The Major Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the USA and How to Prevent Them

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
The Biker Law Blog | www.bikerlawblog.com

As a lifelong biker and an attorney who has represented motorcycle accident victims for nearly three decades, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating these crashes can be. One moment you’re cruising down the highway with the wind at your back, and the next, your life can be forever changed.

Motorcycle accidents are tragically common across the United States, and unlike car crashes, the consequences are often far more severe. Riders don’t have the luxury of steel cages, airbags, or crumple zones. What we do have is skill, awareness, and the ability to control the decisions we make on the road.

In this article, I’ll break down the major causes of motorcycle accidents and offer practical tips to help prevent them—because knowing the risks is the first step toward avoiding them.

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1. Left-Turning Cars at Intersections

One of the most common and deadliest scenarios involves a car turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. This typically happens at intersections when a car driver misjudges the biker’s speed or fails to see them entirely.

Why It Happens:

• Drivers are looking for other cars—not motorcycles.

• Misjudgment of a motorcycle’s speed and distance.

• Distracted or impatient drivers trying to “beat” traffic.

How to Prevent It:

• Ride defensively: Assume the driver doesn’t see you.

• Cover your brakes: Be ready to stop or swerve.

• Use your high beam during the day: It improves visibility.

• Slow down at intersections: Even if you have the right of way.

2. Cars Changing Lanes Into Motorcyclists

You’re riding along in a lane when suddenly, a car veers into your path—without a signal or warning. This is another leading cause of accidents and often results in serious injuries.

Why It Happens:

• Motorcycles are small and easily disappear in blind spots.

• Drivers fail to check mirrors or blind spots before changing lanes.

• Motorcyclists linger in blind zones for too long.

How to Prevent It:

• Stay out of blind spots: If you can’t see the driver’s eyes in their mirror, they can’t see you.

• Position yourself visibly: Ride in the lane portion where you are most visible.

• Flash your lights or honk if needed: It’s better to be safe than polite.

3. Speeding—By Riders or Other Drivers

Speed kills. While many riders enjoy the thrill of acceleration, excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance.

Why It Happens:

• Riders seeking adrenaline rushes.

• Drivers and riders failing to adjust speed for conditions.

• Misjudging corners or road conditions at high speeds.

How to Prevent It:

• Ride within your limits—not the machine’s.

• Use track days to enjoy high-speed riding in a safe, controlled environment.

• Adjust speed for weather, road surfaces, and traffic.

4. Alcohol and Drug Impairment

Riding under the influence is a recipe for disaster. Reaction times slow, coordination suffers, and judgment becomes impaired.

Why It Happens:

• Riders or drivers overestimate their abilities while intoxicated.

• Impaired driving by others leading to collisions with riders.

How to Prevent It:

• Never ride impaired. Ever.

• Encourage others to ride sober.

• Avoid riding near bars at closing time, when impaired drivers may be on the road.

5. Road Hazards

Potholes, gravel, slick surfaces, and uneven lanes can all spell disaster for a motorcycle. Unlike cars, we don’t have four points of traction—we have two.

Why It Happens:

• Poor road maintenance.

• Weather-related issues like wet leaves or ice.

• Debris or animals suddenly appearing on the road.

How to Prevent It:

• Scan the road well ahead and adjust your path or speed.

• Don’t overreact—abrupt braking on gravel or slick roads can cause a slide.

• Practice low-speed handling and emergency maneuvers.

6. Inexperience and Lack of Training

Too many riders hit the streets without proper training or experience, especially when moving up to bigger bikes.

Why It Happens:

• Overconfidence.

• Failure to take a safety course.

• Lack of regular riding practice.

How to Prevent It:

• Take a certified motorcycle safety course (such as the MSF Basic Rider Course).

• Ride regularly to build skill—riding is perishable if you don’t practice.

• Know your bike’s handling characteristics inside and out.

7. Group Riding Accidents

Group rides can be a blast—but they also bring unique dangers when riders follow too closely or ride beyond their skill level.

Why It Happens:

• Peer pressure to keep up.

• Tight formations or sudden braking.

• Inadequate planning or communication.

How to Prevent It:

• Ride your own ride. Never exceed your comfort level.

• Use staggered formations to maintain space and visibility.

• Establish clear group riding rules before hitting the road.

The Role of Protective Gear

Even with prevention, accidents happen. That’s why proper gear is essential. Full-face helmets, armored jackets, gloves, and boots save lives and reduce injury severity.

• Always gear up, even for short rides.

• Hi-viz gear improves visibility, especially at dawn and dusk.

• Replace gear after a crash, even if it looks okay.

Legal Protection Matters Too

If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident—especially due to another party’s negligence—you need an attorney who rides and understands the road.

At The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez, I’ve not only handled motorcycle cases for nearly 30 years, I ride myself. I understand the unique factors that go into proving fault and getting bikers the maximum compensation they deserve.

Final Thoughts

Motorcycle riding is one of the greatest freedoms there is—but it comes with risk. That doesn’t mean you should stop riding. It means you should ride smart, ride defensively, and be prepared.

Understand the causes of most motorcycle accidents, take control of your own safety, and always be aware of the road—and the people sharing it with you.

Ride safe, ride smart, and know that I’ve got your back.

Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The Biker Law Blog – www.bikerlawblog.com
The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez – www.thepersonalinjury.com

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The post The Major Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the USA and How to Prevent Them first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

The Devastating Effects of a Motorcycle Accident vs. a Car Accident – Why You Need a Biker Lawyer Who Rides Like You
By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.

When it comes to traffic collisions, not all accidents are created equal. The difference between a motorcycle accident and a car accident is not just in size or mechanics—it’s in the severity of the injuries, the complexity of the case, and the way the law treats motorcyclists. As an attorney with nearly three decades of experience handling personal injury cases across California—and a biker myself—I can tell you firsthand: when a motorcycle accident happens, everything changes.

At The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez, we understand that motorcycle accidents are not just “smaller car accidents.” They are unique, often catastrophic, and require a specialized approach to ensure that victims receive the compensation they are legally entitled to.

The Grim Reality: Motorcycle Accidents vs. Car Accidents

Let’s be blunt. In a car, you’re protected by seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones, and a steel frame. On a motorcycle, you have none of those things. When a crash occurs, the motorcyclist is likely to be thrown from the bike, suffer direct impact with the road or another object, or get pinned beneath a vehicle. The human body simply cannot absorb that kind of trauma without serious consequences.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles, and 4 times more likely to be injured. Even a “minor” motorcycle accident can result in major injuries like:

• Traumatic brain injuries (even with a helmet)

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis

• Fractured or shattered bones

• Road rash that leads to infections and permanent scarring

• Loss of limbs

• Internal organ damage

Car accident victims may suffer injuries, but they rarely face the kind of catastrophic physical and emotional trauma that a biker does.

Legal Differences: Motorcycle Accidents Require a Specialized Strategy

The law is supposed to be blind, but when it comes to motorcyclists, there is often an unfair bias. Insurance companies and even juries may perceive bikers as reckless or dangerous, simply because they ride. That stigma can dramatically affect your case if you don’t have the right legal representation.

As an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who actually rides, I know how to combat those stereotypes in court. I know how to explain to a jury that lane-splitting is legal in California. I know how to prove that the biker wasn’t speeding or weaving through traffic irresponsibly—but that they were injured because a negligent driver failed to yield, check their blind spot, or respect the motorcyclist’s right to the road.

These are details that a generic personal injury lawyer may overlook. But to me, they’re second nature.

The Damages Motorcycle Accident Victims Are Entitled To

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, California law entitles you to full and fair compensation for your losses. This includes:

• Medical Expenses (past, present, and future): Surgeries, rehab, assistive devices, physical therapy

• Loss of Income: Wages lost during recovery and future earning potential if you’re disabled

• Pain and Suffering: For the immense physical pain and emotional distress you endure

• Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your motorcycle and gear

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from doing what you love—riding, working, or even walking

• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct

Unfortunately, insurance companies will almost always try to minimize these payouts. They’ll argue your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim, or that you were somehow at fault. That’s where I come in.

How a Biker Lawyer Like Me Gets You Maximum Compensation

I’m not just any lawyer—I’m Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, and I ride just like you. I understand the risks you take on the road, and I understand the passion that drives you to ride in the first place. That perspective is invaluable in the courtroom and during settlement negotiations.

When I take on your case, I fight like it was my own life on the line—because in a way, it is. As a fellow rider, I take every case personally. Here’s what sets me apart:

• Immediate Investigation: We act fast to preserve evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstructions.

• Top Medical Experts: We work with leading doctors to evaluate the full scope of your injuries and treatment needs.

• Aggressive Negotiation: I don’t back down. I’ve gone up against the biggest insurance companies and won.

• Trial-Ready Representation: If they won’t pay what you’re owed, I’ll take your case to court—prepared, experienced, and ready to win.

You deserve more than just a lawyer—you deserve a biker lawyer who gets it.

You Are Not Alone

A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant. The physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial devastation are overwhelming—but you don’t have to face it alone.

At The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez, we’ve helped countless bikers across California get the justice they deserve. I ride. I understand. And I will fight for you like no one else can.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact me now for a free consultation. You can reach me directly through my website at www.bikerlawblog.com or www.thepersonalinjury.com.

Let me put my experience, knowledge, and passion as a fellow biker to work for you.

Ride safe. Ride smart. And if the worst happens—call the lawyer who rides like you.
Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
www.BikerLawBlog.com | www.ThePersonalInjury.com

The post The Devastating Effects of a Motorcycle Accident vs. a Car Accident – Why You Need a Biker Lawyer Who Rides Like You first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

For motorcycle riders across California, the open road is more than a means of transportation—it’s a way of life. But when the unthinkable happens and a motorcycle accident occurs, choosing the right attorney can make the difference between justice served and being left in the dust. That’s where Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez stands out—not only as an experienced personal injury attorney but also as a dedicated rider who has lived the biker lifestyle for over 50 years.

The Man Behind Biker Law Blog and Injuredbikers.com

Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez is the founder of the popular Biker Law Blog at https://bikerlawblog.com, a hub for motorcycle law, safety tips, and rider rights. He is also the force behind Injuredbikers.com (https://injuredbikers.com), a platform exclusively created to help injured motorcycle riders get the representation they deserve.

With a passion for both the law and motorcycles, Fernandez built his practice around the unique needs of motorcycle accident victims. Unlike generic personal injury firms, his approach is rooted in firsthand riding experience and an unwavering commitment to biker justice.

A Record of Success in California

Over nearly 28 years of legal practice, Norman Gregory Fernandez has handled thousands of personal injury cases in California. His experience spans motorcycle accidents, auto collisions, slip and falls, dog bites, and wrongful death cases. But what truly sets him apart is his 98% success rate in personal injury claims—a testament to his skill, determination, and dedication to his clients.

Fernandez has obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of injured clients. These aren’t just numbers—they represent real people who have been able to rebuild their lives after devastating injuries. For bikers, having someone who truly understands what they’re going through can make all the difference.

Riding for Over 50 Years

Before he was known as Biker Lawyer, Norman Gregory Fernandez was a biker. He has been riding motorcycles and two-wheeled motor vehicles for over five decades. From vintage Harleys to modern touring bikes, Fernandez is a lifelong rider who knows exactly what it’s like to be on two wheels in California traffic.

His deep understanding of motorcycles extends beyond just riding. He knows how bikes handle, how crashes typically occur, and how the road—and other drivers—pose risks to motorcyclists every day. This unique combination of legal and practical motorcycle knowledge gives him a huge advantage in litigation and negotiations.

Why Ordinary Personal Injury Attorneys Fall Short for Motorcycle Cases

Many accident victims think any personal injury lawyer will do. But when it comes to motorcycle accident cases, ordinary personal injury attorneys often miss critical details. Why?

• They don’t understand how bikes operate.
• They fail to appreciate the severity of injuries riders sustain.
• They overlook jury bias against motorcyclists.

Let’s face it: some jurors think riders are reckless. It takes an attorney who understands these biases to overcome them—someone who can explain to a jury that the rider wasn’t at fault, but the victim of another driver’s negligence.

Norman Gregory Fernandez does exactly that. As a biker himself, he connects with injured riders on a personal level, and he brings that authenticity into the courtroom. Jurors can tell he’s the real deal.

Not Just a Personal Injury Attorney—A Motorcycle Injury Expert

Attorney Fernandez isn’t just a seasoned litigator—he’s a motorcycle injury expert attorney. From accident reconstruction to helmet and gear analysis, he understands the science and strategy behind motorcycle cases. This expertise ensures that no detail is overlooked, and no insurance company lowball offer goes unchallenged.

Whether you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, road rash, or emotional trauma from your accident, Attorney Fernandez will fight for full and fair compensation—including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

Almost 28 Years of Legal Experience

Norman Gregory Fernandez brings nearly three decades of legal experience to every case. His in-depth knowledge of California personal injury law, court procedures, and insurance company tactics makes him a formidable advocate for injured motorcyclists.

His firm handles cases across all of California, from Los Angeles and San Diego to San Francisco and Sacramento. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident anywhere in the state, Fernandez and his team are ready to take your call.

The Right Choice for California Bikers

Motorcycle accidents can change lives in an instant. Don’t trust your case to a lawyer who doesn’t ride, who doesn’t understand the biker lifestyle, or who treats your claim like just another file on the desk.

With Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, you get:

• A fellow biker who truly understands you
• A proven track record of success
• A motorcycle-specific legal strategy
• Personal attention from start to finish

Whether you’ve been hit by a distracted driver, run off the road, or injured due to poor road conditions, Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez is the advocate you want in your corner.

Call or Click Today 800-816-1529

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. Visit https://injuredbikers.com to learn more or call the Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez for a free consultation. You’ll speak directly with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who rides—and who gets results.

The post Why Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez Is the Motorcycle Accident Attorney You Need first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, do not use an ordinary personal injury attorney. There are some important things you need to do in order to get the compensation that you deserve.

High performance motorcycles account for disproportionate number of accident insurance claims

High performance sport-style motorcycles account for a disproportionate number of accident insurance claims. Their designs, speeds, and weights make them more vulnerable to accidents.

Unlike passenger cars, motorcycles lack airbags, seatbelts, and metal frames. They also have less crash worthiness than other vehicles, making them more likely to be involved in an accident. In fact, the risk of a serious injury in a motorcycle crash is 27 times greater than that of a passenger car.

Motorcycle crashes are often traumatic, especially for the motorcyclist. In addition, they are much harder to stop than other types of accidents. If you have been in an accident, it is important to consult an attorney. They can help you navigate the complex court system and manage the compensation process.

It is important to remember that the value of your motorcycle accident case varies depending on the type of injury you have and how much your life has been affected. A good attorney will be able to help you determine the right amount of compensation for your situation.

Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage is inadequate for motorcycle accidents

If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s time to take action. You may be able to sue your insurance company and recover compensation for injuries you sustained. However, you must know the right information first.

Uninsured motorist coverage, or UIM, is a policy that compensates drivers and riders for damages incurred in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore the law and don’t carry sufficient insurance to cover their losses. This can leave victims with medical bills and wages to pay off.

In California, the law requires that all motorists have at least $15,000 in liability coverage. While this might be adequate for less serious accidents, it’s not always enough to cover the costs of more severe injuries.

You may be owed compensation for lost wages after a motorcycle accident

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in New York, you may be entitled to compensation. This depends on the extent of your injuries, your medical bills, and the amount of time you missed work. A lawyer can help you pursue compensation.

Generally, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you will be able to get compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. But the process can be complicated. You need an experienced attorney to help you navigate the legal system.

In addition to your own insurance company, you can also seek compensation from other parties. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will know the steps you need to take to make sure you receive the maximum compensation possible.

First, you need to determine who was at fault for the crash. An experienced motorcycle attorney will know how to identify the responsible party.

You may be owed compensation for punitive damages

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you’re entitled to compensation for damages. This includes pain and suffering and punitive damages. You can pursue these damages with the help of an experienced attorney.

The value of your claim is determined by several factors. They include the type of injury, the economic impact of the injuries, and whether or not your injuries will prevent you from working in the future.

In a motor vehicle accident, an at-fault party’s negligence is responsible for your injuries. For example, if the at-fault party fails to stop at a traffic light, you may be able to claim punitive damages.

There are two types of damages: economic and non-economic. These types of damages are also referred to as special and general damages. Often, an attorney needs to seek the services of experts to determine the causes of the accident.

Get medical help after a motorcycle accident

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to get medical help right away. The right treatment can prevent serious injuries and set you on the path to recovery. However, if you wait too long, you may suffer from delayed symptoms, which can make your recovery longer and more painful.

To get medical help after a motorcycle accident, call 9-1-1 and describe the details of your accident to the dispatcher. They will send an EMT to the scene and take note of the circumstances of your crash.

Your doctor will evaluate your condition and make recommendations about how to recover. He or she may also refer you to other medical providers. For example, you may need to see an orthopedic doctor.

Motorcycle accidents can cause multiple serious traumatic injuries. These can range from broken bones to traumatic brain injury. Some of these are obvious and others may be less visible.

By California Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez
www.injuredbikers.com

The post Do Not Use an Ordinary Personal Injury Attorney for a Motorcycle Accident first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

The worst possible scenario has happened. You are out with your friends having a great day riding your motorcycles, you are in a pack, next thing you know, some idiot in a car cuts into your lane and takes you out.

Next thing you know you’re lying on the pavement, in a state of shock with people standing over you, asking if you’re okay, telling you not to move. You ask, “how is my motorcycle,” something almost every down motorcycle rider asks after an accident.

Next thing you know you are in an ambulance on the way to a trauma center, you are in pain, you are scared, you ask how bad you are hurt, but the paramedic simply tells you to stay calm and everything will be okay.

Thousands of motorcycle riders each year face this same scenario. Most motorcycle accidents result in severe to catastrophic injuries. Many motorcycle accidents result in relatively minor injuries compared to those who have suffered catastrophic injuries. However most relatively minor injuries for motorcycle riders are not the same as for victims of car accidents.

A relatively minor motorcycle accident might involve having road rash and a jacked-up knee, arm, shoulder or something like that. I have handled hundreds of motorcycle accident cases, and it is very rare that there will be minor injuries like what you can expect in a rear end or small impact car accident.

Before 2010, there were just a few of us real motorcycle accident lawyers advertising for motorcycle cases in California, who specialize in motorcycle accident cases.

Now let me get one thing straight, the California State Bar has certain specialties where attorneys with a minimum amount of practice time, can take a special test, and become a certified specialist pursuant to the California State Bar. The California State Bar does not certify personal injury, or motorcycle accident cases as a State Bar certified specialty. So, when I talk about specialize in motorcycle cases, I am not talking about State Bar certified specialty. What I am talking about is someone who has an expertise in a certain area of personal injury.

Someone like me who specializes in motorcycle cases, not only handles a ton of motorcycle cases, but they are also experts in all aspects of motorcycle accident cases. I have been riding motorcycles since I was a kid. I started riding Street motorcycles legally on the street at 17 years old and have ridden all types of motorcycles on the street.

No matter what you are told, there is no way a generic personal injury attorney advertising for motorcycle accident cases, will be able to argue a motorcycle accident case, unless they are experts at riding motorcycles. It’s just not possible because without the first-hand expertise of starting a motorcycle, dressing for the ride, starting from a dead stop, shifting gears, riding in city traffic, freeway traffic, mountain roads, etc., you have no idea from a first-person perspective what a motorcycle rider faces. Therefore, there is no way you can be as good as an attorney who rides motorcycles, it’s as simple as that.

Imagine hiring an attorney for a car accident case, who does not drive cars. How is the car accident attorney supposed to understand what happened in the car accident, without having a perspective of being an expert car operator.

You may be able to fake it in court, and try to imagine what it’s like to be able to drive cars if you cannot drive a car, but the jury is pretty smart and they will know you are faking it.

It’s the same thing with motorcycles, but even more complicated because with motorcycles there are no extra layers between the motorcycle rider other than what they are wearing, and the road. The only way to know how that feels is to actually be a motorcycle rider.

I’ve discussed this many times before, there is also a certain prejudice against motorcycle riders by not only law enforcement, but by the general public, and jurors. Many of them think that riding motorcycles is a dangerous activity, and motorcycle riders taking the risk, should bear the responsibility of what happens to them.

It takes an expert to be able to cut through the prejudice and get the motorcycle rider what they are entitled to in court.

I am an expert in motorcycle accident cases. I have been riding motorcycles for over 40 years. I have handled countless motorcycle accident cases. I am not a poser pretending to be a motorcycle rider.

I will tell you flat out that there are fake poser attorneys all over the place in California, having their picture taken next to motorcycles, claiming to be motorcycle attorneys, who have never ridden a motorcycle, or maybe have ridden a motorcycle once or twice in their life. I am among one of the original few motorcycle attorneys in the state of California that existed before 2010.

The American Bar Association asked me to give a speech at their 2010 convention about my motorcycle accident practice. The actual speech I gave is actually on the Internet and it is kind of an embarrassment to me. After that speech where I told the attorneys in the audience to pick something they like and apply it to their law practice. Instead, the American Bar Association put the speech on the Internet, and every Tom Dick and Harry rather than take their own hobby and apply their practice to it, instead claimed to now handle motorcycle accident cases because they saw my speech as a marketing niche for them. They totally missed the point of my speech. I actually created a bunch of competition for myself by giving that speech. I wish I could take it back, because unfortunately many motorcycle riders out there have been suckered into signing up with these guys. It’s most probable that they did not get the settlement or judgment they should have gotten because they were with an attorney that wasn’t an expert motorcycle attorney.

As I have stated in previous articles you will see a couple of big firms advertising all over motorcycle rallies, motorcycle publications, and at motorcycle venues. They have hot young paid models at their booths. They give out trinkets, promise roadside assistance, etc. They are all just big marketing outfits. A couple that I know of simply either farm cases out to regular attorneys in return for a referral fee, or they charge regular attorneys for a geographic region for advertising purposes. Do you really want to put your life in the hands of one of these marketing outfits? Would not it be better for you to have an expert motorcycle attorney on your side that you can count on?

Giving out trinkets that cost a couple of bucks does not make you an expert motorcycle accident lawyer. Stating you provide roadside assistance should be left to the experts like AAA Roadside Assistance who you know for sure will take care of you when you need help. Why would a motorcycle accident attorney be trying to lure clients by purporting to give out roadside assistance. Why don’t they make french fries and juggle as well. A real expert motorcycle accident attorney does not need to hire models and put on a carnival show at events and venues.

I have never put up a booth at a rally or venue, nor do I need to advertise in Biker and Motorcycle Publications. I am known all over California for my Motorcycle accident expertise, and the riders come to me through word of mouth through the biker community. I think it is bad Karma to advertise like the other outfits do, it kind of makes me sick.

My name is California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, and I am an expert in handling motorcycle accident cases. I am the founder of injuredbikers.com, and my firm if we believe we can help you, will give you the best possible representation on your case by an actual motorcycle rider who is an expert in motorcycle accident cases, and personal injury.

We will help get you medical attention if you don’t have medical insurance, even if you do have medical insurance, we will help get your motorcycle fixed or replaced, we will get you compensation for your loss of wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and loss of consortium for your spouses if you’re married.

Many of you may not know what the damages I mentioned above mean. Call me at 800-816-1529 and you will get to talk to me personally, and I will explain everything to you.

You’re not going to talk to a paralegal, you’re not going to talk to a non-attorney case manager, you’re not going to talk to a legal assistant, the consultation will be done by me, and I will direct all aspects of your case. If we go to trial, I will be the one that does the trial.

Check out some of the pictures on this site, my Motorcycle and Biker experience is all over the place and is not like some poser who does not ride posing next to a motorcycle to con you in to thinking he or she rides.

For motorcycle accident riders whose life is on the line unlike minor car accident victims, it is critical you pick the right attorney. We do not play games in my office, we are real bikers who specialize in motorcycle accidents, and we are experts at what we do. I am a top rated nationally recognized lawyer.

God forbid if you’re in an accident either as a rider of a motorcycle, or a passenger on a motorcycle, give us a call at 800-816-1529, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we will give you a free consultation. Most of our clients are jacked up. We can sign you up electronically anywhere in the state seven days a week 24 hours a day. You will get an account on our client portal system so that you can send and receive secure messages to us, upload and download case documents, and more. We are one of the few law firms that offer this service to our clients in the nation. We are a modern law firm, and we are mean and lean. We know that you are hurt so everything is done to make life easier for you.

When you pick biker lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez to handle your motorcycle accident case, the only thing you will have to worry about is getting better, telling us where the bike is so that we can have an adjuster come out and take a look at it, letting us know when you’re better, and cooperating with us when we are fighting for you. We make it easier for you to go on with your life as we prosecute your case. At the end of the case, we try to get you as much money as possible.

Hopefully we will not hear from you which means that you are safe and not in a motorcycle accident. But if you are in a motorcycle accident call us now at 800-816-1529.

By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., December 22, 2019.

The post You have had a motorcycle accident; which attorney are you going to pick? By California motorcycle accident lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

As a motorcycle accident and a personal injury attorney, I run across people all the time who just want to pick my brain for information thinking that they will try to handle their personal injury or motorcycle accident case without an attorney. I always think to myself, “what an idiot.”

First off, I can pretty much tell when somebody wants to retain an attorney as opposed to when someone just wants to pick my brain for information.

Let’s say you need an appendectomy or knee surgery; would you try to do the surgery on yourself? Of course not. What makes you think you can handle a complex motorcycle accident case, or a personal injury case on your own? We attorneys are Juris Doctors, who have gone to Law School for 3 to 4 year, then passed the hardest Bar exam in the nation and then specialize in different areas of the law just like medical doctors specializing in different areas of medicine. Attorneys who specialize in personal injury and let’s a motorcycle accident cases are different from attorneys who specialize in real estate.

Personal injury law is a highly complex area of the law which is not something that you can just willy-nilly do a Google search on and figure out without a high degree of education and training. The insurance company will never take you seriously, and when you approach them without an attorney,  they will know they have a sucker on the hook when you call them without an attorney.

Everything you say can and will be used against you in your case. You can completely blow your case and not even know it by talking to the insurance company on your own.

In almost every instance you will get more money with a personal injury attorney than trying to handle a case on your own. Don’t be a fool, get a lawyer on your personal injury, motorcycle accident case, or other injury case.

We at the law offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez are here to help you on your personal injury or motorcycle accident case you may call us anytime at 800-816-1529. You may go to our personal injury website at www.thepersonalinjury.com . If you had a motorcycle accident you may call us at 800-816-1529, or you may go to our website at www.injuredbikers.com .

By California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.

The post Don’t Be the Fool Who Tries to Represent Themselves in A Personal Injury Case first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

This is a guest post from law writer Sabrina Wright.

You’re used to driving late at night, even if you’ve had drinks with your friends. This has been your routine for years. No matter how drunk you are, you would always choose to drive home because, for you, you’d always want to sleep in the comfort of your own bed. And you’re never worried about getting into any accidents because in your defense, you’ve been doing this for years and nothing bad has happened to you. You’re still in one piece. You’re a grown man, and you believe you can still manage yourself while you’re on the road. And since nothing bad has happened to you in the past while you’re drink driving, you decided to continue doing your ways. But are you actually waiting for an accident before you change your mindset? Or are you forgetting that you’re also putting your health at risk whenever you drink drive?

Your life is the biggest thing you can lose once you drink and drive. This is common knowledge to everyone (hopefully including you). However, although you might not die immediately once you drink and drive, your health is adversely affected in the process. And the effects might not be visible in weeks or even in years but before you know it, your body may not be functioning well because you’re frequently drink driving. To create a clearer picture in your head, here are the real risks of drink driving to your health:

Your eyesight will be affected: If you’ve been drunk many times, you might have felt that sensation of not being able to stand straight because everything you’re seeing seems to be tilting to one side. And seeing this makes you dizzy.

• No, you don’t have to visit your favorite ophthalmologist for a new set of glasses because your eyesight is not totally at fault why situations like these happen. You’re feeling this way because of alcohol. Aside from feeling dizzy, you’ll also have slower pupil reaction times which can become an issue as you’ll not be able to adapt to oncoming headlights while on the road.
• You need your eyes to be alert while you’re on the road to determine if there are vehicles ahead or behind you, or if pedestrians are crossing the street. Once you’re not able to see these on your way, you could be involved in fatal accidents.
• One of the long-term effects of alcohol to your eyesight is decreased vision due to vitamin deficiency. If you drink too much too often, your liver loses the ability to absorb the vitamins needed for your eyesight. You can end up with night blindness or paralysis of the eye muscles.

Your hearing will be affected: Similar to the importance of your eyesight, your sense of hearing is also required when you’re behind the wheel. How else will you know that a car is planning to overtake your vehicle if you can’t hear it honk?

• There’s a reason why you’re not allowed to wear your favorite iPod headphones while you’re on the road – so you can be aware of what’s around you to make better decisions while driving. If you can hear a vehicle’s honk as it’s planning to approach an intersection, you’ll be able to make a complete stop and make way for that vehicle.
• But if you’re not able to listen attentively to these warnings, you won’t know what will happen next. And the effects that this has on you, and surrounding traffic, could be detrimental.
• Permanent hearing loss is one of the long-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption. This happens because alcohol can damage your inner ear hair cells which are responsible for translating sounds from your ear to your brain. You’ll be able to act accordingly based on the things you hear.

Your brain will be affected: Your brain is in charge of everything that you say and do. Without it, you’ll not be able to do anything at all. Similarly, your eyesight and hearing will be useless if your brain can’t process the information it’s getting.

• Sure, you might see a pedestrian coming to your direction, but once your brain can’t process this information, you might not be able to step on the brakes on time. Your foot-eye coordination might be hindered for you to do anything.
• If alcohol is already in your system, you’ll lose the concentration and ability to think while you’re on the road. And these things are important to ensure your safety. You need to focus on what’s on the road, and you should be able to make decisions immediately whenever problems arise while you’re driving.
• ou don’t want to blackout when you’re faced with a very stressful situation while driving. Unfortunately, this can happen if you’re always intoxicated. You can blackout and lose control of the wheel.

The risks of drink driving to your health should be reasons enough for you to change your mindset on what you think is right. Yes, you might get at home after a night out, but that doesn’t outweigh the risks – you don’t know what can happen on the road and the chances of you, getting any long-term illnesses are gradually increasing. Nothing good can come from either of those, right? Instead of driving when you’re drunk, consider asking a friend to drive you home or stay in a nearby hotel. Your life and safety should always be your priority, no matter what the situation is.

Sabrina Wright

Sabrina Wright is a vibrant young law writer currently writing her next big project. Her modern outlook on the law field is reflected on her informative pieces. Sabrina loves cooking and often invites her friends over for barbecue.

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The post Drunk Driving and Your Health: What Are The Real Risks first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez at age 16, before going surfing

Here it is March 13, 2013, and it has been a while since I posted my last article here on the Biker Law Blog.

I have moved to Huntington Beach.

My phone number and fax number are the same, 800-816-1529.

So whether your case originates in San Francisco, Eureka, Redding, Sacramento, or San Diego, my firm will handle your case.

We handle the entire State of California. We welcome all of our new and existing clients to the new law firm. We look forward to kicking ass for you on your cases.

I think I have what most would call one of the most high tech law firms in the nation. The technology we have employed at our firm is mind blowing.

I am a Southern California native, but I have lived in many places during my life. I would say that the move to Orange County for me will be permanent, in that I cannot see living anywhere else.

I love Huntington Beach. I have taken up walking on the pier each night around sunset, the people are great, the lifestyle is fantastic, and the motorcycle riding is good as well.

When I was younger, I used to surf. As a matter of fact, as a teenager I lived at the beach. I learned to surf at Topanga, my home beach was Zuma. Back then, the wave break was much different at Zuma and Point Dume, then it is now.

Believe it or not, I just bought a brand new 9’ Greco Longboard surfboard. It will be delivered this Friday. I got a new full wetsuit to go along with it. Hell, at 49 who says you are too old to start surfing again. I figure a longboard, will help me to ease back into it, and on those days with a small surf, I will be catching waves while the guys on short boards will be watching me ride. I figure if I start surfing each morning at 5am, I can still get to the office easily by 9am.

I wonder if they make a surfboard rack for a Harley Davidson. Once I get used to surfing again, I will have a custom Harley Davidson themed surfboard made for me.

So there it is. As you can imagine, I am swamped with work right now. As I type this article, I have spent the last 4 days out of 5 days in Court. I am still at the office catching up. Nonetheless I wanted to let you all know what is going on.

Looking forward to the Laughlin Biker Rally coming up next month. This will first year I take “Bessie,” my motorhome, (the same one I rode around the country with) to a major motorcycle rally this year.

I hope you are all well.

By California Biker Lawyer and Motorcycle Accident Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, © March 13, 2013

The post Getting settled in to the O.C. lifestyle. first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

Taking your life in your hands at California Indian Casinos

As a California Personal Injury Lawyer I feel I have a duty to inform all about California consumers lack of any real legal remedy if you suffer a Personal Injury at anyone of California’s numerous Indian Casinos.

If you have been the victim of a Personal Injury, or if you suffer a Slip and fall at an Indian Casino, you may have a potential court case, you may have a claim that will be headed to the tribal council, you may have a case that will go to private arbitration, you may have a case that will be determined by a private insurance company claims adjuster, or maybe you have a case that will literally give you no legal remedy.

Just 14 years after Gov. Pete Wilson signed the first compact with a tribe allowing Las Vegas-style slot machines in California, personal injury and property damage consumer protections in Indian casinos are all over the place respect to consumer rights and remedies in personal injury cases.

Every one of the 56 Class III gaming tribes within the State of California features its own specific tort liability ordinance spelling out how it will process personal injury cases.

The California State Bureau of Gambling Control states that many tribes authorize risk managers or their insurance companies to decide a claim’s validity. Some allow patrons to appeal case denials to tribal courts or to councils of tribal elders. Some others will take disputes to arbitration. Almost all do not recognize a role for California’s trial courts.

Each Indian Tribe is basic its own sovereign government. They do not have to follow California law on personal injury and most if not all don’t.

Due to this problem there are very few of us California Personal Injury Lawyers that will take on Personal Injury cases that occur on Indian Casinos.

I myself reject the vast majority of cases that come to me involving Indian Casinos, because without a standardized arbitration ordinance or something to that affect, they are too much of a hassle to deal with.

I have heard stories of Indian Casino cases taking many months or even years to get resolved, much longer than cases in the normal California court system. Many of the elderly victims who are claimants in these cases either give up or die before having their cases resolved.

Another issue with Indian Casino cases is that the people being sued are also the ones who are deciding the merits of the case. It is analogous to suing a Judge and then having that same Judge determine the outcome of the case in which he is being sued. How you do think that is going to turn out?

Appeals Courts have rejected Indian Casinos being sued in State Court stating that sovereign immunity precluded it from being sued in State Court.

What is bizarre to me is that the State of California negotiated compacts with the Indian Casinos allowing them to place Las Vegas style slot machines in the casinos, yet they did not provide a standard legal path for patrons of these casinos to take if they are injured within the Indian Casino.

I myself think it is time to either re-negotiate these compacts, or boycott the Casinos until the Indian Tribes themselves agree to standardized legal remedies for persons injured at their casinos.

I am calling on all California Indian Casinos to come sit at a table and discuss this situation so that a resolution can be reached to ensure California consumers that they are safe at your establishments.

By California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © May 18, 2012

The post BEWARE; You take your life in your hands at most California Indian Casinos first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

I have noticed a marked increase of persons contacting me to get advice on how they can represent themselves in their own personal injury case.

Some of these winners get on websites that allow consumers to ask questions of attorneys, then they go and try to handle cases on their own without an attorney.

Do these people realize why we personal injury attorneys exist? We exist because for profit insurance companies will simply not give you what you are entitled to 99.9% of the time without an attorney.

The first thing they teach us lawyers in law school is never to represent yourself in a legal matter because you are emotionally biased, and the emotions will adversely affect your ability to handle the case. It is always best to have an independent person represent you in a case.

Aside from the emotional aspects of representing yourself, do these people who want to play attorney and that try to represent themselves realize how complicated a real personal injury case is? Of course not they don’t. It would be close to impossible for an untrained person on their own, to prosecute a personal injury case through the court system without an attorney.

I have been practicing 15 years and I can assure you that I have seen some lawyers who need to go back to school, let alone an untrained person actually doing it.

Personal Injury cases are complicated and no self-help book is going to give you the knowledge you need to handle one of these cases.

I see non-lawyers in Court all of the time getting hammered by Judges and getting sent packing because they did not do their cases right. In some instances non-lawyers get dinged with monetary sanctions against them because they do not know the law.

Then there is the matter of the cheapskates. These are winners who figure in their mind, hell; I am not going to give an attorney a third of my case, so I will take all of the ,000 the insurance company is going to give me.

They don’t realize that their case might in fact be worth ,000 to ,000, and even on the low end, they would have got two thirds of ,000 or ,675 with an attorney, as opposed to the ,000 they got sucked into accepting by the insurance company.

One of my sayings is that it is better to get two thirds of something instead of all of nothing.

To me this is plain stupidity, and there is a lot of it out there lately.

It does not make sense to me why a person would try to handle their own personal injury case without an attorney, when an attorney like me can be retained with no money out of your pocket whatsoever until a recovery is obtained.

The insurance companies are constantly on the lookout for idiots who will accept the half payment of medical bills, or a token 1k to 2k to settle a case that might be worth tens of thousands of dollars, without an attorney.

Any insurance adjuster worth their weight in gold, loves talking to the stupid amongst us who for whatever reason, does not mind screwing themselves out of what they are entitled to by not retaining a personal injury attorney like me.

Don’t be stupid, if you have been injured due to the negligence of another call an attorney, heck, call me.

If you or your family has been injured anywhere in the State of California, you may contact our law firm for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 ext. 1, or submit your case through our website at http://thepersonalinjury.com

California Personal Injury Attorney Website

The post An Epidemic of Stupidity first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

California Accident App Icon

The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates is proud to introduce our new California Accident App ™ for the iPhone, iPod, and iPad, and for Android Phones Tablets, and devices.

Best of all it is FREE for all users worldwide.

Our California Accident App™ is available on Apple iTunes by clicking here, and on the new Google Play Market (replacement for the Android Marketplace) by clicking here.

We developed this mobile application to assist all California drivers in the event that should be in a car, motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident. The California Accident App can also be used in Slip and Falls, and other California Personal Injury cases.

Here is a description of the California Accident App™ right from iTunes and Google:

Why download the California Accident App™?

The California Accident Application™ is one of those things you don’t think you will ever need, until you do. And when you do, you’ll be glad you took a few seconds to download it. the California Accident App provides straightforward to-do’s, fact and evidence gathering tools to ensure you or your loved one are informed and protected when moving vehicle accidents happen. None of us like to think about it, but car accidents do happen.

Here are some screen shots, click on each image to see a bigger image:

California Accident App™ features:

– Camera, video recorder and text notepad provide all you will need to record all of the pertinent data about any moving vehicle accident.
– Invaluable FAQ section containing important information about the appropriate procedures to prepare for and handle any moving vehicle accident.
– Time saving forms to clearly collect accident information from the other parties (drivers, witnesses, passengers etc.)
– Automatic GPS locator which aides in recording critical accident facts like traffic patterns and driving conditions.
– Emergency Services Locator.

Here are the QR Codes to help you find our California Accident App easier:

QR code for the California Accident App on iTunes for Apple Products

QR code for the California Accident App on the Google Android Play market for Android devices

By motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident. The California Accident App can also be used in Slip and Falls, and other California Personal Injury cases. Here is a description of the California Accident App™ right from iTunes and Google: Why download the California Accident App™? The California Accident Application™ is one of those things you don’t think you will ever need, until you do. And when you do, you’ll be glad you took a few seconds to download it. the California Accident App provides straightforward to-do’s, fact and evidence gathering tools to ensure you or your loved one are informed and protected when moving vehicle accidents happen. None of us like to think about it, but car accidents do happen. California Accident App™ features: – Camera, video recorder and text notepad provide all you will need to record all of the pertinent data about any moving vehicle accident. – Invaluable FAQ section containing important information about the appropriate procedures to prepare for and handle any moving vehicle accident. – Time saving forms to clearly collect accident information from the other parties (drivers, witnesses, passengers etc.) – Automatic GPS locator which aides in recording critical accident facts like traffic patterns and driving conditions. – Emergency Services Locator. Go ahead and install the California Accident App™ on your mobile device now, and hopefully you will never need to use it. However, if you do, remember the logo and use it. By California Accident App™ Developer, California Personal Injury Law Firm, The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates ” href=”http://www.thepersonalinjury.com”>California Accident App™ Developer, California Personal Injury Law Firm, The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates

The post Introducing our new California Accident App first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

California Pink slip and tear off change of ownership form sample

A common issue that is brought to my attention over and over again to such an extent that it is almost routine is the following scenario;

A person sells a car to another person, and that person gets into a car accident, commits a crime, or incurs a massive amount of parking tickets, before the person who sold the car notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the sale or giveaway, or before the new owner registers the car in their name, and they are now getting sued, or having law or parking enforcement coming after them as though they were the responsible party.

I literally get at least 5 calls a week with this exact same scenario.

In the State of California you MUST notify the DMV within 5 days when you sale or transfer ownership of your vehicle.

I am not going to discuss what you need to do if you screwed up and are in this nightmare scenario because it is situation specific.

What I will tell you is this; in the State of California, and I assume other States as well, there is an attachment sheet that is connected to your Certificate of Vehicle Title (Pink Slip) that is to be torn off only upon selling or giving away the car, filled out, and sent to the DMV to notify them that you have sold or given away your car.

The simple act of filling out this form and sending it to the DMV can and will save you a lot of time, hassle, and potentially tens of thousands of dollars.

This is not rocket science folks. You have to assume the person that you are selling or giving the vehicle to may not change the title in their name, thus leaving you on the hook.

Another thing I recommend is creating a bill of sale, or a giveaway agreement that the new owner signs upon receiving the car and the pink slip, which will give you further proof that you sold or gave away your vehicle.

If for some reason you lost the sheet that is attached to the Pink Slip, the DMV has an online system that is available here, to notify them of the change in ownership.

Don’t be a fool, when you sale or change ownership of your vehicle, notify the DMV or it could cost you big time.

If you or your family have been the victim of a truck crash, car crash, or other motor vehicle accident anywhere in California call us for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1, or go to http://www.thepersonalinjury.com.

By California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, © April 25, 2012

The post Make Sure you Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if You Sell or Give Away your Car, Motorcycle, or other Motor Vehicle or You could Los Big Time first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

 ** December 19, 2011 Update: I regret to inform you that David Landowski the rider of  the motorcyle, age 53, died of his injuries Sunday night. May he rest in peace.

The following news was reported today as a short blurb in the press.

Northridge – California A motorcyclist suffered severe injuries during a two-vehicle crash in Northridge, California police said today.

The traffic accident occurred about 6 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Lindley Avenue and Rayen Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division.

According to police, Charles Giarratana, 62, driving a red Ford Explorer northbound on Lindley Avenue made a left turn onto Rayen Street where he struck David Landowski, 53, who was going southbound on Lindley Avenue on a white and purple-colored KTM 620SX motorcycle.

Landowski, a resident of Canyon Country, was transported to an area hospital with severe injuries. It was not immediately known if Giarratana, a resident of Reseda, was cited or arrested. Anyone who saw the traffic crash was asked to call the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8036.

The only people who would probably read and care about news such as this are people that ride motorcycles, their friends and family, and the people in the article.

It is doubtful that average people would even read let alone care about a man on a motorcycle being hit by a negligent idiot in an SUV.

For me, a California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and an actual motorcycle rider, this article brings forth many thoughts.

The vast majority of motorcycle accidents on city streets are caused by some idiot making left turns in front of or into a motorcycle rider because they do not look for motorcyclist, they do not see the motorcyclist, or they think they can beat the motorcyclist before they turn.

The innocent motorcyclist may not even see the negligent driver making the left turn until they are right in front of them, or not at all.

Their life is changed in an instant.

I wonder if David Landowski riding his KTM 620SX motorcycle saw Charles Giarratna turning before he hit him? I wonder if Charles Giarratna has any clue what damage he has caused to the life of David Landowski simply because he did not look before he made the turn, or tried to turn before David rode past him?

Either way one thing is certain, David Landowski’s life will never be the same again.

The newspaper article stated that David Landowski was transported to the hospital with severe injuries. I pray for him and his family that he will survive. If he does survive he will probably suffer months or even years of excruciating pain, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress, not to mention loss of income, a career, or a job, tremendous medical bills, and maybe not ever being able to return to a normal life.

Some riders such as David will never be able to ride a motorcycle again, some lose limbs, some suffer permanent debilitating injuries, and some never recover.

So the next time you read a little news blurb about some idiot making a left hand turn in front of a motorcycle rider and hitting him or causing the motorcycle rider to hit the car or truck because the car turned in front of the motorcycle, think about the fact that the motorcycle rider’s life was changed in an instant.

There is tremendous human pain and suffering, support to family lost, and life’s irreparably harmed in such little news blurbs.

The next time you are out riding in your car, SUV, truck, etc., look for us motorcycle riders. You do not want to have the thought of destroying someone’s life on your conscious.

By Biker Lawyer and California Motorcycle Accident Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © December 17, 2011

The post A Life Changed in an Instant, the anatomy of a Motorcycle Accident first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

California Motorcycle Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Photo courtesy of the American Bar Association Journal, and photographer David Newhardt

Well with Palm Springs American Heat I have finally had enough with what I think is a disgusting advertising practice by what in my opinion are bottom feeder personal injury lawyers.

In Palm Springs a certain so-called Biker Lawyer group had some scantily clad young girls aggressively coming up to people who were walking by saying that they worked for a lawyer who actually rides, as they tried to force feed passerby’s their business cards, and cheap novelties and trinkets.

I told the girls who came up to me, “Sorry, I am a Biker Lawyer who actually rides.” They kind of had a shocked look on their faces.

You see, I actually ride to many motorcycle events all over the nation. This year was no different.

All of a sudden there are a certain group of the same personal injury lawyers showing up at events calling themselves “Biker Lawyer” and  “Lawyers that ride” at motorcycle events.

To me a Biker Lawyer and a Lawyer that rides, is someone like me who is a lawyer and who also is a biker that rides motorcyles. It is a real simple concept, not some bullshit marketing slogan!

I think that I may have been the first Biker Lawyer to coin that term back in 1997 or so, because I am a lawyer who really rides. Once I started putting it out there on my website and on my blog, all of a sudden I saw other lawyers claiming the same thing.

Well now all of a sudden there are groups of lawyers showing up at motorcycle events all claiming to be “lawyers that really ride.”

It is not that I do not mind competition, hell I think it would be great to find a group of lawyers that actually ride motorcycles, hell I would like to go ride with them and make some new friends.

But what I really think is going on is a marketing gimmick aimed at bikers, and the way I see it, showing up at a motorcycle rally with a booth telling people if they crash their motorcycles, to call them, is disgusting and despicable to me.

In two words it is “Bad Karma.”

At the Las Vegas biker rally a few weeks ago, as we were walking by one of these booths, some guy sitting on his ass in the booth looked at my wife’s hat and said in a smart ass way, “who is the biker lawyer?” (The hat said Biker Lawyer, www.bikerlawyer.net on it) I told him I was. I also told him that I don’t sit at booths at motorcycle rallies; I actually ride to the rallies.

He had a stunned look on his face because I was actually in my biker garb because; yes I was riding, unlike him.

Curious about what it actually takes to be a Biker Lawyer with one of these organizations that has started up in the last couple of years I believe; I contacted one who I think was based in Arizona if I am not mistaken. They sent me a bunch of literature. At the time I contacted them, they had some firm based in San Diego as their only California firm.

In researching them, I saw no indication whatsoever that anyone from the firm listed for California at the time rode motorcycles. Matter of fact, I never even heard of them! Now it could be that someone from that firm actually rode motorcycles, it all seemed fishy to me.

Basically, I was told that if you pay at the time I contacted them, approximately 10k or so yearly fee to the organization I am referring to, you can be a Biker Lawyer with their group.

They would advertise for cases for you, and send you the cases in your territory. Very interesting!

Now the casual person looking at this group would think that it is all the same organization. Well it is not. It is a marketing vehicle that attorneys pay to be a part of.

Nowhere on the application did it ask if you actually ride motorcycles. Further, they hold themselves out to be Lawyers that really ride.

I think this practice is very misleading. I think consumers and bikers should be notified that lawyers pay a fee to be a part of this organization, and I think each of their lawyers should actually ride if they are going to advertise that they are lawyers who ride!

My next question is that most States require you to be licensed in that particular State to practice law in that State. You can apply to represent an individual in Court on a one or two time basis if you are an out of state lawyer, however, you cannot do it all the time.

So I wondered, how do the now 3-5 groups of lawyers that show up at all of the biker rallies, and that advertise in all of the biker rags, actually practice law in all 50 states legally.

The answer is that they cannot. It appears to me that these groups of lawyers that are advertising nationwide either have some kind of fee splitting deal going on with lawyers in the different States so the main lawyer will advertise and get cases for them, and then they will share the attorneys fee with the guy in the State actually doing the case, or they have some kind of marketing scam going on, where the attorney pays a fee like the organization I contacted, and the main attorney will advertise, and then send cases to the lawyers who are paying their franchise fee.

I think this entire practice is misleading, and despicable.

I saw American Chopper last night where even another group that I have never heard of before has popped up. It appears to me to be another marketing setup where they have created a website to target nationwide the “niche” market of motorcycle riders.

After digging deep into their website, it looks like the main law firm sponsoring their “Biker law” marketing campaign is based in Pennsylvania, and they too are claiming that they are lawyers that ride. I have no clue how this site or law firm work, but again, unless they have attorneys licensed in each state, they too must have some kind of fee splitting or franchise type of deal going on.

They do not limit themselves to just one State on their website.

On the TV show, they had a guy who they represented to be an attorney come in and order a custom bike to honor the firefighters or something to that affect. Somewhere it stated that he was the “lead counsel” or “managing counsel” of the biker law end of the firm. What the hell does that mean?

Anyway, at the end of the show there were a bunch of people in t-shirts with the biker law website address on it.

I almost threw up. You got to admit these people are marketing geniuses. They get an hour of TV advertising for what looks to be new operation, and all they had to do is pay (probably overpay) for a custom chopper from Orange County Choppers.

In the end there sits us real bikers. What are we supposed to believe is true?

First, I think that no lawyer should be going to motorcycle events and advertising for motorcycle accident cases. People are at the events to have fun, not to have the fact that they could crash shoved down their throats by a bunch of marketing hacks.

Second, I think that all of these firms should be forced to disclose the truth about their organizations, i.e., whether they are a fee splitting shop, whether lawyers pay them to have cases sent to them, and who in fact is the real biker lawyer in their organization.

I personally know at least two major attorneys in the so-called biker lawyer nationwide marketing scam, and neither of them rides motorcycles. One of them even stated in the Los Angeles Times in an article that he does not ride; because he wants to see his grandkids grow up. The article featured one of their new associates who had just got a Sportser, who had ridden for less than 6 months. (This guy has since left and opened his own bike lawyer shop)

So here I sit a humble real California Biker Lawyer who actually rides motorcycles. I am the friggen real deal. I am not playing some marketing scam on my clients. They know what they are getting when they retain me.

If you are in California and want the real deal call me; 800-816-1529 x.1.

For the rest of you there is a saying; Caveat Emptor, which is Latin for let the buyer beware.

Finally, you can have a say so if you also don’t like these bottom feeders showing up at our motorcycle rallies, simply don’t call them if you have an accident.

With a little research you can find someone like me who actually ride’s and is not part of some marketing operation geared towards bikers!

By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney, and Biker Lawyer, Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2011

The post What is up with all these So-Called “Biker Lawyers” all of a Sudden showing up with Booths at All of the Motorcycle Events? first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

California Motorcycle Accident Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez

I am a Motorcycle Accident Attorney who handles motorcycle accident cases all over the State of California. Unlike all of the other lawyers out there advertising for motorcycle accident cases, I actually ride motorcycles.

I have a unique incite above all other lawyers who do not ride motorcycles because I am actually a biker like you.

I cannot tell you how sick and tired I am of getting a new motorcycle accident case, where my client has suffered catastrophic injuries, and the person at fault has minimum $15,000 coverage, no coverage, or coverage nowhere close to covering the damages in the accident.

Look let’s face it, we motorcycle riders are far more likely to be seriously injured or even killed in a motorcycle accident, then those who ride 4 wheel cars or trucks. Unlike the person in a car who has a metal cage around them, all we have is the helmet and clothes on our body to protect us. When we hit the ground at speed we tend to suffer more serious injuries.

It is smart and prudent for those of us who ride motorcycles to protect ourselves financially in case we are in an accident.

So you may ask how we protect ourselves financially in case we are in a motorcycle accident.

It is simple; we buy enough insurance to cover the risk of catastrophic injury in case we are in a motorcycle accident.

How do we buy the right insurance? It is simple, in California, most uninsured motorist coverage policies also cover under insured motorist as well. In other states or even California, you want to make sure you have uninsured motorist and under insured motorist coverage in an amount of no less than 0,000 dollars. I suggest that you have at least one million dollar uninsured motorist and under insured motorist coverage for motorcycle accidents.

Uninsured motorist coverage will cover you in case a person who is at fault in an accident has no insurance.

Under insured coverage, covers the difference between what the at fault driver insurance policy limits are and your coverage. It gives you the option of deciding how much coverage you will need.

I also suggest that you maintain high liability coverage limits as well (In case you are at fault) for your passenger in case you are in an accident where you are at fault.

Finally how do you cover yourself for an accident that you are at fault in? You can get comprehensive and collision coverage to cover your motorcycle, rental car coverage to cover your loss of use of your motorcycle, and medical payment coverage to cover your medical bills.

Most policies that I have seen only cover medical payments up to $10,000; however I am sure you can get more coverage depending upon how much you are willing to pay.

So there it is there are no more excuses for not enough insurance coverage to cover you in case you are in a motorcycle accident. Call your insurance agent and get yourself covered.

I do not want to find myself one day trying to explain to you why after you have suffered a million dollar injury, you will only get ,000 in your motorcycle accident, because the person who is at fault only has minimal coverage, and no assets to pay you a million dollar judgment.

Besides, if you do get a million dollar judgment against an at fault driver, all they have do to is go bankrupt to get rid of the debt to you. The right insurance is almost always the only way to protect yourself financially in a motorcycle accident case.

If you or your family have been the victim of a motorcycle crash, truck crash, car crash, or other motor vehicle accident anywhere in California call us for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1, or go to http://www.thepersonalinjury.com.

By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney, and Biker Lawyer, Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © September 18, 2011

The post How can you protect yourself financially if you have a Motorcycle Accident? first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.