Hollywood Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Have you been hurt in a recent motorcycle accident? Our Hollywood motorcycle accident attorney may be able to get you fair compensation for your injuries. Serving Los Angeles since 1978, BISNAR CHASE represents injured plaintiffs and even advances all costs! If in the end we don't win your case, you won't pay! John Bisnar and Brian Chase are serious about providing the best client experience possible. Call today for a free motorcycle accident consultation. Call 323-238-4683.

Motorcycles Thrilling, But Danger Looms

Motorcycle accidents are possible no matter where you go. Stepping behind the wheels of a small, fast object like a motorcycle has its own risks and rewards. The rewards of course are the excitement and thrill of going fast, hugging the road with the wheels of a single bike with no protection covering your body. And nothing but the open road ahead of you. Indeed it all sounds so enthralling.

But, alas, once an accident occurs, you run the risk of severe injury and even death. In the event of severe injury or wrongful death due to motorcycle accidents, it is always best to contact a Hollywood motorcycle accident attorney. They can mean the difference between a settlement and no settlement at all. Luckily there are laws that help provide requirements on the protective gear one can wear, and can effectively reduce the number of accidents as a result.

Sunset Boulevard. Hollywood Boulevard. Santa Monica Boulevard. Cruising down the highway on your motorcycle on a sunny Hollywood day; there is nothing like it. There is a certain sense of liberty that car drivers never have. The breeze in your face and…wait. No, that is a thing of the past. Every California rider has to be wearing a helmet. It's the law. In fact, helmet requirements are not the only thing different about California's biker laws.

California Motorcycle Laws

Motorcycle laws vary by state and while California's laws are similar to other states, there are a few exceptions that everyone on the road should known about.

Helmets. In California, there exists a helmet law and you must have an approved helmet. You don't have to wear leathers or any protective gear other than the helmet. Even in Hollywood though, you do have to wear some kind of clothing- just a suggestion, you see. You don't even have to wear the right kind of shoes, but it helps if you want to be trendy. You do have to wear a helmet.

Lane sharing. California does allow lane sharing. It tends to be rather suicidal, but bikers can weave in between cars that are in a lane. Most motorists consider it insane. The CHP had been advising people about safety and lane sharing, but they have now removed all of those suggestions from their pamphlet on motorcycling.

The practicality of lane sharing for Bikers

A biker who weaves in between cars in traffic is trying to get ahead of everyone else…Not really true. Years ago, because California is a warm state and motor bikes were air cooled, a lot of bikes overheated and stalled on the highway. Then, they were getting hit from behind by cars. They were also a peril by having to be pushed off to the side of the road and then trying to figure out what in the world to do with them.

Now, there are some new laws to contend with:

Motorcycle Instruction Permits

Instruction Permit: Motorcycle (AB 1952, Niello) This bill added Section 12509.5 to the Vehicle Code, which lays out the age-specific requirements drivers must fulfill to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit. Among those requirements for drivers younger than 21 years of age is the successful completion of the motorcycle safety course administered by the CHP.

Motorcycle Theft

Motorcycle Theft: (AB 1848, Garrick) This bill adds Section 466.65 to the Penal Code and makes it a misdemeanor to possess, give, or lend the following:

• Any device designed to bypass the factory-installed ignition of a motorcycle in order to start the engine without the manufacturer's key.
• Any motorcycle ignition or part of motorcycle ignition, with the intent to unlawfully take or drive, or to facilitate the unlawful taking or driving of a motorcycle, without the consent of the owner.
• Items of hardware, including bolt cutters, electrical tape, wire cutters, wire strippers, or allen wrenches, with the intent to aid in the unlawful taking or driving of a motorcycle without the consent of the owner.

HOV Lanes

High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes (AB 1500, Lieu & SB 535, Yee) These bills extended the life of the yellow and white clean air stickers for low emission vehicles. Vehicles bearing these valid stickers can continue to access HOV lanes regardless of vehicle occupancy. Hybrids with Yellow Clean Air Access stickers set to expire the beginning of January 2011 will be given a six-month extension until July 1, 2011. White Clean Air Access stickers will be valid until Jan. 1, 2015. Additionally, SB 535 provides that starting in 2012, 40,000 HOV access stickers can be issued to early purchasers of Enhanced Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles.

Windshield Video Event Recorder

Windshield Video Event Recorder (AB 1942, Fletcher) This bill amended Section 26708 of the Vehicle Code to allow a video event recorder to be mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of a vehicle windshield on the passenger side, or a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the vehicle windshield on the driver's side, outside of an airbag deployment zone. It also makes it legal to mount the video event recorder in a 5-inch square in the center uppermost portion of the interior of the windshield. The law also defines a video event recorder and requires a vehicle equipped with one to have a notice posted in a visible location which states that a passenger's conversation may be recorded. In addition, this law lays out rules for recording events, notes who the rightful owner of the footage is, and who is entitled to a copy of the recording.

Experienced, Trusted Representation

For over 35 years Bisnar Chase has been helping Californians with personal injury cases. We've collected over $500 Million in settlements, verdicts and judgments for our clients and served over 12,000 people. We have a passion for justice and have earned a name as of the best in California. Los Angeles and Hollywood are areas we've served for decades. Call today to see if you have a case after your motorcycle accident. Call 323-238-4683.