San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle riders face a structurally different risk profile than vehicle occupants. They are unprotected by a steel frame, invisible to distracted drivers, and bear the full physical consequence of any collision. San Francisco's road environment amplifies that risk: cable car tracks on Market Street and Church Street catch tires; the steep grades on Nob Hill, Potrero Hill, and Twin Peaks corridors require longer stopping distances and create sight-line obstructions at crests; the narrow lanes in the Tenderloin, SoMa, and the Mission leave riders little room to maneuver when a driver changes lanes or opens a door without checking mirrors. Attorney Michael Rehm represents motorcycle riders injured in accidents throughout San Francisco and San Francisco County. These claims are filed in San Francisco Superior Court, 400 McAllister Street.

How Motorcycle Accidents Happen in San Francisco

The most common cause of serious motorcycle accidents in California is a vehicle driver making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver typically claims not to have seen the motorcycle. Failure to see a motorcycle that was plainly visible is not a defense — it is evidence of inattention that establishes the breach of the duty of care under Civil Code § 1714. Vehicle Code § 21801(a) requires a driver turning left to yield to approaching traffic. Violation of that section is evidence of negligence per se under California Evidence Code § 669.

Other common causes include: unsafe lane changes in violation of Vehicle Code § 22107; drivers opening car doors into the path of riders in violation of Vehicle Code § 22517; rear-end collisions in violation of Vehicle Code § 21703; and road defects including cable car tracks on streets maintained by the City and County of San Francisco or SFMTA.

Lane Splitting and Comparative Fault

California is the only state that explicitly permits lane splitting by motorcyclists. Vehicle Code § 21658.1 authorizes lane splitting when done safely and prudently. Defense attorneys routinely argue that lane splitting constitutes comparative fault. California's pure comparative fault system under Civil Code § 1431.2 apportions non-economic damages by percentage of fault but does not bar recovery even if the rider is found partially at fault. Whether lane splitting under particular conditions was safe and prudent is a factual question requiring examination of the specific speed differential, traffic conditions, and road width.

Road Defect Claims Against the City

San Francisco's Muni rail tracks and cable car tracks create particular hazards for motorcycle tires. A groove parallel to a tire's direction of travel can catch the tire and cause a sudden loss of control. Claims against the City and County of San Francisco or SFMTA for dangerous road conditions are governed by Government Code § 835. A government tort claim under Government Code § 911.2 must be filed within six months. Missing this deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit against any public entity. Tolling may apply depending on the facts.

Injuries and Damages

Motorcycle accident injuries are disproportionately severe because riders absorb impacts directly. Traumatic brain injury, even with a helmet, is common in high-speed collisions. Road rash, orthopedic injuries including long bone fractures and pelvic fractures, and spinal injuries are common. Damages include all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, non-economic damages for pain and suffering, and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60.

Filing Deadlines for San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Claims

The personal injury statute of limitations is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against public entities for road defects require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. None of these deadlines are self-executing and tolling may apply — contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the specific timeline in your case.

Attorney Michael Rehm represents motorcycle accident victims throughout San Francisco on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.

San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754