Motorcycle Speeding Accidents in Los Angeles

If you get injured in a motorcycle accident involving speeding, you may be eligible for financial compensation as the driver or rider. In California, the party at fault for an accident must pay. Evidence of speeding may be used as proof of fault for the purposes of an auto insurance claim. Even if you were the one speeding, you could still be eligible for compensation.

How Does Speeding Contribute to Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles?

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 583 motorcyclists lost their lives in statewide traffic accidents in 2023. Statistics from UC Berkeley show that in California in 2023, 32 percent of traffic deaths were speeding-related. This was higher than the national average of 29 percent.

Speeding can greatly increase the risk of a motorcycle accident, and is consistently listed as a top collision factor in crash data. If either a motor vehicle driver or a motorcyclist speeds, this can increase stopping distance, reduce braking effectiveness, cause a loss of vehicle control and enhance the severity of a crash. 

Common Places for Speed-Related Motorcycle Crashes in LA

The most common locations in Los Angeles for speeding-related accidents are freeways, such as I-405 and the 110. Motorcycle speeding collisions in particular tend to occur on winding canyon, mountain and hillside roads, such as Mulholland Drive.

All road users in California are required to obey posted speed limits and drive at reasonable speeds based on traffic, road and weather conditions. This can mean reducing speeds to below the posted limit in dangerous conditions, such as bad weather. 

California’s Comparative Negligence Law and Speeding Accidents

Even if you were partially at fault for a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles due to speeding, you can still recover financial compensation under California’s comparative negligence rule. This legal doctrine holds individuals accountable for the amount by which they contributed to their own accident or injuries.

Since California uses a pure comparative negligence rule, an individual can still receive partial compensation even with up to 99 percent of fault for a motorcycle wreck. However, any settlement or jury verdict awarded to an injured party will be reduced by a value equivalent to his or her degree of fault or negligence.

This rule means that you should still file a claim for financial compensation as an injured person if you were speeding. If you share fault with the other party, your legal liability for the motorcycle accident can be reduced accordingly.

Getting the Most Out of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Los Angeles

Whether you were the motor vehicle driver or motorcyclist involved in a speeding accident in Los Angeles, a lawyer for motorcycle accidents in LA can help you proceed with the claims process. A lawyer can investigate the crash, search for evidence of speeding or fault, hire experts to strengthen your case, combat any allegations of fault you may face, and negotiate with an insurance claims adjuster on your behalf to achieve the best possible case outcome. 

Since speeding typically increases the severity of a motorcycle accident, the injuries suffered may reach the level of catastrophic. Common examples include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and internal injuries. A motorcyclist is more likely to suffer severe and fatal injuries in a crash than motor vehicle occupants.We can help you achieve life-changing case results for life-changing injuries. Learn more and get help from an injury lawyer in LA during a free initial case review at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP.