Intersection Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in California

Most Motorcycle Crashes Happen at Intersections. We Make Sure They Don’t Get Ignored.

If you’re reading this, something went wrong at an intersection.

Maybe a car turned left in front of you. Maybe someone ran a red light, or rolled through a stop sign, or just didn’t see your bike at all. Maybe it wasn’t your crash—but someone you love was killed, and now you’re looking for answers.

Whatever brought you here, we’re sorry. And we’re here to help.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’ve seen how devastating intersection crashes can be—because they’re usually violent, sudden, and completely preventable. We’ve built this firm to stand up for riders who’ve been hurt or lost someone because a driver wasn’t paying attention.

We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm. And we don’t just know how to ride. We know how to win.

Intersections Are the Most Dangerous Place for Motorcyclists

It’s a fact: the majority of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve intersections. And in most of those cases, the driver of the car is at fault—often for failing to yield the right of way.

California’s roads are filled with intersection hazards:

These crashes aren’t “accidents.” They’re avoidable tragedies, caused by people who didn’t treat you like a human being on the road.

We’re here to change that.

Why Drivers Cause Motorcycle Crashes at Intersections

Intersections require attention, awareness, and timing—all things that go out the window when someone’s distracted, aggressive, or careless. Over the years, we’ve represented riders injured or killed in intersection crashes caused by:

  • Drivers turning left into the rider’s path

  • Drivers failing to yield when making a U-turn

  • Drivers accelerating into a turn before checking for motorcycles

  • Drivers texting or looking at GPS while pulling into cross traffic

  • Drivers rolling through stop signs or running red lights

  • Drivers simply not seeing the rider—or pretending they didn’t

The number one excuse we hear after these crashes?
“I didn’t see them.”

Let’s be clear: that’s not a defense. That’s a confession.

If a driver failed to see a motorcycle that had the right of way, that’s negligence. And if their negligence caused a crash, injury, or death—then we will hold them accountable.

Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents: The Most Common—and Deadly—Intersection Crash

We’ve seen it happen hundreds of times. A rider is heading straight through a green light. A car coming the other way turns left—directly into the rider’s path. There’s no time to stop. No room to swerve. The impact is violent, direct, and devastating.

These left-turn crashes are the most common type of intersection motorcycle accident—and often the deadliest.

And here’s what the insurance companies will try to say:

  • “You must have been speeding.”

  • “You should have anticipated the turn.”

  • “The driver didn’t see you because your bike is small.”

Nope. Not acceptable. If you had the right of way, and they turned into your path, they’re at fault. Full stop.

We know how to prove it. We work with accident reconstruction experts, pull intersection footage, use crash geometry, and fight back hard when adjusters try to twist the facts.

Because the truth matters—and so do you.

What You Can Recover After an Intersection Motorcycle Crash

Intersection crashes often leave riders with life-changing injuries. We’ve helped people recover from:

These aren’t “whiplash” claims. They’re cases that can affect your entire life—your ability to work, ride, be there for your family, or even walk again. And you deserve to be fully compensated for every single loss.

In California, a personal injury claim can include:

  • Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization

  • Long-term rehab, surgeries, and follow-up care

  • Lost wages and loss of future income

  • Pain and suffering

  • Mental and emotional distress

  • Property damage to your motorcycle and gear

And if you lost someone in an intersection motorcycle crash, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim for:

  • Funeral and burial costs

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of companionship, guidance, and love

  • Grief and suffering

These cases aren’t about revenge. They’re about responsibility. They’re about making sure what happened to you—or your loved one—doesn’t get swept under the rug.

You Still Have a Case—Even if You Were Partially at Fault

Maybe you think you were speeding a little. Maybe you’re not sure if you came to a full stop. Don’t assume you don’t have a case.

California follows comparative negligence rules. That means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages. Your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault—but it won’t be wiped out unless you were 100% to blame.

Insurance companies love to point the finger at riders. We know how to push back and make sure blame doesn’t get unfairly shifted to you.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident at an Intersection

If you were hit at an intersection, your first priority is your health. But if you're able to act—or someone with you can—here are steps to protect your case:

  1. Call 911 – Always report the crash and get medical help.

  2. Take photos and video – The intersection layout, signal lights, damage, injuries, skid marks—document it all.

  3. Get witness information – People nearby may have seen who had the green light, or who turned.

  4. Request traffic cam or business footage – Many intersections have cameras or nearby businesses that do.

  5. Get medical attention – Even if you think you’re okay. Injuries can surface hours or days later.

  6. Don’t talk to the other side’s insurance company – They are not on your side.

  7. Contact a motorcycle injury lawyer – The sooner you do, the more we can preserve.

Why Riders Choose McCarthy Motorcycle Law

We built this firm for riders. Period.

We’re not a billboard firm trying to rack up volume. We’re not scared of trial. And we don’t treat motorcyclists like second-class victims.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • We get motorcycle crashes. We know how riders think, how bikes maneuver, and how to explain all of that to a jury.

  • We’ve stood where you’re standing. We’ve lost people in motorcycle crashes. This isn’t just legal—it’s personal.

  • We’re built for the underdog. We fight for those who get blamed, ignored, or underestimated.

  • We don’t take every case. If we say yes, we’re in. We’ll take it to the mat.

  • We offer free case evaluations. No pressure. No BS. Just a conversation to see how we can help.

What If the Police Report Blames You?

Intersection crashes can be chaotic. And sometimes, police get it wrong. Especially when the rider is unconscious, or worse. The driver may lie, or the report may be based on incomplete information.

Don’t give up just because the report doesn’t go your way.

We’ve overturned bad reports before by:

  • Using dashcam or traffic cam footage

  • Hiring accident reconstructionists

  • Interviewing witnesses police ignored

  • Showing the damage pattern didn’t match the story

We don’t back down just because someone else decided what happened. We do our own digging—and we fight for the truth.

If You Lost Someone in an Intersection Crash, We’re With You

We’ve represented families grieving riders killed at intersections by careless drivers. It’s a pain no one should have to carry—and sadly, it’s one we understand personally.

A wrongful death lawsuit can’t undo what happened. But it can get you answers. It can hold the person accountable. And it can provide some financial relief in the middle of your grief.

We handle these cases with compassion and discretion. No pressure. No chasing headlines. Just the legal support you need—when you’re ready for it.

Talk to a California Intersection Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured—or if someone you love was killed—in an intersection motorcycle crash, don’t wait.

Insurance companies move fast. Evidence disappears. And the longer you go without a lawyer, the harder it gets to hold the right people responsible.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we don’t let them sweep your story under the rug.

We stand up. We fight back. We get results.

👉 Submit Your Free Case Evaluation
We usually respond the same business day. If we can help, we’ll set up a time to talk. If we can’t, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Either way, you’ll get real answers—and a team that treats you like a human being, not a claim number.