Oakland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Every day in Oakland, motorcycle riders face unique dangers that can lead to life-altering accidents. When another driver’s negligence causes a crash, you have grounds for legal action. In these situations, you deserve an attorney who not only understands motorcycle law but also understands the challenges and prejudices riders often encounter.

Choulos, Choulos & Wyle San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyers bring over 50 years of combined experience representing injured motorcyclists across Oakland. We have the skills, resources, and determination to help you pursue the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Reach out today and learn how we can advocate for your rights.

Why Choose Our Oakland Motorcycle Accident Attorneys?

Our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyers have maintained a remarkable 98% success rate in the personal injury claims that we handle. We will not rest until we secure a fair settlement for you.
We limit our caseload so we can provide your case with the attention it deserves. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Santa Rosa can handle every detail, from documenting and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies.
Your motorcycle accident lawsuit will be handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless our Oakland bicycle accident lawyers win compensation for your injuries in San Francisco, Oakland, and across the Bay Area community.

Factors That Lead to Motorcycle Crashes in Oakland, CA

Motorcycle accidents rarely happen without cause. On Oakland’s busy streets and highways, several common hazards put motorcyclists at heightened risk:

Driver Errors: The majority of motorcycle accidents involve mistakes made by motor vehicle drivers. Common errors include failing to check blind spots before changing lanes, making left turns in front of oncoming motorcyclists, following too closely, and distracted driving. Many drivers simply don’t see motorcycles because they’re not actively looking for them.
Mechanical Failures: Sometimes the cause of a crash isn’t driver error but a defect in the motorcycle itself. Brake failures, tire blowouts, throttle malfunctions, and defective parts can all lead to serious accidents. If a mechanical failure contributed to your crash, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or mechanic who serviced your bike.
Poor Infrastructure: Oakland’s roads aren’t always maintained to safe standards for motorcyclists. Potholes, uneven pavement, debris in the roadway, faded lane markings, and poorly designed intersections create serious hazards. Gravel or sand in curves can cause loss of traction, while metal plates covering construction zones become dangerously slippery when wet. If poor road conditions contributed to your accident, the responsible government entity may be liable for your injuries.
Weather-Related Crashes: Rain creates slick road surfaces that reduce traction and increase stopping distances for motorcycles. Fog limits visibility, making it harder for both motorcyclists and other drivers to see potential hazards. While the weather itself isn’t negligent, drivers who fail to adjust their behavior to the conditions—such as speeding in rain or following too closely in fog—can still be held liable when their actions cause accidents.
Aggressive Driving and Intentional Violence: Road rage incidents and aggressive driving behaviors pose serious threats to motorcyclists. When drivers deliberately cut off motorcyclists, brake-check them, or even intentionally strike them, these actions constitute assault. You have every right to seek compensation for injuries caused by intentional acts, and in some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish this behavior.

What Are Common Injuries in Oakland Motorcycle Collisions?

Without the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, or safety features, even a minor motorcycle accident can result in catastrophic injuries. The force of impact often throws riders from their bikes, leading to severe injuries that can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation:

Partial or full paralysis
Traumatic brain injuries
Severe road rash
Multiple bone fractures
Dental injuries
Internal organ damage
Permanent scarring
Nerve damage or Neuropathy
Psychological trauma

How Can an Oakland Motorcycle Lawyer Help Your Case?

Hiring legal representation can make a critical difference in your motorcycle accident claim. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by exploiting common biases against motorcyclists or arguing that you were partially at fault. At Choulos, Choulos & Wyle, our Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys understand these tactics and know how to effectively counter them with evidence and expert testimony.

Our firm will thoroughly investigate the accident, gathering evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and medical records to support your side of the story. We’ll also document the full extent of your injuries and calculate the long-term impact a motorcycle accident can have on your life, including future medical expenses and lost earning potential that you might not consider.

Our attorneys will also handle all communications with insurance adjusters, helping you avoid making statements that could harm your case. We will also identify all potential sources of compensation, including multiple insurance policies or third-party liability.

Most importantly, hiring an attorney allows you to focus on your physical recovery while we manage the legal process. Our goal is to secure the compensation that you truly need to move forward, and you can rest knowing that your case is in capable hands.

What Compensation Is Available in an Oakland Motorcycle Accident Claim?

After a motorcycle accident, you are likely facing an uncertain financial future. California law allows you to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from your crash, such as:

Medical Expenses: You can recover costs for all accident-related medical treatment, including emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, and future medical care. Our attorneys work with medical experts to calculate the full cost of your future care needs.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevented you from working, you deserve compensation for every day of lost wages. This includes salary, bonuses, benefits, and self-employment income. For severe injuries that affect your ability to work long-term, you can also recover compensation for diminished earning capacity—the difference between what you could have earned if the accident hadn’t occurred and what you can realistically earn now.
Property Damage: Motorcycle repairs or replacement costs are recoverable, along with damage to protective gear, helmets, and any other personal property destroyed in the crash. Keep all receipts and repair estimates to document these losses accurately.
Physical Pain and Permanent Disability: The physical impact of your injuries deserves compensation. You can secure damages for both the immediate pain from the accident and the chronic pain that persists during your recovery or permanently. If the accident results in permanent disability or disfigurement, you can recover damages for the impact of these impairments on your life.
Emotional Distress: The psychological impact of a serious motorcycle accident can be just as debilitating as physical injuries. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, and fear of riding again all qualify as compensable damages. Mental health treatment costs can also be recovered as part of your claim.

How an Oakland Motorcycle Crash Attorney Can Help Deal with Insurers

Insurance companies often approach motorcycle accident claims with skepticism, taking advantage of biased views about motorcyclists to minimize their payout. At Choulos, Choulos & Wyle, we’ve seen every tactic insurers use, and we know how to counter them.

Adjusters often start by questioning whether you were wearing proper protective gear or following traffic laws. They will scrutinize every detail of the accident, looking for any reason to claim you were partially at fault. We will push back against these unfair characterizations with solid evidence and expert testimony that demonstrates the other party’s negligence was the true cause of your crash.

Another common tactic involves rushing you to settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Motorcycle accident injuries often worsen over time, and you may not know the true impact on your life for weeks or months. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot reopen your claim, even if complications arise later. Our San Francisco personal injury attorneys will make sure that you do not settle until we have fully evaluated your injuries and future needs.

When Should You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Crash?

If the insurance company denies your claim entirely, a lawsuit may be your only option for recovering compensation. Denials might be based on disputed liability, coverage issues, or the insurer’s bad faith refusal to honor the policy. Our attorneys can evaluate whether the denial has merit and advise you on the strength of a potential lawsuit.

When settlement negotiations stall or the insurance company makes unreasonably low offers, filing a lawsuit demonstrates that you’re serious about pursuing fair compensation. Often, insurers become more willing to negotiate once they face the prospect of going to trial, where a jury might award significantly more than they offered.

What to Do and What Not to Do After an Oakland Motorcycle Accident

The actions you take immediately after a motorcycle accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Knowing the right steps to follow—and the mistakes to avoid—protects both your health and your legal rights.

After your accident, here’s what you should do:

Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine.
Report the accident to the police by calling 911.
Take as many photographs and videos of the accident and your injuries as you can.
Keep records of all of your expenses and bills.
Contact an Oakland motorcycle accident lawyer immediately.

Certain actions can jeopardize your claim. Here’s what not to do after a motorcycle accident:

Don’t admit fault or apologize at the scene.
Don’t post about your accident or injuries on social media.
Don’t give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation.
Don’t accept quick settlement offers before consulting an attorney.
Don’t wait to seek legal help—early representation protects your rights.

Begin Your Legal Journey with Choulos, Choulos & Wyle

Too often, motorcycle riders face unfair bias from insurance companies and at-fault drivers who try to shift blame onto the motorcyclist. At Choulos, Choulos & Wyle, we have spent decades fighting against these prejudices while securing maximum compensation for injured riders. It’s time for us to fight for you. Contact us at (415) 604-9915 for a free consultation with our Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys.