Pomona Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Pomona, CA

Motorcycle accidents in Pomona often result in serious injuries, especially when caused by inattentive drivers. Without the protection of an airbag or a steel frame, riders are exposed to risks such as road rash, fractures, and head injuries. In many cases, insurance adjusters may attempt to place blame on the motorcyclist, making the recovery process even more challenging.

Commonwealth Legal Group, PC represents injured motorcyclists throughout Pomona and the Pomona Valley. Our Pomona, CA motorcycle accident lawyer, Founder Albert Ng, has been handling plaintiff-side personal injury cases since 2016 and has recovered millions of dollars for clients across all case types. He knows how insurance companies treat riders, and he doesn’t let them get away with it. Every case is on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.

Why Choose Commonwealth Legal Group for Motorcycle Accident Cases in Pomona, CA?

We Fight the Bias Against Motorcycle Riders

Every motorcycle accident claim starts at a disadvantage. Adjusters assume the rider was being reckless. Defense lawyers argue speeding, weaving, or risk-taking. Sometimes jurors carry the same assumptions. Attorney Albert Ng counters that bias with hard evidence. Police reports, witness testimony, crash reconstruction analysis, traffic camera footage, and the provisions of the California Vehicle Code that protect motorcyclists’ rights. California law gives riders the same right to the road as any other motor vehicle. When a driver violates that right and injures a rider, we hold them accountable. We don’t let insurance companies shift blame onto the victim simply because they were on two wheels.

Millions of Dollars Recovered

Albert graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego (2016) and earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University (2010). He was admitted to the California Bar in December 2016 and is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. His career total exceeds millions of dollars recovered for clients. His $2.2 million trial verdict, after the defense offered $0 in a rear-end collision case, earned a Top 50 Verdict in 2020 and was covered by the Daily Journal.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in Pomona, CA who handles motorcycle crash claims, Albert has the courtroom record and litigation experience to pursue your case aggressively.

No Upfront Fees

Motorcycle accident injuries are expensive. Surgery, hospitalization, rehab, and months away from work create financial pressure fast. We handle every motorcycle case on a contingency fee basis. You pay zero out of pocket. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

Prepared to Take Cases to Trial

Insurance companies settle motorcycle cases for more when they know the attorney on the other side will actually litigate. Attorney Ng’s $2.2 million verdict, secured after a $0 offer, makes that point clearly. That reputation carries into every motorcycle accident negotiation we handle in Pomona, CA.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Pomona

Pomona sits at the intersection of I-10, SR-71, SR-57, and SR-60. Heavy freeway traffic, dense commercial corridors, and aging road surfaces create constant hazards for motorcycle riders. Here are the types of cases we handle:

• Left-turn accidents. The single most common type of motorcycle collision. A driver making a left turn fails to see an oncoming motorcycle and turns directly into the rider’s path. These crashes happen at intersections throughout Pomona, particularly along Holt Avenue and Garey Avenue. The driver’s failure to yield constitutes negligence.
• Lane-change collisions. Motorcycles sit in blind spots of larger vehicles. A driver who changes lanes without checking mirrors can sideswipe a rider and send them to the pavement. These crashes frequently cause back injuries and fractures.
• Rear-end crashes. A vehicle that rear-ends a stopped or slowing motorcycle can launch the rider over the handlebars. The force is magnified because the bike provides no rear protection. These crashes regularly produce brain injuries and neck injuries.
• Lane-splitting accidents. California is the only state where lane splitting is legal under Vehicle Code 21658.1. When a rider is lane splitting safely and a driver opens a door, drifts between lanes, or makes a sudden movement, the driver is at fault. Insurance companies routinely try to blame the motorcyclist for lane splitting. We fight that argument with the law and the evidence.
• Hit-and-run incidents. When a driver strikes a motorcycle and flees, the rider is left with severe injuries and no identified at-fault party. We investigate using traffic cameras, business surveillance, witness statements, and debris analysis. If the driver is never identified, the rider’s uninsured motorist coverage may still provide compensation.
• Road hazard crashes. Potholes, gravel, oil slicks, uneven pavement, and missing signage are far more dangerous to motorcyclists than to car drivers. A pothole that a car barely notices can throw a motorcycle. When a government entity failed to maintain the road, they may share liability. Pomona’s aging infrastructure, including stretches of SR-71 that have been notorious for potholes, creates particular risk for riders.

California Legal Requirements for Motorcycle Accident Cases

Several California laws directly affect motorcycle accident claims filed in Pomona.

Lane splitting is legal in California. Under Vehicle Code 21658.1, a motorcycle with two wheels on the ground may ride between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. The CHP has published safety guidelines for responsible lane splitting. A rider who was following those guidelines at the time of a crash should not be penalized. But insurance companies will try to use it against you. An attorney who understands this law is essential.

California’s universal helmet law requires all riders and passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet. If you were wearing your helmet and still suffered a head injury, the force of the impact speaks for itself. If you were not wearing one, the defense will argue it contributed to your injuries, potentially reducing your recovery under comparative fault, but it does not eliminate your claim.

The statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash under CCP Section 335.1. If a government entity is responsible for a road defect that contributed to the accident, the deadline for an administrative claim drops to six months under Government Code 911.2.

California’s comparative fault rules are used against motorcyclists constantly. Insurers argue the rider was speeding, following too closely, or riding recklessly. Even if a jury assigns partial fault to the rider, damages are reduced by that percentage but not eliminated. A rider found 20% at fault on a $500,000 claim still recovers $400,000.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Pomona Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle injuries are disproportionately severe. The NHTSA reports that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die per mile traveled than car occupants. That severity translates into higher medical costs and larger claims.

Economic damages include every verifiable financial loss: emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescriptions, assistive devices, damaged motorcycle and gear, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. A compound fracture requiring multiple surgeries can exceed $200,000 in medical costs alone. California does not cap economic damages.

Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Road rash leaves permanent scarring. Spinal injuries can end careers. A rider who can no longer do the physical activities that defined their life before the crash has suffered a compensable loss.

Punitive damages may apply when the driver’s conduct was egregious. Under Civil Code 3294, driving drunk, racing, or deliberately intimidating a motorcyclist can support a punitive damage claim.
In fatal motorcycle crashes, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.

What Steps Should I Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Pomona?

A motorcycle crash is sudden and violent. If you’re able, these steps protect your health and your case:

1. Get off the road if you can. If you’re able to move safely, get yourself out of traffic. Do not remove your helmet until a paramedic assesses you for head and neck injuries.
2. Call 911. Request police and medical assistance. A police report is critical evidence in any motorcycle accident case.
3. Get the other driver’s information. Name, phone number, driver’s license, license plate, insurance company and policy number. If the driver tries to leave, get the plate number immediately.
4. Identify witnesses. Bystanders who saw the crash can counter the default assumption that the rider was at fault. Get their names and phone numbers.
5. Photograph everything. Your injuries, motorcycle damage, helmet damage, riding gear, the other vehicle, road conditions, lane markings, traffic signals, and skid marks. Multiple angles.
6. Preserve your motorcycle, helmet, and gear. Do not repair or discard anything. A cracked helmet demonstrates impact force. Motorcycle damage patterns help reconstruct the collision. Road rash on your gear documents crash severity.
7. Go to the emergency room. Adrenaline masks pain after a motorcycle crash. Soft tissue injuries and concussions can take hours to surface. Same-day medical evaluation ties your injuries to the crash.
8. Do not give a recorded statement. The at-fault driver’s insurer will call. They sound sympathetic. Their goal is to minimize your claim. Decline and refer them to your attorney.
9. Stay off social media. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys monitor posts for anything that contradicts your injury claims.
10. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney. Evidence in motorcycle cases disappears fast. Traffic camera footage gets overwritten. Witnesses move on. The sooner you have representation, the sooner we can preserve evidence and start building your case. Learn about when to hire an attorney and post-accident steps.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Pomona and California

The numbers are stark. According to the NHTSA, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed nationwide in 2023, the highest number recorded since federal tracking began in 1975. Motorcyclists made up 15% of all traffic fatalities despite representing only 3.3% of registered vehicles and 0.6% of vehicle miles traveled.

California recorded 583 motorcycle fatalities in 2023, according to the Office of Traffic Safety. That’s a 10.2% decrease from 649 in 2022 but still a 19% increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The UC Berkeley SafeTREC reports that 14% of all motor vehicle fatalities in California in 2023 were motorcyclists. Urban crashes accounted for 73% of fatal motorcycle collisions. Unsafe speed was the primary factor in 28% of fatal and serious injury motorcycle crashes statewide.

Los Angeles County is the most dangerous place to ride a motorcycle in California. The county reported 2,803 motorcycle crashes in 2021, resulting in 133 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. Pomona, located at the convergence of I-10, SR-71, SR-57, and SR-60, sees the kind of heavy, multi-lane traffic where motorcycle accidents are most likely. The City of Pomona has identified multiple dangerous corridors in its Safety Action Plan, and the aging condition of roads like SR-71 through the city, which has been notorious for potholes that disabled dozens of vehicles in a single incident, creates particular hazards for riders who have less margin for error than car drivers. Between 2020 and 2024, California averaged 561 fatal motorcycle crashes per year, and Pomona’s position at the crossroads of four major freeways places it squarely in the middle of that risk.

Pomona Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQs

Is lane splitting legal in Pomona?

Yes. California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. Vehicle Code 21658.1 defines it as riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles. The CHP has published safety guidelines. A rider who was lane splitting responsibly should not be penalized for it.

What if the insurance company blames me because I was riding a motorcycle?

That’s the default defense strategy and we’re ready for it. We counter anti-rider bias with police reports, witness statements, crash reconstruction, traffic camera footage, and the applicable Vehicle Code provisions. California law gives motorcyclists equal rights on the road.

How much is a motorcycle accident case worth in Pomona?

It depends on injury severity, available insurance, and the strength of the evidence. Motorcycle injuries tend to be more severe than car accident injuries, which typically drives higher medical costs and larger claims. Attorney Ng can provide a realistic assessment during a free consultation.

Do I have to wear a helmet in California?

Yes. California’s universal helmet law requires all riders and passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet regardless of age. Compliance eliminates one of the most common defenses insurers use to reduce motorcycle claims.

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

You can still pursue a claim. The defense will argue the lack of a helmet contributed to head injuries, potentially reducing your recovery under comparative fault. But it does not eliminate your right to compensation for the accident itself.

Who is at fault in a left-turn motorcycle accident?

In most cases, the driver making the left turn. California Vehicle Code 21801 requires left-turning drivers to yield to approaching traffic. Failing to see an oncoming motorcycle is not a valid defense.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Pomona?

Two years from the date of the crash under CCP Section 335.1. Government entity claims for road defects have a six-month administrative filing deadline. Contact an attorney early to preserve evidence.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes. California’s pure comparative fault system reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault but does not eliminate it. If you’re 25% responsible and damages total $400,000, you recover $300,000.

What injuries are most common in motorcycle accidents?

Road rash, broken bones including collarbone, wrists, legs, and pelvis. Traumatic brain injuries. Spinal cord damage. Internal organ injuries. Facial fractures. Nerve damage. In the worst cases, death. The NHTSA reports 80% of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death.

Should I keep my damaged motorcycle and gear?

Absolutely. Do not repair or discard your bike, helmet, or riding gear. They’re physical evidence. A cracked helmet shows the force of impact. Damaged motorcycle components help reconstruct how the collision occurred.

Can I sue if a pothole or road defect caused my crash?

Potentially. Road hazards are far more dangerous to motorcyclists than to car drivers. If the government entity responsible for maintaining the road failed to address a known defect, they may share liability. Pomona’s SR-71 corridor has been documented for pothole problems. These claims have shorter deadlines.

What if the other driver fled the scene?

Report the hit-and-run to Pomona Police immediately. Your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. We also investigate using traffic cameras, business surveillance, and vehicle debris to identify the driver.

Do I need a lawyer for a motorcycle accident in Pomona?

Motorcycle cases face unique challenges that standard car claims don’t. The anti-rider bias from insurers and sometimes jurors is real. A Pomona motorcycle accident attorney understands how to counter that prejudice, calculate the full value of severe injuries, and fight for compensation from every available source.

What happens if the driver who hit me was uninsured?

Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is the primary source of recovery. We also investigate whether the at-fault driver has personal assets or whether other parties share liability for the crash.

Can a passenger on my motorcycle file a claim?

Yes. A motorcycle passenger injured in a crash can file a claim against the at-fault driver. If the motorcycle operator was at fault, the passenger can file against the rider’s insurance. Passengers bear no fault for the collision.

Most Dangerous Locations for Motorcycle Accidents in Pomona

Several Pomona roads and corridors pose elevated risks for motorcycle riders:

Interstate 10 through Pomona. I-10 carries enormous traffic volumes and the on/off ramps at Garey Avenue, Towne Avenue, and Indian Hill Boulevard create merge conflicts that are particularly dangerous for motorcycles in adjacent lanes.

SR-71 (Chino Valley Freeway). This corridor runs through Pomona and has been documented for road surface problems including potholes that disabled nearly 50 vehicles in a single incident. For motorcyclists, a pothole at freeway speed can be catastrophic.

Holt Avenue. Pomona’s busiest commercial corridor has heavy intersection traffic where left-turn accidents involving motorcycles are common. Congestion near shopping centers creates stop-and-go conditions that put lane-splitting riders at risk.

Garey Avenue. Dense traffic connecting industrial, commercial, and residential areas. The intersection with Holt Avenue is one of the most documented accident hotspots in the city.

Mission Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard. Both corridors carry a mix of local and commuter traffic at speeds that create danger for riders, especially at intersections with poor signal timing and limited visibility.

What Are Important Local Resources for Pomona Motorcycle Accident Victims?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in Pomona, these resources can help:

Pomona Police Department, (909) 620-2155, 490 W. Mission Blvd., Pomona, CA 91766. File a police report or obtain a copy online.

California Highway Patrol, Baldwin Park Area, (626) 338-1164. CHP investigates motorcycle accidents on I-10, SR-60, SR-71, and SR-57.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, (909) 865-9500, 1798 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA 91767. Emergency department and trauma center for motorcycle crash injuries.

City of Pomona Public Works, (909) 620-2281. Report road hazards, potholes, or construction zone issues that create danger for riders.

Disclaimer: Listing these resources does not constitute an endorsement by Commonwealth Legal Group, PC. They are provided for informational purposes only.

Contact Commonwealth Legal Group

If a car driver’s negligence put you down on your motorcycle in Pomona, CA, you deserve a lawyer who won’t let an insurance company blame you for being a rider. Attorney Albert Ng provides free consultations and takes every motorcycle accident case on contingency. No upfront fees. No risk. We respond quickly and give honest assessments from the first conversation.

Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation today.