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Is the driver always at fault when a motorcycle is hit in Pasadena?
No, the driver who hit a motorcycle is not always automatically at fault in Pasadena. California follows a rule called pure comparative negligence. This means that if you were partly responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if another driver was 80% at fault and you were 20% at fault, you could still recover 80% of your damages. California Civil Code § 1714(a) generally states that everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care.
Determining fault in a motorcycle accident often requires looking at police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction. Even if you believe you bear some fault, do not assume you cannot recover anything. California law allows for recovery even when you share some responsibility.
How long do you have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Pasadena?
You generally have two years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Pasadena (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). This two-year deadline starts from the date of your injury or the wrongful death. However, if your motorcycle accident involves a city, county, or any other public entity in Los Angeles County, you must present a formal claim to that entity within six months of the incident (California Government Code § 911.2). Missing this six-month deadline usually prevents you from filing a lawsuit later, even if the two-year personal injury deadline has not passed.
The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor (California Code of Civil Procedure § 352). But, California Code of Civil Procedure § 352(b) removes that pause for claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act. What you can recover includes medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for non-economic harm like pain and suffering. For motorcycle accidents filed on or after January 1, 2026, California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34 does not allow recovery of the decedent's pain, suffering, or disfigurement in survival actions. Only the decedent's economic losses before death and punitive damages the decedent could have recovered are allowed.
Where do you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit for a Pasadena crash?
A personal injury case for a motorcycle crash that happened in Pasadena generally gets filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, at the Pasadena Courthouse. The Pasadena Courthouse is located at 300 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101. In Los Angeles County, a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Because Pasadena is in Los Angeles County, incidents here fall under Los Angeles County jurisdiction. If your claim is against the City of Pasadena, Los Angeles County, or a transit agency like Metro, remember the six-month government claim deadline (California Government Code § 911.2). Confirm the specific filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it, as catchment boundaries can change.
What kinds of motorcycle accidents do you handle in Pasadena?
Our firm handles all types of motorcycle accidents that occur in Pasadena and the surrounding areas. This includes collisions with cars, trucks, or other vehicles, as well as accidents caused by dangerous road conditions. We also assist riders injured by distracted drivers, those who fail to yield, or drivers who do not respect a motorcyclist's right to the road. Our personal injury and employment law firm focuses on helping those who have been hurt through no fault of their own.
Whether your accident involved a minor fender-bender or a catastrophic collision, a strong legal advocate can make a difference. We also assist clients with other types of vehicle accidents, including truck accidents in Pasadena and pedestrian accidents in Pasadena. Our focus on personal injury law extends to clients across Los Angeles, including those in Maywood, Pomona, and Alhambra.
What should you do after a motorcycle accident in Pasadena?
After a motorcycle accident in Pasadena, taking specific steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
Get medical help immediately. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not be apparent right away. A doctor can diagnose internal injuries, concussions, and other conditions that could worsen without prompt care.
Report the accident. Call 911 to ensure a police report is made. This report documents the scene and can be crucial evidence later.
Gather information. If you can, collect contact details and insurance information from all involved drivers and any witnesses. Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries.
Do not admit fault. Avoid discussing the accident details or admitting fault to anyone at the scene or to insurance adjusters. Stick to the facts.
Contact a personal injury attorney. An attorney can advise you on your rights, handle communication with insurance companies, and help you meet critical deadlines, including the six-month deadline for claims against public entities (California Government Code § 911.2).
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means having an advocate on your side who understands California personal injury law. We investigate your motorcycle accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case designed to recover the full compensation available under California law. This includes pursuing damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
We handle all communication with insurance companies, keeping them from pressuring you into a quick, low settlement that does not cover your needs. Our firm represents clients in Pasadena and throughout Los Angeles County. We aim to ease your burden during a difficult time so you can focus on healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was not wearing a helmet during my motorcycle accident?
California Vehicle Code § 27803 requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a safety helmet. If you were not wearing a helmet during your motorcycle accident, it does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation. However, if your injuries were made worse because you were not wearing a helmet, your compensation for those specific head injuries might be reduced under California's comparative negligence rules. An attorney can help determine the impact of helmet use on your case.
How does California's comparative negligence rule affect my claim?
California uses a "pure comparative negligence" system. This means that if you are found partly responsible for your motorcycle accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you sustained $100,000 in damages but were 20% at fault, you could still recover $80,000. This rule allows for recovery even if you are mostly at fault.
Can I still file a claim if the at-fault driver was uninsured?
You may still have options for compensation if the at-fault driver was uninsured. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own motorcycle insurance policy, you can typically file a claim with your insurer. This coverage acts as a substitute for the at-fault driver's missing liability insurance. If you do not have UM coverage, other avenues, like seeking damages from other responsible parties, may exist. From January 1, 2026, the uninsured/underinsured limit for rideshare passengers is $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident (California Public Utilities Code § 5433(b)(2)).
What if my motorcycle accident involved a city or county vehicle?
If your motorcycle accident in Pasadena involved a city, county, or other public entity vehicle, you must file a specific administrative claim with that government agency. This claim must be presented within six months of the accident date (California Government Code § 911.2). If you miss this strict deadline, you generally lose your right to sue the public entity. An attorney can help you prepare and file this claim correctly and on time.
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Pasadena, reach out to Casa Legal Los Angeles today. Call us at 888-585-2529 for a free discussion about your options. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Pasadena
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Pasadena claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Pasadena is filed in Pasadena Courthouse, Northeast District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Pasadena
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Pasadena (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).