can award amounts commensurate with the true impact of the injuries. In cases involving drunk, drugged, or grossly reckless drivers, punitive damages may also be available under Civil Code §3294. Given the severity of motorcycle injuries, these cases often involve substantial six- and seven-figure recoveries. Contact Anand Desai Law at (833) 270-7800 for a free case evaluation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Yes. California is the only state that has expressly legalized lane splitting. Assembly Bill 51, codified as Vehicle Code §21658.1, authorizes the California Highway Patrol to develop guidelines for safe lane splitting. While no specific speed limit is set by law, the CHP previously recommended not exceeding 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic and avoiding lane splitting when traffic exceeds 30 mph. If you were lane splitting at the time of an accident, this does not automatically make you at fault. Under California's comparative negligence rules, fault is apportioned based on all circumstances.
First, seek medical attention — motorcycle injuries are often severe and some symptoms have delayed onset. If able, move to a safe location and call 911. Document the scene with photos: vehicle positions, road conditions, your injuries, helmet damage, and motorcycle damage. Get contact information from witnesses. Do not discuss fault with the other driver or their insurance company. Preserve your helmet, riding gear, and motorcycle in their post-accident condition as physical evidence. Then contact Anand Desai Law at (833) 270-7800. Do not provide any recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before speaking with an attorney.
Yes, you can still file a personal injury claim even if you were not wearing a helmet in violation of Vehicle Code §27803. However, the defense may use your lack of helmet to argue comparative fault, particularly for head and facial injuries. Under California's pure comparative negligence rule (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), your recovery for head injuries could be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the helmet violation, but you are not barred from recovery entirely. For non-head injuries (broken legs, internal injuries, road rash), the lack of a helmet should have no impact on your recovery.
In most left-turn motorcycle accidents, the driver making the left turn is primarily at fault. Under California Vehicle Code §21801, a driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to constitute a hazard. Many drivers fail to see approaching motorcycles due to their smaller visual profile — a phenomenon known as "inattentional blindness." However, the turning driver may argue that the motorcyclist was speeding or running a yellow/red light. Attorney Desai investigates these cases using traffic signal timing data, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction to establish that the turning driver failed to yield.
Motorcycle accident cases tend to produce higher settlements and verdicts than car accident cases due to the severity of injuries involved. The value depends on the extent of your injuries, medical treatment costs, lost income, future medical needs, and pain and suffering. Cases involving traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or amputation routinely reach six and seven figures. California imposes no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases, allowing juries to fully compensate riders for their pain, disability, and diminished quality of life. Contact us at (833) 270-7800 for a free case evaluation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
If a dangerous road condition — such as a pothole, oil spill, uneven pavement, or debris — caused or contributed to your motorcycle accident, the government entity responsible for maintaining that road may be liable. In California, claims against government entities require filing an administrative claim within six months of the accident under Government Code §911.2. This applies to roads maintained by the City of Glendale, City of Los Angeles, LA County, and Caltrans. Evidence preservation is critical: photograph the hazard, note its exact location, and report it to the responsible agency. Our firm obtains road maintenance records and prior complaint histories to prove the agency knew or should have known about the hazard.
While any personal injury attorney can technically handle a motorcycle accident case, the unique aspects of motorcycle law — lane-splitting regulations, helmet law implications, anti-rider bias, and the specific dynamics of motorcycle crashes — benefit significantly from an attorney with motorcycle-specific experience. Accident reconstruction in motorcycle cases requires understanding of counter-steering, braking dynamics, and lean angles that differ fundamentally from car accident analysis. Attorney Desai's deep experience with motorcycle cases throughout LA County means he understands these nuances and can effectively counter the anti-motorcycle bias that insurance companies exploit.
Absolutely. Motorcycle passengers have the same right to pursue a personal injury claim as any other accident victim. As a passenger, you are generally not at fault for the accident (since you were not operating any vehicle), which can simplify the liability analysis. You may have claims against the motorcycle operator, the other vehicle's driver, or both, depending on who was negligent. California law requires motorcycle passengers to have a proper seat and footrests per Vehicle Code §27800. Even if these requirements were not met, it does not bar your claim — it may only factor into a comparative negligence analysis.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline under CCP §338(c). If the accident involved a government entity — for example, a Caltrans-maintained road defect or a city vehicle — you must file an administrative claim within just six months under Government Code §911.2. The statute may be tolled for minors or in cases where the injury was not immediately discovered. Do not wait — crucial evidence like surveillance footage and witness memories deteriorate rapidly. Call (833) 270-7800 as soon as possible.
Despite California's mandatory insurance law (Vehicle Code §16020), an estimated 15% of California drivers are uninsured. If an uninsured driver caused your motorcycle accident, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. California Insurance Code §11580.2 requires all auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and it applies to motorcycle policies as well. You can also file a direct lawsuit against the uninsured driver, though collecting a judgment from an uninsured individual can be challenging. Attorney Desai explores every available source of recovery, including underinsured motorist coverage, to maximize your compensation.
Anand Desai is a dedicated personal injury attorney serving Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Loyola Law School with an undergraduate degree from USC, Anand has been a member of the California State Bar (#249768) since 2007, bringing 20+ years of legal experience to every case he handles.
Anand specializes in personal injury law, with particular expertise in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic injury cases. His deep understanding of California personal injury law, combined with his tenacious negotiation skills, has helped him secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients.
What truly sets Anand apart is his commitment to his community. His firm is one of the only law offices in Glendale that offers services in 11 languages, including Spanish, Armenian, Hindi, Gujarati, Korean, Tagalog, Farsi, Mandarin, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English — reflecting the rich diversity of the communities he serves.
“I fight for every client like they’re family. When you hire me, you’re not just getting a lawyer — you’re getting someone who genuinely cares about your recovery and your future.”
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