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Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Do You Need a Proven Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Unfavorable misconceptions about motorcycles and motorcycle riders are common. But as the data shows, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer serious injury in a collision than occupants of a larger vehicle due to the lack of protection that a motorcycle offers. Oftentimes, these collisions are fatal or result in catastrophic injury to the motorcycle riders.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident, do not wait to get the help you need. The experienced Santa Barbara motorcycle accident lawyers at NordstrandBlack PC know how to deal with insurance companies and fight to make sure negligent parties are held responsible for their actions and you are compensated for your injuries. Call us today at (805) 962-2022 and tell us about your situation so we can discuss your next move.

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Why Choose Us Over Other Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Santa Barbara?

  • Avvo Rated 10.0 Superb
  • Rated "Premium" by Lawyer.com
  • Awarded AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards based on a peer review rating process
  • Renée Nordstrand-Black has won the Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award
  • Decades of combined experience handling motorcycle and other serious motor vehicle accident claims
  • Extensive background with traumatic injury claims, including brain and neurologic injuries
  • Trusted by the Santa Barbara community for compassionate and tenacious representation
  • We offer free consultations
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Do You Have a Case for a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash and someone else may have been at fault, you likely have grounds to file a claim. California is a comparative fault state, which means you can still pursue compensation even if you were partially at fault.

You may have a case if:

  • Another driver violated traffic laws (e.g., ran a red light, made an illegal left turn, failed to yield).
  • A vehicle defect or part failure contributed to the crash.
  • A dangerous road condition (pothole, poorly marked construction zone) played a role.
  • A commercial vehicle or delivery truck was involved, and the company may bear liability.
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Motorcycle Accident Case Results

  • $1,200,000 Settlement - Motorcycle Accident - Required Multiple Surgeries
  • $500,000 Settlement - Motorcycle Accident (Policy Limit)
  • $90,000 Settlement - Motorcycle Accident - Knee Injury

∗ Selected cases listed. Every case is different. Past case results are not a guarantee, and similar results may not be obtained in your case. View more case results here.

What Damages Can You Get for a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

motorcycle in the road after a crash

Motorcycle accident victims, including operators and motorcycle passengers, often suffer severe and long-lasting injuries. The settlement or judgment you receive can help cover a wide range of losses, including:

  • Emergency medical treatment and hospital stays
  • Ongoing care and physical therapy
  • Loss of income and reduced future earning potential
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
  • Damage to your motorcycle and gear
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

While medical expenses are often the most immediate concern, they represent only a portion of what you're entitled to. Our team builds comprehensive claims that reflect the true extent of your injuries and how they affect your daily life.

In the most tragic cases, surviving family members may also file a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other associated losses.

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Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Bikers are often thrown from their motorcycles and require extensive medical care and treatment after a collision with another vehicle. A few injuries that are specific to motorcycle accidents include:

  • Road rash: Skin scraped off by contact with the pavement, typically occurring as a motorcyclist slides along the ground after falling from a motorcycle. While road rash is usually not severe, it can lead to infection and should be treated by a medical professional.
  • Biker's arm: When a motorcyclist is thrown from a motorcycle or is about to collide with an object, the biker has a natural reflex to try to absorb the impact with the arms. This causes tremendous stress to the arms, wrists, and shoulders, and commonly results in fractures and muscle and nerve damage.
  • Leg injuries: Fractures, muscle and nerve damage to the legs commonly occur upon impact, when the biker’s legs are crushed against another vehicle or object, or after a biker is thrown from the bike and lands on his/her legs.
  • Limb loss: Motorcycle collisions result in broken glass, metal, and other materials, all of which can cause serious damage to a motorcyclist. The damage may be so severe that medical amputation is required after a collision. The psychological and physical trauma of such a loss, as well as expenses incurred due to the trauma, can be extensive and have lifelong effects on the victim.

Broken bones, head and brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries are also possible. Treatment and recovery after a motorcycle accident depend on the nature of the injuries. Minor road rash and broken bones may require short-term care, but serious injuries result in weeks or months of medical care and physical rehabilitation. The worst injuries can require expensive lifelong treatment and therapy.

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What If I Was Lane-Splitting?

Lane-splitting, sometimes called lane sharing or filtering, may be a topic of debate in the rest of the United States, but it is legal in California. Lane-splitting refers to a motorcyclist moving his/her bike forward through traffic that has slowed down or stopped, moving between vehicles inside the lane or between lanes. Experts agree that lane-splitting should be done carefully and at reasonable speeds. One study showed that lane-splitting should only be done in traffic that is moving at 50 mph or less, when the biker can see what other drivers are doing, and that the biker should never go more than 15 mph above other vehicles in order to pass them.

Since lane-splitting is legal in California, a driver cannot point to a motorcyclist who engaged in this behavior and claim lane-splitting made him responsible for the accident. However, though bikers are allowed to pass other vehicles between lanes, they must drive safely while they do so.

Fault in an accident in which a motorcyclist was lane-splitting will come down to who was negligent, and since lane-splitting is permissible, it will likely be the driver who did not check his mirrors before moving over.

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What If My Motorcycle Itself Caused the Crash?

A defect in your bike could have created the loss of control, making you collide with another object or causing you to have to lay your bike down to avoid one. This can be more difficult to prove if the manufacturer of your motorcycle did not issue a recall, but with the help of a legal professional, it can be done. It could be that just one part of the motorcycle failed, and that a part’s manufacturer is to blame.

Modifications may be another story. If your bike’s modifications aren’t street-legal, it may count against you in a claim if the opposing insurance company can argue the modifications contributed to the crash. However, if you went to a mechanic or shop to get legal modifications for your motorcycle, and they did not do the job properly or failed to replace vital parts before giving it back to you, they may be held liable. The same is true if you went to get a needed repair and it did not hold, leading to a collision or single-vehicle accident.

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Do I Really Need a Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Yes, after a serious motorcycle accident in Santa Barbara, you need a lawyer to represent you and make sure your rights are protected. Filing insurance claims, civil actions, and other paperwork is intentionally complicated to keep people from seeking money from the responsible parties. You should not try to handle things on your own. Having a knowledgeable, experienced Santa Barbara motorcycle accident attorney at your side to argue your case is vital to obtaining just compensation for your expenses and injuries after an accident.

Even the most cautious, law-abiding rider may be unable to avoid the more common hazards motorcyclists face, such as the opening of an adjacent car door, a careless driver, an animal, or a dangerous road condition.

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Contact NordstrandBlack PC for Help Today

At NordstrandBlack PC, we are committed to helping motorcycle accident victims in Santa Barbara receive the compensation they deserve. With a track record of success in serious personal injury cases and recognition from the legal community, we provide knowledgeable, results-driven advocacy.

Call us at (805) 962-2022 to schedule your free consultation today.

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Is There a Time Limit to File a Claim?

Do not wait to learn about your legal options from our skilled Santa Barbara injury lawyers. Delay may be detrimental to your case. The sooner you get in touch with an attorney, the better your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. In California, there are deadlines known as statutes of limitations that set forth the time limits after an accident, within which you must file a claim against a responsible party. If the at-fault party was a government entity, that time is even shorter. Don’t miss your chance to hold negligent parties legally responsible so that you can move on with your life.

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Other Cities We Serve

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Frequently Asked Motorcycle Accident Questions

What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?

Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Document the scene, collect contact information from witnesses, and avoid speaking to insurance adjusters before talking to a lawyer.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?

Generally, you have two years. If a government entity is involved (e.g., road maintenance issues), you must file a notice of claim within six months.

Do I need a police report to file a claim?

A police report can strengthen your claim, but it is not required. Your attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and gather alternative evidence.

How long does it take to settle a motorcycle accident claim in California?

It depends on the case. Some claims resolve in a few months; others, particularly those involving severe injuries, may take over a year.

What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

You may still be able to recover compensation through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

What if I was partly at fault for the crash?

California's comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation will be reduced accordingly.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases in Santa Barbara settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it's going to trial to secure the best possible result.

How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident attorney?

At NordstrandBlack PC, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.

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Call the Santa Barbara Motorcycle Injury Attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC Today

While your insurance company may seem to be trying to help you, at the end of the day, it is in business to make a profit. After any accident, you should not sign anything your insurance company presents to you without having a lawyer read it first. You can easily sign away your rights to future compensation without realizing it. If there was more than one vehicle involved in the collision, it is even more important that you have a lawyer represent you in dealing with all of the insurance companies, including your own, which may try to shift the fault to you.

After a Santa Barbara motorcycle accident, the bills and phone calls may seem overwhelming. Call NordstrandBlack PC at (805) 962-2022 to discuss your case, and let us take some of the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on getting well.

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Additional Information