More than 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death for the motorcyclist, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If you or someone you love has sustained injuries or died because of someone else’s negligence in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to hold that person responsible for their actions.
A Lafayette motorcycle accident attorney from Morris Bart can help you explore your options for recovering compensation for your losses, and the consultation is free. Our personal injury team has worked on many motorcycle accident cases, and we are proud of the case results we have achieved for our clients. You can learn more about your potential recovery when you call us today.
Our Lafayette Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Fight for Your Recovery
Motorcycle accident victims need extensive recovery time after a collision, which usually means they don’t have the time or physical or mental energy to pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Motorcycle accident lawyers at the Morris Bart law office in Lafayette help injured motorcycle riders in this situation.
If you or a loved one is seeking compensation after an accident, we can help. Our Lafayette motorcycle accident attorney can lead your case and pursue damages from the liable party while you focus on putting your life back together. You should have the money you need to pay your medical bills and cover other accident losses that a negligent party caused. When we represent you, we can do all the following and more in your case:
- Learn more about the accident from your view during a free initial consultation
- Investigate the Lafayette motorcycle accident to understand what happened
- Gather evidence that establishes your compensation case for damages (for example, your medical records, medical expenses, income statements, photos, video footage, witness statements, expert witness testimony)
- Identify all at-fault parties that could owe you compensation and establish how they were negligent
- Assess all your accident damages and determine how much money you could receive
- Manage talks with insurance adjusters and negotiate for a fair financial recovery
- Handle all communications with insurance adjusters and other parties in your case
- Prepare and file your injury lawsuit if we cannot settle your case outside of court
- Update you regularly on your case so that you know what is going on at all times
- Explain all the laws that apply to your case and answer your questions promptly
The injury attorneys at our law firm will look at all aspects of your case and tailor our services to your case. We will give your insurance claim or lawsuit the attention it deserves. We can review your potential case further during a complimentary consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Motorcycle Accident lawyer serving Lafayette, call 800-537-8185
Recoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Crash in Lafayette, LA
There are a number of damages that motorcyclists may be able to recover if involved in an accident with a negligent driver. While a Lafayette motorcycle accident attorney cannot estimate the damages you may be able to recover without first reviewing the details of your case, common damages include the following:
- Medical treatment costs
- Lost income
- Lost future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Impaired quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to recovering wrongful death damages that could cover:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Benefits and wages previously provided by the deceased
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Medical expenses left to the family
In Louisiana, certain family members are designated to pursue these losses. Our firm offers legal representation in these matters. Our wrongful death attorney can explain how these legal actions work during a free case evaluation.
Can I Sue for a Motorcycle Accident?
When someone is on the road, they legally owe other drivers a certain standard of care. When they breach that standard of care, they’re considered negligent. If they’re involved in an accident because of that negligence, then they’re at fault for the crash.
In order to get compensation for damages from an accident, you need to prove to your insurance company or the court that the other party was at fault. A Lafayette personal injury attorney from our firm can gather evidence and testimonies to show you are the victim of negligence.
Click to contact our Lafayette Personal Injury Attorneys today
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
The statute of limitations in Louisiana is one year per La. Civ. Code Art. 3492. You must file your claim within one year of the date of your accident, or the courts could bar you from recovering compensation. The state also allows those seeking wrongful death compensation generally one year from the decedent’s death date, per La. Civ. Code. Art. 2315.2. We can advise you on the timeline and deadlines for your case. We will file your civil case on time.
What Happens If I’m Partially At Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?
According to comparative fault, or comparative negligence, if the courts find you are somewhat responsible for the wreck, they could reduce your award by the degree to which you were at fault. In other words, if you are 40% responsible for the accident, your award will be 40% less.
Our Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer can help build a strong case to defend you against defense tactics, alleging that you are more responsible than you are.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents involving negligent drivers are:
Turning Cars
According to NHTSA, 42% of multi-vehicle crashes are the result of other drivers turning into the path of a motorcycle. A turning car may strike a motorcycle that is passing the car or going straight through an intersection as the vehicle makes a turn.
Lane Changes
When motorcyclists are in a driver’s blind spot, drivers can easily overlook them. This mistake can create a dangerous situation if the driver changes lanes and moves toward the bike without warning.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is the practice of passing between lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars. While not permitted across much of the U.S., it still frequently occurs. It often causes accidents because of the reduced space a motorcyclist has to maneuver and the proximity between the car and the motorcyclist.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving
The Insurance Information Institute reports that 5,172 motorcyclists died in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2017. These include accidents where the motorcyclist or the driver operated a moving vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08%.
Common Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident
Many injuries can occur in a motorcycle accident, including:
Road Rash
Road rash is a skin abrasion that occurs when you scrape your skin against something rough. While this type of injury is common and usually minor, in serious cases such as motorcycle accidents,the road rash can take off multiple layers of skin and require skin grafting surgery.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Other Head Injuries
TBI is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head. In severe cases, the victim may experience a skull fracture, although this is not always the case. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are responsible for 20% of all TBI-related hospitalizations.
After a TBI, the victim may experience only headaches and disorientation in mild cases. In severe cases, though, it can cause long-lasting unconsciousness and permanent disability.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common in motorcycle accidents. These injuries can be extremely painful and typically require surgery and long periods of healing. Depending on the nature of the break, they can be extremely serious, such as when the bone shatters or breaks through the skin.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries often occur in motorcycle accidents because there is nothing to protect the rider against impact in a collision. Motorcyclists are often ejected from their motorcycles, striking objects in their paths and the ground. These injuries can cause numbness or tingling in the extremities, difficulty walking, or complete paralysis.
These are just a few of the possible injuries in a motorcycle accident. If you received one of these injuries or something else as a result of an accident with a negligent driver, you may be able to recover damages for your losses.
Contact a Lafayette Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
A motorcycle accident lawyer serving Lafayette can help build a strong case to fully pursue compensation for your injuries. To find out what options you have to recover your losses after a motorcycle accident, contact Morris Bart today.
We understand that the aftermath of a motorcycle wreck is a difficult time. We will be the trusted partners who will help you get through it.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
