California Motorcycle Wrongful Death Lawyer
Built by Riders, for Riders — Standing with Families Who’ve Lost Everything
There’s no way to sugarcoat it — losing someone in a motorcycle crash changes everything. The phone call. The disbelief. The silence that follows. Life splits into before and after.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we understand that pain in a way few firms can. We’re not just lawyers — we’re riders. We know what it feels like to have a loved one go out for a ride and never come home. And we know that when another driver’s negligence causes that kind of loss, families deserve more than sympathy. They deserve answers. They deserve accountability. They deserve justice.
That’s what we fight for every single day.
We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm — built by riders, for riders — and we stand with families who’ve lost everything to someone else’s carelessness.
What Makes Motorcycle Wrongful Death Cases Different
Motorcycle fatalities aren’t just car accidents without seatbelts. They’re complex, high-stakes cases where bias against riders often plays a role.
Insurance companies and defense lawyers love to paint motorcyclists as reckless, assuming they “must’ve been speeding” or “came out of nowhere.” But we know the truth — most fatal motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers who don’t look, don’t yield, or don’t care.
That bias means you need a lawyer who not only understands California’s wrongful death laws but also knows motorcycles — how they handle, how they stop, how visibility and road design affect riders.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we combine decades of trial experience with a deep understanding of how motorcycles really work. We rebuild what happened. We work with accident reconstruction experts, eyewitnesses, and sometimes even the bike itself to show the truth — that your loved one didn’t cause this tragedy. Someone else did.
Common Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in California
Every fatal crash tells a story. Here in California, many of those stories share the same villains:
Distracted drivers — texting, eating, adjusting GPS, or worse
We’ve seen it all — from deadly collisions on Highway 1 near Big Sur, to high-speed crashes on 101 through Salinas, to careless left turns in Santa Cruz neighborhoods.
These cases aren’t statistics. They’re sons, daughters, parents, and partners whose lives were cut short — and families who deserve justice.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Motorcycle Crash?
In California, certain family members have the right to file a wrongful death claim when a loved one’s life is taken by someone else’s negligence.
Those typically include:
A surviving spouse or domestic partner
Children or stepchildren
Parents (in some cases)
Other dependents financially supported by the rider
If no direct family members are available, other relatives may still qualify under California law.
We walk every client through the process — clearly, compassionately, and without legal jargon. Because when you’ve just lost someone, you shouldn’t have to figure out who’s “eligible” or fight over paperwork. You should be focused on healing.
Proving Fault in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Case
Winning a motorcycle wrongful death case means proving that someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s death.
That might sound simple — but insurance companies rarely admit fault, especially in motorcycle cases.
Our job is to prove what really happened. We dig deep into the evidence:
Police reports and dashcam footage
Cell phone data and black box downloads
Eyewitness statements
Expert reconstruction of the crash
Vehicle maintenance records and design flaws
We don’t stop until we’ve built the full story — the truth that shows your loved one rode responsibly, and someone else’s choices took their life.
What You Can Recover in a Motorcycle Wrongful Death Claim
No amount of money replaces a life. But a wrongful death claim can bring financial stability and accountability in the aftermath of tragedy.
Families can recover for:
Funeral and burial expenses
Lost financial support and household income
The value of services your loved one provided
Loss of companionship, guidance, and love
Emotional pain and suffering
In some cases — especially where drunk driving, road rage, or defective parts are involved — punitive damages may also be available to punish those responsible.
Our goal isn’t just compensation. It’s justice — holding negligent drivers, corporations, and manufacturers accountable so no other family has to endure the same pain.
Why Families Choose McCarthy Motorcycle Law
We’re not a billboard firm. We don’t shuffle clients through an assembly line.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, every client talks directly with attorney John McCarthy, a top 100 trial lawyer with a national reputation for compassion and results. John has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured riders and grieving families — and he does it by treating every case like it’s personal.
Because to us, it is personal.
We’ve lost friends to motorcycle accidents. We’ve stood in driveways beside shattered bikes. And we know how easily the system can overlook riders. That’s why our firm was built specifically for them — for you.
We only take on a limited number of cases so we can give each family the attention, communication, and dedication they deserve. When you call, text, or email, you talk to John, not a paralegal or call center.
We Know California’s Roads — and What Justice Looks Like
From the twisting climbs of Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains to the long, open stretches of Highway 101 through Monterey and Salinas — we know California’s roads, and we know how deadly they can be when drivers aren’t paying attention.
We’ve handled cases up and down the Central Coast and beyond — from Bakersfield to Fresno, from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo to the Bay Area — and we know how local law enforcement, CHP, and insurance companies approach these crashes. That local insight makes a difference when it comes to investigating the scene and proving fault.
Whether your loved one’s crash happened on a mountain curve, a city street, or an interstate, we’ll stand with you — every step of the way.
Take the First Step Toward Justice Today
If you’ve lost someone you love in a motorcycle crash, you don’t have to go through this alone.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we offer free, confidential case evaluations — directly with attorney John McCarthy. There’s no cost to talk, no pressure to hire, and no fee unless we win.
We’ll listen to your story. We’ll explain your options. And if we can help, we’ll fight like hell to get your family justice.
Because you deserve that much — and so did your loved one.
Free Case Evaluation
Start your free case evaluation now — it goes straight to John’s inbox, and he personally reviews every message and usually responds same day.
McCarthy Motorcycle Law — California’s Motorcycle Law Firm.
Built by Riders. Fighting for Families.