Motorcycle accidents result in some of the most severe injuries. Learn more about motorcycle crashes and how a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer can help you.
New Orleans is a great place for riding a motorcycle because of its often warm weather. However, even a recreational motorcycle ride can result in severe motorcycle accidents. Therefore, New Orleans residents often suffer various injuries in motorcycle accidents. Of all accidents, motorcycle accidents often are the most dangerous, because motorcycle riders are more exposed than people inside a vehicle.
So it’s not unusual for a motorcycle collision to result in catastrophic injuries and death. When this happens, accident victims need to know they can recover compensation from the at-fault party. The first step is to hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from a top law firm.
A motorcycle accident could involve a motorcycle operator and a traditional passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle. Therefore, motorcycle accident victims could be motorcycle riders or their passengers. Conversely, the collision victim could be a pedestrian or passenger vehicle occupant.
Motorcycles consist of only 3% of all vehicles registered in the US. However, in 2019 alone, 5,014 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents. This figure is understandable because, in the absence of helmets and other safety devices, accidents can throw the motorcyclist onto the road, leading to severe injury or death.
Like other auto accidents, there are many types of motorcycle crashes. They include:
All these motorcycle crash types can result in severe injuries. The common injuries motorcycle accident victims suffer include:
Clearly, motorcycle accidents can result in various types of wounds. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Instead, as the statistics show, many motorcycle crashes kill their victims. Death here could be immediate, or after the accident, maybe during treatment. Therefore, motorcycle accident victims must ensure they get medical attention after a collision.
A wide range of actions, especially human error, contribute to the increasing number of motorcycle accidents. So, we discuss some of such causes below.
At Wright & Gray, we dedicate ourselves to getting every client the settlement he or she needs to recover after a traumatic motorcycle accident collision. Whether you’re injured or grieving, you need help getting back on your feet, and we want to help you do that. We even offer free consultations so you can see before you sign anything that we can get your case settled.
As with every type of accident, proving fault is essential in a motorcycle crash. Unfortunately, many people assume that the motorcyclist is always responsible for a collision. This thought is wrong because many other parties could be liable. Establishing responsibility for a motorcycle accident is crucial because Louisiana is a fault accident state. This means that the at fault party compensates the injured victim for their losses.
Any of the parties below can be liable for a motorcycle crash.
The Motorcycle Rider
Motorcyclists are the first sources of motorcycle accident responsibility. This is because they’re the ones in control of the vehicle. So, their actions would have a more direct impact on an accident. So, a motorcyclist will be liable where they drove negligently or recklessly. For example, this would be the case where the driver was over-speeding or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Other Drivers
Drivers of passenger and commercial vehicles may be liable too. The relevant driver must have been negligent too. However, such a driver mustn’t hit the motorcycle. Instead, a driver can cause an accident without any contact with the bike. For an example of a no-contact accident, imagine a bus driver driving so recklessly. Now, imagine the motorcyclist has to swerve to avoid a collision. In this case, if the swerve results in an accident, the vehicle driver will be liable.
The Motorcycle Manufacturer
A defective motorcycle can also cause an accident. Here, there could merely be a problem with a part of the motorcycle. Faulty parts can include brakes, wheels, or even pedals. However, any little problem could result in a collision. If this happens, the manufacturer of the bike will have to bear liability for the accident.
Motorcycle accidents often result in various financial losses. However, economic losses aren’t the only consequences of motorcycle collisions. Whatever damage you suffer, though, you can recover the following compensation from the liable party.
Non-monetary losses also result from motorcycle collisions. Such damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc. But, again, skilled personal injury attorneys have the means of assigning dollar amounts to these intangible losses.
Almost all civil claims have a Statute of Limitations. This statute prescribes how long the plaintiff has to file a claim. Furthermore, the rationale behind this statute is that there must be an end to all litigation. In addition, the law prefers plaintiffs to institute actions early when their memories and evidence are still fresh.
In New Orleans, motorcycle claims share the general Statute of Limitations. This is the law that applies to all Louisiana personal injury claims. Notably too, Louisiana has one of the shortest Statutes of Limitations. In New Orleans, you have only one year to file a motorcycle accident claim, and your time starts to count from the accident date.
Furthermore, this time limit applies to your property damage and injury claims. If you institute a legal claim beyond this statutory period, the courts will likely deny your claim. Motorcycle accidents often result in deaths too. When this happens, the deceased’s family or estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The one-year statute also applies to New Orleans wrongful death claims. A qualified attorney can ensure that you file your claim early. Motorcycle accident attorneys are crucial because the courts only extend the statutory period in rare cases. These include situations where:
A serious motorcycle accident can leave you with an overwhelming number of obstacles in your way—from your own damages to the laws governing your case to the insurance companies. It’s unfortunate, and it can be tempting to choose a quick settlement over the full compensation you deserve, but getting the right compensation can make your recovery much easier.
After such a serious collision, you deserve the best representation possible, and our qualified attorneys want to provide you with exactly that. Our team at Wright & Gray is familiar with the unique needs and concerns that motorcycle accident victims have, and we’re prepared to get you through this difficult time.
If you’re still unsure about the services we provide, give us a call. We offer free, no-strings-attached consultations so we can speak to you about your case before you ever sign a contract or pay a fee. We want you to be prepared for your case, and we want you to know before we ever begin that we’re the right firm for you.
