Highway Motorcycle Accidents

Fighting for Riders Hurt or Killed on California’s Deadliest Roads

If you’re reading this, chances are something went wrong on the highway. Maybe you were riding through traffic on I-5, heading home on 101, or cruising through the Inland Empire on the 15—and out of nowhere, another driver made a mistake that changed your life. Maybe you saw it coming. Maybe you didn’t. Maybe someone you love didn’t survive.

However you got here, we’re sorry. And we’re here to help.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we know how violent highway crashes can be. We’ve seen what’s left behind when a car swerves without looking or a driver going 85 mph takes their eyes off the road for two seconds. And we’ve seen how riders and their families are often blamed, ignored, or flat-out dismissed by insurance companies after a wreck.

That’s why we built California’s Motorcycle Law Firm. For riders. For families. For justice.

California Highways Are Built for Speed. That’s What Makes Them So Dangerous.

There’s nothing quite like riding on California’s highways. Wide-open stretches of pavement. Ocean views. Mountain climbs. Desert straights. But highways also come with a thin margin for error—and when things go wrong, they go wrong fast.

Highway motorcycle crashes are almost always violent. The speed, size of the vehicles, and lack of reaction time create a perfect storm. And when someone makes a careless move—merging into your lane, cutting you off, or slamming on the brakes—it’s the rider who usually pays the price.

We’ve helped riders injured and killed on:

We know these roads. We know how fast they move. And we know how to prove fault when a crash turns deadly.

Why Do So Many Highway Motorcycle Crashes Happen?

Let’s be honest: California drivers are distracted, aggressive, and often completely unaware of motorcycles. On the highway, where speeds are high and mistakes are magnified, that combination is lethal.

We’ve handled highway motorcycle crash cases caused by:

These crashes aren’t “accidents.” They’re preventable, predictable, and often deadly. And if someone else’s carelessness left you injured—or grieving—we’ll fight to make sure they’re held accountable.

What If the Police Report Blames You?

It happens all the time. A crash happens fast. The rider is unconscious or taken away by ambulance. The other driver tells their version of events—and suddenly you’re the one getting blamed.

We don’t accept that. At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we dig deeper. We’ve challenged bad reports, tracked down witnesses, pulled traffic cam footage, subpoenaed phone records, and worked with accident reconstruction experts to prove what really happened.

Don’t assume you’re out of options just because the report isn’t on your side. We’ve been able to turn those cases around—and win.

Highway Motorcycle Crash Injuries Are Almost Always Serious

When a crash happens on a highway, the human body isn’t built to absorb that kind of force. Even with full gear and a DOT-compliant helmet, the injuries can be catastrophic.

We’ve represented riders with:

Some riders never fully recover. Others spend months—sometimes years—working just to walk again, drive again, or ride again. If that’s your reality, we want to help you rebuild.

What If You Lost Someone You Love in a Highway Motorcycle Crash?

First and foremost, we’re so sorry.

We know what that kind of loss feels like. We’ve stood with families after fatal crashes on California highways—spouses, parents, siblings, adult children. We’ve helped people who were still in shock, still figuring out what to do next, still trying to process how fast it all happened.

A wrongful death claim can’t bring your loved one back. But it can give you answers. It can give you a path forward. And it can hold the person who caused the crash responsible.

We’ll handle everything—the investigation, the evidence, the paperwork—so you can focus on healing. And we’ll make sure your loved one’s story is told with dignity, respect, and strength.

What You Can Recover After a Highway Motorcycle Accident in California

If you were injured, or if your family lost someone in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation under California law. That includes:

For Injury Victims:

  • Emergency medical bills

  • Ongoing treatment, surgery, or rehab

  • Lost income and reduced earning ability

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress, PTSD, or anxiety

  • Damage to your bike and gear

  • Loss of enjoyment of life—especially if you can’t ride again

For Families in Wrongful Death Cases:

  • Funeral and burial costs

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of love, companionship, and guidance

  • Medical bills before your loved one passed

  • Pain and suffering through a survival action

We build every case from the ground up—using medical records, financial data, and expert analysis to make sure your story is told and every dollar is accounted for.

What If You Were Lane Splitting? Or Not Wearing a Helmet?

Here’s what you need to know:

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is legal in California. But insurance companies often try to use it against you. We know how to explain lane splitting to a jury. We know what the law says. And we know how to show you were riding safely—even if the other driver didn’t like it.

Helmet Use

California law requires DOT-approved helmets. If you weren’t wearing one, the insurance company might try to reduce your compensation. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. We’ll look at whether your injuries were actually caused by not wearing a helmet—and we’ve won cases even when clients weren’t wearing one.

Comparative Negligence

California allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault. If they say you were speeding, swerving, or lane splitting unsafely, we’ll fight back and work to minimize any blame they try to put on you.

How We Build Your Case

We don’t just send letters and wait for a response. We go to work—fast.

Here’s how we build strong highway crash cases:

  • Pull traffic camera, dashcam, and surveillance footage

  • Interview witnesses before memories fade

  • Hire experts to reconstruct the crash

  • Subpoena cell phone data if we suspect distraction

  • Analyze vehicle damage to show direction and force

  • Work with your doctors to document injuries, treatment, and prognosis

  • Gather records of lost income, out-of-pocket costs, and future care needs

And if the other side doesn’t offer a fair settlement? We’re ready for trial.

Why Riders Choose McCarthy Motorcycle Law

We don’t advertise for car accidents and take a few motorcycle cases on the side. We built this firm for riders—and only riders.

  • We know bikes. We understand riding. And we know how to explain it to a jury.

  • You work directly with a lawyer—no call centers, no junior associates.

  • We’ve recovered millions for injured riders and grieving families.

  • We offer fast, free case evaluations—and respond quickly.

  • We don’t charge anything unless we win.

This isn’t just work for us. It’s personal.

Free ConsultationS — No Upfront Fees

You’ve already got enough to deal with. Medical bills. Missed work. Stress. Grief. The last thing you need is another financial burden.

That’s why we offer:

✅ Free case evaluations
✅ No fees unless we win
✅ Direct access to your attorney

👉 Submit Your Case Evaluation
It’s fast, confidential, and goes straight to our inbox. We usually respond the same day.

You didn’t ask for this. But you don’t have to go through it alone.

We’ve got your back.