Bakersfield Personal Injury Attorneys
Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Who
Fight Rider Bias
Insurers assume the biker was at fault. We don’t let them. We counter rider bias with accident reconstruction and hard evidence — and we make them pay for what they did. That’s the Valero difference.
“I was legally lane-splitting when a car suddenly swerved and hit me. The driver claimed I was reckless. Valero’s motorcycle crash attorney knew the law inside and out and proved I was within my rights. Thanks Kyle for protecting me when it felt like no one else would.”
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The Insurance Company Already Blames You
Whether you were carving the curves of Highway 178 through Kern River Canyon, running Highway 58, or cruising a back road in rural Kern County, the moment a driver pulls into your path your life can change in an instant. And the moment you file a claim, the insurance company starts looking for a way to call it your fault.
Adjusters know that some people assume every motorcyclist is reckless — and they use that bias to slash your payout. A Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer levels the playing field. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and the lasting harm this crash has caused. Call our injury attorneys today — your first consultation is free.
Results That Speak for Injured Riders
Catastrophic injuries demand a firm that won’t back down. Over 20 years, Valero Law Group has recovered more than $500 million for injured people across California — including results on the exact kinds of devastating, life-altering injuries that motorcycle riders suffer.
$5M
Brachial plexus injury
Brachial plexus injury in a motor-vehicle accident — the kind of nerve damage that can leave a rider with a permanently weakened arm.
$6.25M
Confidential settlement
Believed to be the largest personal-injury settlement in Kern County.
$4.4M
Neck injury
The insurer’s prior best offer was just $410,000. We did not settle. We recovered $4.4 million.
These results reflect the firm’s overall track record across personal-injury matters. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
Why Insurers Assume the Rider Was at Fault
Insurers often try to shift responsibility onto the motorcyclist to limit what they pay out for their own driver. They count on the stereotype that bikers are speed-demons weaving through traffic. But fault is determined by the evidence — not by what kind of vehicle you were riding.
We counter that bias head-on. We secure the police report, interview witnesses, preserve dash-cam and traffic-camera footage before it disappears, and bring in accident reconstruction experts when needed to show exactly how the crash happened and who caused it.
How We Prove the Driver Was Negligent
- Turning left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle with the right-of-way
- Changing lanes or merging directly into a rider they never saw
- Following too closely and rear-ending a motorcycle in traffic
- Running stop signs and red lights without ever spotting the rider
- Opening a car door into a motorcycle’s path (“dooring”)
- Speeding or distracted driving that leaves no time to react to a bike
California follows pure comparative negligence: even if an adjuster claims you share some blame, you can still recover damages — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. We make sure the insurer doesn’t pin more on you than you deserve.
California’s Motorcycle Laws — and How Insurers Twist Them
Two California laws come up in almost every motorcycle claim. Knowing them protects you from an adjuster who hopes you don’t.
Lane Splitting Is Legal
California is the only state that expressly authorizes lane splitting. Under California Vehicle Code §21658.1, a motorcyclist may legally ride between rows of stopped or moving vehicles traveling in the same direction. When an insurer claims lane splitting was automatically your fault, they are wrong — and we hold them to the law.
Helmets Are Required for Everyone
California Vehicle Code §27803 requires every rider and passenger to wear a U.S. DOT–compliant safety helmet. If you wore one, the insurer can’t use a helmet argument against you. Even if a helmet question arises, it does not erase the other driver’s responsibility for causing the crash.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Handle
A motorcycle gives a rider no metal cage, no airbags, and no seatbelt. When a driver causes a crash, the rider absorbs the impact directly — which is why even a moderate collision on Highway 58 or a rural Kern County road can cause devastating, permanent harm.
Road Rash & Deep Lacerations
When a rider hits the pavement, skin and muscle are ground away. Severe road rash can require skin grafts and leaves permanent scarring.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Even with a DOT helmet, the force of a crash can cause concussions and brain bleeds that change a person’s memory, mood, and ability to work.
Spinal Cord Damage
A high-speed impact can fracture vertebrae or sever the spinal cord, sometimes causing partial or permanent paralysis.
Complex Fractures
Riders absorb crash forces directly. Shattered legs, arms, wrists, and pelvises often need multiple surgeries and hardware.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt force can rupture or bruise internal organs. These injuries aren’t always obvious at the scene but can be life-threatening.
Nerve & Brachial Plexus Injuries
Being thrown from a bike can stretch or tear the nerves of the shoulder and arm, causing lasting weakness, numbness, or loss of use.
Severe injuries mean higher medical costs and higher claim values — and that is exactly where insurers fight hardest. See a doctor right away, document everything, and let us handle the company that’s trying to pay you less than you’re owed.
Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
A serious crash brings bills that don’t stop just because you can’t work or ride. California law lets injured motorcyclists recover two kinds of damages.
Economic Damages
Calculable, out-of-pocket losses you can prove with bills and records.
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospital bills
- Long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Motorcycle repair or replacement and gear
Non-Economic Damages
The human cost of your injuries — subjective, but very real.
- Pain and physical suffering
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring from road rash
- Psychological trauma and loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability and loss of independence
Why Injured Riders Choose Valero Law Group
We Fight Rider Bias
Insurers assume the biker was reckless. We use accident reconstruction and hard evidence to prove what really happened.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing up front. We only get paid when we recover money for you.
We Speak Spanish
Hablamos Español. You’ll always understand your case and your options.
Available 24/7
Day or night, a real person is here when you or your family need help.
We Come to You
Badly injured and can’t travel? We’ll meet you at home or in the hospital.
$500M+ Recovered
Over 20 years fighting for the injured, including the largest PI settlement in Kern County.
See What Our Clients Are Saying...
“The first time I came into the office they welcomed me like I was family, and made sure to go over the whole process slowly and with great detail. My experience with this law firm was truly incredible and I can guarantee any client who decides to hire them will see exactly what I experienced.”
Jacob D.
Auto Accident
“Valero injury law firm made me feel comfortable like family and answered my questions no matter how small. They are completely committed to making sure you are taken care of. They are honest, they communicate with you, and they treat you like family.”
Elizabeth M.
Auto Accident
“After searching for an attorney, they truly were the only ones that looked at me as a person not just an easy case. Any question, no matter how small was answered. Any missed call was quickly returned. Even though they have many clients I never felt like I was not a priority.”
Nathan J.
Personal Injury
Serving Riders Across Bakersfield & Kern County
From Highway 178 and the Kern River Canyon to Highway 58 and the rural roads of Kern County, we know the routes Bakersfield riders love — and where drivers fail to see them. We help injured motorcyclists across all of Kern County.
Local Office
(661) 426-817924/7 Line
(877) 639-8888Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Is lane splitting legal in California?
The insurance company says the accident was my fault because I ride a motorcycle. Is that true?
Do I have to wear a helmet to recover compensation in California?
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in California?
Why are motorcycle injuries usually so severe?
What does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
Sources: Cal. Veh. Code §21658.1 (lane splitting) · Cal. Veh. Code §27803 (helmet requirement) · Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §335.1 (2-year deadline).
Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash? Let’s Talk Today.
A skilled Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer will stand up to the bias, negotiate with the insurance company, and go to court if that’s what it takes to get you full value. Your first consultation is free. Call now: there are legal deadlines.
This page provides general information about California motorcycle accident law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed attorney.