This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Moreno Valley, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Cefali & Cefali represents injured riders and passengers throughout Moreno Valley and Riverside County, and you pay no fee unless we win. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation.
Motorcyclists face a problem most drivers never do: insurers and juries sometimes assume the rider was reckless. We push back on that bias with evidence. Whether you were hit on the 60 freeway, cut off by a left-turning driver on Perris Boulevard, or run off the road on Gilman Springs Road, we investigate the crash, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the full value of your claim.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Moreno Valley
The steps you take after a crash protect both your recovery and your claim. When you are able:
Get medical care right away. Riders often have injuries that are not obvious at the scene. Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley is a Level I trauma center.
Call the police. The Moreno Valley Police Department handles city streets, and the CHP covers the 60 and the 215. The report documents the scene and the other driver.
Photograph everything. Capture your bike, the other vehicle, skid marks, road conditions, and your injuries.
Keep your gear. Do not repair or throw out your helmet, jacket, or bike. They are evidence of how the crash happened.
Talk to a lawyer before the insurer. Adjusters may use a recorded statement to blame you. Get advice first.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers who fail to see or make room for riders. The most common causes include:
Left-turning drivers. A driver turns across the rider's path at an intersection, often saying they "never saw" the motorcycle.
Unsafe lane changes. Drivers merge into a rider without checking blind spots, a frequent problem on the 60 and the 215.
Distracted driving. Phone use and other distractions keep drivers from noticing a smaller vehicle. California Vehicle Code § 23123.5 bars holding a phone while driving.
Speeding and tailgating. A rear-end impact that would dent a car can throw a rider from the bike.
Dangerous road conditions. Potholes, gravel, and uneven pavement are far more dangerous on two wheels, and may make a public agency responsible.
California Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Claim
Insurance companies often try to blame riders using a misreading of the law. Here is what California law actually says:
Lane splitting is legal. California Vehicle Code § 21658.1 recognizes lane splitting. Riding between lanes does not automatically make you at fault. The question is whether you rode safely for the conditions. See our guide to California lane splitting law.
Helmets are required. Vehicle Code § 27803 requires all riders and passengers to wear a helmet. If you were not wearing one, you can still recover. An insurer would have to show that the lack of a helmet actually made your injuries worse.
Pure comparative negligence. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation, reduced by your share of fault. Being partly to blame never bars your claim.
Proving Fault in a Motorcycle Injury Claim
A motorcycle injury claim is built on negligence. To recover, we prove four things:
Duty. Every driver must watch for and share the road with motorcycles.
Breach. The driver broke that duty, for example by turning left in front of you or changing lanes without looking.
Causation. That breach caused the crash and your injuries.
Damages. You suffered real losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
To prove those elements, we gather the police report, witness statements, video from nearby businesses and intersections, and damage patterns on both vehicles. In disputed cases, accident reconstruction experts can show speed, sightlines, and exactly how the driver caused the crash.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Riders have no steel frame or airbags, so even a low-speed crash can cause serious harm. Common injuries include:
Traumatic brain injury. Even with a helmet, a traumatic brain injury can cause lasting memory, thinking, and mood problems.
Spinal cord injuries. These can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, or paralysis.
Fractures. Legs, arms, wrists, collarbones, and pelvis often break on impact with the vehicle or pavement.
Road rash and burns. Sliding on asphalt or contact with a hot exhaust can cause deep skin injuries that need grafting and leave permanent scars.
Internal injuries. Broken ribs, punctured lungs, and organ damage from blunt force can be life-threatening.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Motorcycle Accident
California law allows injured riders to recover three types of damages:
Economic damages: Medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity, and the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and gear.
Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages: Available under California Civil Code § 3294 only when the at-fault party acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, such as a drunk driver.
California does not cap pain and suffering in a motorcycle accident case. The only cap on those damages applies to medical malpractice claims. If a crash was fatal, the family may bring a wrongful death claim.
If the driver who hit you had little or no insurance, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may pay the difference. California's minimum liability limits are only $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, which rarely covers a serious motorcycle injury, so checking every available policy matters.
How Long Do You Have to File?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, and three years for property damage to your bike under § 338. If a city, county, or state agency is involved, for example over a dangerous road condition, you must file a government claim within six months. Cases that do not settle are filed in Riverside County Superior Court.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Helps
When you hire Cefali & Cefali, we take the legal work off your plate so you can focus on recovery. We:
Investigate the crash and preserve evidence before it disappears.
Push back when the insurer tries to blame you for riding a motorcycle.
Document your full losses, including future medical care and lost earning capacity.
Handle every call and letter from the insurance company.
Negotiate for a full settlement and file suit if the insurer will not pay fairly.
Contact a Moreno Valley Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle crash in Moreno Valley, we are ready to help. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (949) 325-7790 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Yes. California Vehicle Code § 21658.1 recognizes lane splitting. Riding between lanes does not automatically make a rider at fault. What matters is whether the rider was riding safely for the traffic and road conditions.
Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes. California requires helmets, but not wearing one does not bar your claim. The insurer would have to prove that the lack of a helmet actually caused or worsened your injuries, and even then your compensation is only reduced, not eliminated.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in California?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file an injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government agency is involved, you must file a claim within six months.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
California follows pure comparative negligence. You can still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, a rider found 20 percent at fault can still recover 80 percent of their damages.
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
Cefali & Cefali works on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. The first consultation is free.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
