Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Accident in Valley Glen?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq.

Local Valley Glen Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in Woodland Hills, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has built his practice representing injured clients from communities across the San Fernando Valley.

Determining who is liable for a motorcycle accident in Valley Glen is the single most important factor in your case. Liability determines who pays, how much you can recover, and how the insurance claim or lawsuit proceeds. In most motorcycle crashes on Victory Blvd, Oxnard St, Fulton Ave, and other Valley Glen roads, the liable party is another driver. But liability can extend to employers, government entities, and even vehicle manufacturers depending on the circumstances.

Driver Negligence on Valley Glen Roads

The majority of motorcycle accidents in Valley Glen are caused by another driver's negligence. The most common scenario involves a driver making a left turn across oncoming traffic and directly into the path of a motorcycle. This crash pattern is responsible for a substantial percentage of motorcycle accidents nationwide, and Valley Glen's busy intersections, particularly along Victory Blvd and Oxnard St, see it regularly.

Other common forms of driver negligence include changing lanes without checking blind spots, particularly on multi-lane roads like Victory Blvd. Rear-ending a motorcycle at a stoplight or in traffic. Opening a car door into the path of a rider, known as dooring, along commercial stretches of Oxnard St. Running red lights or stop signs at intersections. Distracted driving due to cell phone use, navigation systems, or other distractions.

Each of these negligent acts creates clear liability for the driver. Under California law, every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle with reasonable care. Breaching that duty by committing any of the acts described above makes the driver liable for the injuries they cause.

LAPD and CHP Jurisdiction

LAPD investigates motorcycle crashes on Valley Glen surface streets including Victory Blvd, Oxnard St, and Fulton Ave. CHP handles crashes on freeways. The police report from the investigating agency documents what the officer observed at the scene, statements from the involved parties and witnesses, and any traffic citations issued.

The police report is important evidence, but it is not the final determination of liability. Officers have limited time at the scene and may not capture all relevant details. Your attorney supplements the police report with independent investigation, including witness interviews, traffic camera footage from nearby businesses, cell phone records of the at-fault driver, and accident reconstruction analysis when the circumstances are disputed.

Employer Liability for Commercial Vehicle Crashes

Valley Glen's commercial corridors carry delivery trucks, service vehicles, and commercial vans throughout the day. When a motorcycle accident involves a commercial vehicle, the driver's employer is often liable under respondeat superior, the legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of employees performed within the scope of employment.

This matters because commercial insurance policies carry significantly higher coverage limits than personal auto policies. A delivery driver's personal policy might have $15,000 to $30,000 in liability coverage. The employer's commercial policy might carry $1 million or more. Identifying the employer and their insurer opens a much larger source of recovery.

The employer may also be independently liable for negligent hiring if they failed to properly screen the driver's record, negligent supervision if they failed to enforce safety standards, or negligent maintenance if they failed to keep the commercial vehicle in safe operating condition.

Government Liability for Road Defects

If a road defect contributed to your motorcycle crash, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road may share liability. The City of Los Angeles maintains surface streets in Valley Glen, including Victory Blvd, Oxnard St, and Fulton Ave. Caltrans maintains nearby freeways.

Road defects that create liability include potholes deep enough to cause a rider to lose control, loose gravel or debris that was not cleared, faded or missing lane markings that confuse traffic flow, malfunctioning traffic signals, inadequate drainage creating standing water, and missing or damaged road signs.

Government liability claims have strict procedural requirements. You must file a government tort claim within six months of the accident. This deadline is firm, and missing it bars your claim regardless of how strong the evidence is. A Valley Glen motorcycle accident attorney ensures this deadline is met and that the claim is properly documented.

Product Liability for Defective Vehicles or Parts

Sometimes the motorcycle itself contributed to the crash. A defective tire, a brake system failure, a throttle malfunction, or a defective headlight can all cause or worsen an accident. When a defect in the motorcycle or in a part installed on the motorcycle contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable under California's product liability laws.

Product liability claims are based on strict liability, meaning you do not need to prove the manufacturer was negligent. You need to show the product was defective and the defect caused or contributed to the accident. If aftermarket parts were installed, the shop that performed the work may also be liable if the installation was improper.

Evidence preservation is critical in product liability cases. Do not repair your motorcycle before your attorney has had it inspected and documented. The bike and its components are physical evidence of the defect.

How Comparative Fault Affects Liability

California's pure comparative negligence system means that fault is divided among all parties who contributed to the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is never eliminated. A rider who is 15% at fault still recovers 85% of their damages.

Insurance adjusters handling motorcycle claims are trained to maximize the rider's percentage of fault. They will point to your speed, your lane position, whether you were wearing all recommended gear, and whether you were lane-splitting. Each of these arguments can be countered with evidence, but it takes an attorney who understands motorcycle riding and California traffic law to do it effectively.

Lane-splitting is legal in California under Vehicle Code Section 21658.1. The fact that you were lane-splitting does not automatically create fault. However, adjusters frequently treat it as a basis for shifting blame. Your attorney presents evidence showing your lane-splitting was within CHP guidelines and that the other driver's negligence was the primary cause of the crash.

Motorcycle riders face unique risks that other motorists do not. Road rash, even in low-speed crashes, can require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring. California allows lane splitting, but drivers who fail to check mirrors before changing lanes cause many of these collisions. Helmet use affects the severity of head injuries but does not bar recovery. Every biker deserves legal representation that understands the dynamics of motorcycle crashes.

Preserve Evidence and Protect Your Rights

Evidence from motorcycle accidents degrades quickly. Traffic camera footage is overwritten within days. Skid marks fade. Witnesses become unreachable. Contacting an attorney within the first few days after the crash ensures critical evidence is preserved.

Contact L&F Brown in Valley Glen for a free consultation. We investigate the accident, identify every liable party, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Cases are heard at Van Nuys Courthouse West, and we handle every step of the process on your behalf.