How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Motorcycle Injury or Wrongful Death Case
Why Choosing the Right Lawyer Matters So Much
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash — or lost someone you love — you’ve probably already realized something: the system isn’t built for riders.
Insurance companies stereotype you as reckless. Police reports leave out key details. And big law firms treat motorcycle cases like just another car accident.
But your case isn’t just another case.
Your life, your recovery, and your family’s future depend on how your story is told — and who tells it.
That’s why finding the right motorcycle lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. The right lawyer doesn’t just handle paperwork; they protect your rights, uncover the truth, and fight for your dignity every step of the way.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’ve spent years representing injured riders and grieving families throughout California from Sacramento to Fresno, to San Luis Obispo, and beyond. We’ve seen what happens when people hire the wrong kind of lawyer — and we’ve built our entire firm to be the opposite of that.
Here’s what you should know before you make your choice.
1. Start with Experience — But the Right Kind of Experience
Not all “personal injury lawyers” are created equal. Some firms specialize in car fender-benders and slip-and-falls. Others handle volume — not victims.
You want a trial lawyer with real experience in motorcycle injury and wrongful death cases.
Motorcycle cases are different. The physics, the injuries, the insurance tactics, and the bias against riders make them more complex than nearly any other type of accident claim.
Ask questions like:
How many motorcycle cases have you handled?
Have you taken motorcycle cases to trial — and won?
What do you understand about motorcycle dynamics, gear, and visibility?
An attorney who rides (or who’s built a firm specifically for riders) will notice things that non-rider lawyers miss — like how a crash unfolded based on impact angles or why a “low-side” might actually prove the driver’s fault.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we built our entire identity around riders because we’ve lived it. We don’t have to guess what it’s like out there. We know.
2. Look for a Lawyer Who Actually Tries Cases
Many law firms settle everything. They’ll take the first offer, call it a win, and move on to the next case.
Insurance companies know exactly who those firms are. They offer them less — because they can.
A true trial lawyer prepares every case like it’s going in front of a jury. That approach forces insurance adjusters to take you seriously and often leads to stronger settlements without ever stepping foot in court.
Ask any lawyer you’re considering:
When was the last time you tried a case in front of a jury?
Are you comfortable going to trial if that’s what it takes?
Will you handle my case personally, or hand it off to someone else?
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, when we say we’ll fight, we mean it. We’ve taken on major corporations and national insurance carriers — and we’ve won.
3. Find Someone Who Understands Both Law and Life
Technical skill matters. But so does empathy.
You’re not just hiring a lawyer; you’re hiring someone who will walk with you through some of the hardest months — or years — of your life. You want someone who sees you as a person, not a paycheck.
The best lawyers balance strategy and compassion. They explain things clearly, return your calls, and treat you with respect. They also protect your peace — shielding you from harassment by insurance adjusters and endless red tape.
Ask yourself:
Do I feel heard when I talk to this lawyer?
Are they rushing me, or taking time to understand my story?
Do they explain the process in plain English?
A lawyer who listens well usually fights well. The same empathy that helps them connect with you helps them connect with juries.
4. Choose a Firm That Knows the Roads — and the Rules
Riding in California means navigating everything from crowded freeways to twisty mountain roads and coastal fog. The right lawyer understands how local roads, traffic patterns, and visibility affect liability.
When a crash happens on Cuesta Grade, Highway 1, or Highway 99, you want a firm that already knows how those roads work — where the blind curves are, how wind or lane design might have played a role, and how local law enforcement handles motorcycle reports.
We call ourselves California’s Motorcycle Law Firm because we live here, ride here, and know the courts, the CHP, and the local roads from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. That insight helps us build stronger cases and tell more credible stories.
5. Verify That You’ll Actually Work With the Lawyer You Hire
Here’s a secret most firms don’t advertise: the person you meet at intake might never touch your case again.
At big billboard firms, cases get handed off to junior associates or even paralegals who handle dozens of clients at once. You deserve better than that.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, you work directly with attorney John McCarthy — not a case manager. You can call, text, or email anytime. If we take your case, we’re in it together.
When interviewing other lawyers, ask directly:
Who will handle my case day-to-day?
How often will I hear from you?
Will I get your cell number?
If the answer feels vague, that’s a red flag.
6. Check the Firm’s Reputation — Not Just Its Advertising
A flashy website doesn’t prove results. What matters is reputation — among past clients, judges, and other lawyers.
Look for:
Reviews that mention communication, empathy, and outcomes
Testimonials from other riders or families
Peer recognition or trial awards
Ask around in the riding community. Word travels fast about which lawyers genuinely support riders and which ones just chase cases.
McCarthy Motorcycle Law has built its reputation not through ads, but through word of mouth — riders helping riders find justice.
7. Make Sure the Firm Has Resources to Go the Distance
Motorcycle injury and wrongful death cases can require expensive expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, medical testimony, and life-care planning.
The right firm has the financial strength and technology to take on big defendants — trucking companies, municipalities, or insurance carriers — without backing down.
At our firm, we use technology to keep up with much larger defense firms. From 3D crash modeling to secure case portals, we leverage every tool available to make sure you’re never outgunned.
8. Look for Transparency About Fees
A trustworthy motorcycle lawyer works on a contingency fee — meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing unless they win.
But transparency matters. Before signing anything, make sure you understand:
The percentage the lawyer takes if you win
How case costs (experts, filing fees, etc.) are handled
Whether that percentage changes if the case goes to trial
If the lawyer won’t clearly explain fees or seems evasive, move on. You deserve honesty from day one.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, our fee agreements are simple and fair. We handle all costs upfront, and we only get paid when you do.
9. Ask How the Lawyer Communicates
Legal cases can drag on for months or years. You’ll want regular updates — not radio silence.
Ask potential lawyers:
How often will you update me?
Will I get direct access to you or your assistant?
Do you use email, phone, or text for quick updates?
We know communication can make or break trust. That’s why our clients get direct, ongoing contact with their lawyer. When you need an update, you get one — period.
10. Find a Lawyer Who Understands What You’ve Lost
Injuries from motorcycle crashes aren’t just physical. They steal independence, confidence, and sometimes identity. When a rider dies, families lose not just a loved one but the person who made their world work.
A good lawyer understands those losses go beyond numbers. They make sure the settlement or verdict reflects the full picture — not just medical bills or funeral costs.
We’ve represented riders who couldn’t return to work, families who lost breadwinners, and parents who lost their only child. We’ve seen every side of what a crash takes — and we take that responsibility personally.
11. Don’t Settle for a “Factory” Law Firm
You’ve probably seen the billboards: giant smiling lawyers promising “big checks fast.” The truth? Fast checks are almost always small checks.
Big firms often push volume over value. Their goal is to settle quickly and move on to the next case. That might work for fender-benders — but not for motorcycle injury or wrongful death cases where the stakes are everything.
When you hire a smaller, focused firm like ours, you’re hiring precision, not production. We don’t take on many cases because we want to make sure every case gets the attention it deserves. Every story gets told the right way.
12. Trust Your Gut
Credentials, results, and reviews all matter — but so does your instinct. You’ll be sharing personal details, medical information, and the hardest parts of your story with this person.
If something feels off, keep looking. If you feel comfortable, respected, and understood — you’ve probably found the right fit.
13. Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Here’s a checklist you can take into any consultation:
How many motorcycle cases have you handled?
Have you taken any to trial?
Who will personally handle my case?
How often will you update me?
How do your fees work?
What kind of results have you achieved for riders or families?
What do you think will be the biggest challenge in my case?
How long do cases like mine usually take?
Can I speak directly with you if I hire your firm?
Why do you do this kind of work?
The last question often reveals the most. You want a lawyer who fights for riders because they believe in it — not because it’s profitable.
Why Riders and Families Choose McCarthy Motorcycle Law
We’ve built our reputation one rider, one family, and one case at a time.
Built by riders, for riders. We know the roads, the risks, and the realities of California riding.
No hand-offs. You work directly with attorney John McCarthy.
Technology-driven. We keep pace with much larger defense firms.
Locally grown, nationally known. Born and raised on California’s Central Coast, educated in the Capital City, and married to a woman from outside Fresno, serving riders throughout California and beyond.
Compassion and results. Millions recovered for injured riders and families.
When you hire McCarthy Motorcycle Law, you’re not hiring just a lawyer — you’re hiring a team that genuinely cares about riders, fights for fairness, and treats you like family.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Too Long
After a crash, evidence disappears fast. Witnesses move. Surveillance footage gets erased. The sooner you have a lawyer protecting your rights, the better.
If you’ve been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, reach out today for a free, confidential case evaluation. It goes straight to our inbox — not a call center.
We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and tell you honestly whether we can help. If we can’t, we’ll point you toward some folks who hopefully can.
Because when riders get hurt, they deserve truth, justice, and respect — not red tape.
And that’s what we’re here to deliver.