If you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may wonder what to do next. You may wonder about the common causes of motorcycle accidents and how to build your case. Our experienced San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyers at LA Century Law explain.
Motorcycle Accidents – A Common Problem in San Bernardino
Motorcycle accidents are tragically common in the San Bernardino-Riverside area:
- In 2023, 5.75% of people hurt and killed in traffic accidents in San Bernardino County were motorcyclists (870 motorcyclist injuries/deaths of 15,118 total injuries/deaths).
- In the City of San Bernardino, 90 motorcyclists were injured or killed in 2023, and 6.1% of total motor vehicle injuries and deaths in the City of San Bernardino were motorcyclists.
- In California, 14% of traffic fatalities involve motorcyclists. There were 583 total motorcyclist fatalities in 2023.
According to UC Berkeley, San Bernardino ranks fourth among California cities for motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries:
| Rank  | City | Fatalities  | Serious Injuries |
| 1 | Los Angeles | 125 | 754 |
| 2 | San Diego | 52 | 317 |
| 3 | Riverside | 50 | 210 |
| 4 | San Bernardino | 48 | 179 |
| 5 | Orange | 42 | 140 |
Data from 2023.
The Most Frequent Causes of San Bernardino Motorcycle Crashes
The most common causes of motorcycle crashes in California, including San Bernardino, are:
- Unsafe speed – 28.2%
- Improper turning – 19.8%
- Automobile right of way – 19.3%
- Drunk driving* – 8.7%
- Improper lane change – 5.2%
*The drunk driving statistic includes the operation of a bicycle while intoxicated.
Source: UC Berkeley, Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, 2025 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts: Motorcycle Safety.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are human factors
The top factors in California motorcycle crashes are human factors. For example, drivers must obey speed limits and adjust their speed to road conditions. Drivers must observe right-of-way rules. These top causes of motorcycle accidents result from human error, poor judgment, and careless driving. In addition to driver behavior, vehicle characteristics, and roadway design can also contribute to a crash.
Where do San Bernardino motorcycle crashes occur?
San Bernardino motorcycle crashes occur on freeways, county roads, and local streets. Main roads in San Bernardino include:
- I-10 (San Bernardino freeway)
- I-15 (Barstow Freeway/Ontario Freeway)
- I-40 (Needles Freeway)
- I-215 (Barstow Freeway/Escondido Freeway)
- I-210 (Foothill Freeway)
- SR 210, SR 62, SR 330 (Rim of the World Highway), SR 83
- County Route 66
Motorcycle accidents on any type of road can cause significant injury.
How Fault Is Determined in California Motorcycle Accidents
Fault in California motorcycle accidents is determined by negligence. California law requires every person, company, or organization to act reasonably. When someone acts negligently in a way that hurts someone else, the negligent party is legally at fault. Fault can be the basis of a compensation claim.
The main questions for evaluating fault for a motorcycle accident in California are:
Whose actions caused the accident?
Were those actions reasonable, or unreasonable?
Did the person’s unreasonable actions result in the victim’s injuries?
A person can be unreasonable because of something that they do, like changing lanes when it’s not safe. A person can also be unreasonable by failing to do something, such as not reducing their speed in inclement weather.
Motorcycle accidents are evaluated on a case-by-case basis
Each motorcycle accident claim is evaluated individually to determine fault.
- One person may be at fault for a motorcycle accident, or multiple people may be at fault.
- The party responsible may be a vehicle driver, a vehicle manufacturer, a government entity that manages the roads, or someone else entirely.
- A person, corporation, organization, or government entity may be responsible for a motorcycle accident.
- Often, fault is based on a moving violation, but a moving violation is not required to be at fault.
- California’s pure comparative fault applies in San Bernardino motorcycle accident claims.
A victim must prove fault to claim compensation.
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Your Motorcycle Case
Expert witnesses may play an important role in a motorcycle accident claim.
An expert witness can explain the pain and suffering that the victim has endured from their injuries. An expert can describe the extent of permanent impairment. They may discuss the financial impact of injuries.
There are many types of expert witnesses. A lawyer can help you determine which experts may benefit your case. They can prepare expert witnesses for your case.
Documenting Your Injuries: What Your Attorney Will Need
When you meet with your attorney, bring all the documentation you have. Your attorney will need a copy of the accident report and your medical records. They will need your income information. A list of witnesses can give your attorney a starting point to build your case. Your attorney can explain how to journal your recovery to build evidence of pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait To Hire an Attorney After a Motorcycle Crash
When you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident, you need to focus on healing. That’s hard to do when you’re navigating a legal claim by yourself.
An attorney can gather evidence when it’s most available, immediately after the accident. They know what to ask witnesses. They can identify things that may be important later in the case. Addressing these issues early can save time during your case. It can also maximize your compensation by building the evidence for your claim.
LA Century Law’s Approach to Motorcycle Accident Litigation
At LA Century Law, we believe that motorcyclists have important rights. Our philosophy is to handle the legal process for you so that you can focus on your recovery. Our legal team devotes the time and resources to maximizing case results for our clients.
We know that being a motorcycle accident victim is hard. Our legal team investigates and gathers evidence. When you choose LA Century Law, you have the support of our entire team. We’ll create a custom case plan tailored to your needs and goals.
Talk to a Lawyer
Whether the cause of your motorcycle accident is common or uncommon, you deserve fair compensation. LA Century Law can build your case. We are currently taking new cases in San Bernardino, so call or message us now.
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