Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

Posted on February 17, 2026 in Motorcycle Accidents

Every year, thousands of motorcyclists get seriously injured and killed in motorcycle accidents in California. Most, if not all, motorcycle accidents that occur annually in Los Angeles are preventable. Various examples of negligence or a lack of proper care are behind these collisions. Identifying the most common causes can help you improve your safety as a motorcyclist in LA.

Distracted Driving

Motorcycles are difficult for motor vehicle drivers to spot even when they are paying attention to the road. If a driver is distracted by other activities besides driving, this increases the odds that he or she will not notice a motorcyclist and cause a collision. Common forms of driver distraction include texting and other cell phone use, eating and drinking, personal grooming, and looking at a map or GPS.

Speeding

In 2023, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 583 motorcyclist fatalities, a 10.2 percent decrease from 649 in 2022. Speeding was a significant contributor to these fatal collisions. Speeding by both motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers can increase the odds of a crash, as a fast-moving vehicle is harder to stop and control.

Speeding also increases the severity of motorcycle collisions that do occur. High speeds result in a higher force of impact. When a vulnerable and exposed motorcyclist absorbs this force upon impact, he or she can suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. Deaths are more likely to occur when a motorcycle crash involves one or more speeding vehicles.

Drug and Alcohol Impairment

Reckless driving behaviors contribute to many car and motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles each year. One of the most common infractions is driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Although it is against the law to drive while impaired by substances, thousands of people get behind the wheel or handlebars while under the influence anyway. An intoxicated motorcyclist is more likely to make careless and reckless mistakes that lead to motorcycle accidents.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes can lead to sideswipe motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles. If a motor vehicle driver fails to keep a proper lookout, check blind spots, use turn signals or change lanes safely, he or she could collide with the side of a motorcyclist. 

Accidents while merging or switching lanes in Los Angeles occur most often on the city’s freeways, such as the 405, 110, I-5 and US 101. If a motorcyclist is lane splitting (which is legal in California), this may increase the odds of a lane-change accident.

Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way

Motorcyclists are given right-of-way privileges just like other motorists in Los Angeles. When a motor vehicle driver is approaching a red light or stop sign, the driver is legally obligated to come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to any motorcyclists, as required by law. A common type of motorcycle crash at intersections is a left-turn accident, where a driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist.

Dangerous Road Conditions

Los Angeles has a reputation for poor road maintenance, road defects and overall dangerous road conditions. Motorcyclists are more prone to accidents caused by dangerous road conditions than motor vehicle drivers, including potholes, cracks, uneven shoulders, loose gravel, and objects or debris in the road. 

Encountering these defects on a motorcycle could lead to a loss of vehicle control and a serious crash. The state or municipal government in charge of the condition of the roadway can be held responsible if it knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard but failed to take corrective action in a timely manner.

When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Los Angeles

Motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles can happen for a number of reasons, but all of the most common causes are preventable with due care. If you were injured in a recent motorcycle crash in LA, discuss your right to file a Los Angeles injury claim against one or more parties with an LA attorney for motorcycle accidents at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP. We offer free consultations.