Motorcycle Accident Cerritos

Riding a motorcycle in Cerritos offers convenience and efficiency, particularly when navigating the heavy traffic associated with the Cerritos Towne Center or the Auto Square. However, the lack of physical protection for riders means that collisions often result in severe injuries. The dense traffic patterns prevalent throughout Los Angeles County further amplify these risks. When a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, navigating the subsequent legal process requires a detailed understanding of California traffic laws, liability statutes, and insurance protocols.

At Benji Personal Injury Accident Attorneys, we assist riders in establishing liability and calculating the full extent of their damages. This page provides essential legal information for victims of motorcycle accidents in Cerritos.

High-Risk Corridors in Cerritos

Local traffic data and accident reports indicate specific areas in Cerritos where motorcycle collisions occur with greater frequency. These incidents often involve high speeds on freeways or right-of-way violations on surface streets.

Freeway Connectors

State Route 91 (SR-91) serves as a major artery for the city. The stretch near the I-605 connector and Pioneer Boulevard is particularly hazardous. High-speed collisions here frequently involve the HOV lanes, where sudden lane changes by passenger vehicles can cut off motorcyclists.

Dangerous Intersections

Surface street collisions often occur due to signal violations or failures to yield. Two intersections in Cerritos are noted for specific risks:

• Artesia Boulevard and Marquardt Avenue: This intersection sees a higher rate of broadside (T-bone) collisions. These often happen when drivers violate traffic signals or fail to grant the right-of-way to oncoming riders.
• Carmenita Road and Alondra Boulevard: Located near the city border, this area has been the site of serious crashes, including fatalities, often linked to red-light violations.

California Motorcycle Laws Impacting Liability

Determining who is at fault in a motorcycle accident relies heavily on the California Vehicle Code (CVC). Insurance adjusters and courts examine statutory violations to assign negligence.

Lane Splitting (CVC 21658.1)

California is unique as the only state where lane splitting—riding between rows of stopped or moving vehicles—is explicitly legal under CVC 21658.1. However, the legality of the maneuver does not grant a rider immunity from fault. The law requires that lane splitting be done in a "safe and prudent manner."

Disputes often arise regarding what constitutes safe behavior. Courts often look to California Highway Patrol (CHP) guidelines, which suggest that riders should not exceed the speed of surrounding traffic by more than 10 mph and should generally not exceed 30 mph while lane splitting. Furthermore, riders are advised to consider the overall environment, roadway conditions, and avoid splitting lanes next to large vehicles. It is also unlawful for a motorist to intentionally block or impede a motorcyclist who is lane splitting. If a rider splits lanes at excessive speeds or in an unsafe manner, the defense may argue that the rider was negligent, potentially reducing the compensation available under California's comparative negligence laws.

Helmet Requirements (CVC 27803)

California law mandates that all riders and passengers wear a safety helmet that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The law further specifies that "wearing a safety helmet" means having it properly fastened with the chin straps and that it fits securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement. In a personal injury claim, the failure to wear a compliant helmet can be used by the defense to limit damages. If the defense can prove that the lack of a proper helmet contributed to the severity of a head injury, they may successfully argue for a reduction in the financial award allocated for that specific injury.

Pure Comparative Negligence

California operates under the doctrine of Pure Comparative Negligence, a legal standard established in the landmark case Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). This doctrine allows an injured party to recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident.

Under this system, the court assigns a percentage of fault to every party involved. The plaintiff's total compensation is then reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards $100,000 in damages but finds the motorcyclist was 20% at fault for speeding, the motorcyclist would receive $80,000. This is true even if the plaintiff's fault exceeds 50%.

This rule is critical in motorcycle cases where bias against riders often leads to allegations of shared fault. A thorough investigation is necessary to ensure fault percentages are assessed accurately based on evidence rather than assumptions.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Establishing negligence involves identifying the specific action that led to the collision. In Cerritos and throughout Los Angeles County, common causes include:

• Left-Turn Accidents: Drivers making left turns at intersections frequently fail to judge the speed of an approaching motorcycle or fail to see the rider entirely. These are a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles, accounting for a significant percentage of fatal crashes.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: Drivers on congested roads like Artesia Boulevard may change lanes without checking blind spots, colliding with a rider occupying that space.
• Speeding: Excessive speed by either the motorist or the rider increases stopping distances and the severity of impact. Speeding contributes to a substantial portion of motorcycle crashes in the LA area.
• Distracted Driving: Heavy traffic around retail centers increases the likelihood of drivers using phones or navigating dashboard systems instead of watching the road, leading to a high percentage of urban motorcycle accidents.
• Road Hazards: Potholes, cracks, uneven pavement, oil slicks, loose gravel, or debris on the road pose a significant and disproportionate danger to motorcyclists, often causing a rider to lose control.

Recoverable Damages in Personal Injury Claims

Victims of motorcycle accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation. These are generally categorized into economic and non-economic damages. The following table outlines common types of recoverable losses.

The Role of Evidence in Liability Disputes

Successful claims rely on comprehensive evidence to prove the other party’s negligence. At Benji Personal Injury Accident Attorneys, we gather specific types of evidence to build a case:

• Police Reports: The official Traffic Collision Report, often prepared by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Cerritos, provides the responding officer's initial determination of fault and diagrams of the scene.
• Witness Statements: Accounts from independent witnesses can corroborate a rider's version of events.
• Surveillance Footage: Cameras from nearby businesses in commercial districts like the Cerritos Auto Square often capture collisions.
• Event Data Recorders: Modern vehicles contain "black boxes" that record speed and braking data immediately before a crash.
• Medical Records: Detailed documentation connects specific injuries directly to the accident mechanism.
• Photographs and Videos: Visual evidence from the scene, vehicles, and injuries can be crucial.

Contact Benji Personal Injury Accident Attorneys

Motorcycle accidents result in complex insurance claims and legal challenges. Securing legal counsel ensures that evidence is preserved and that liability is apportioned correctly under California law. If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Cerritos, contact Benji Personal Injury Accident Attorneys to discuss your legal options.