Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Fight for Fair Compensation

Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, including:

• Road rash
• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries

These injuries can result in long-term impacts, including severe scarring, cognitive function impairments, and paralysis. You may have to undergo extensive medical treatments, be unable to work, or need long-term care.

A Louisiana motorcycle accident attorney with one of our law firm partners will carefully look at the full extent of your losses, both now and those you can expect in the future. They will advocate for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to because they know the pressure and stress that your family is under.

You may be able to recover compensation for losses such as:

Income Losses Due to Motorcycle Accident Injuries

This could include lost wages for missing work while recovering or attending medical appointments, diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to the same position, and lost job benefits, such as PTO or bonuses.

Medical Expenses from Treating Your Accident Injuries

Medical bills could include past, current, and future expenses for:

• Surgeries
• Emergency medical care
• Doctor appointments
• Diagnostic exams
• Prescriptions for pain management and treatment
• Physical therapy
• Long-term care

Property Damage to Your Motorcycle

You may be able to recover compensation for:

• Repairing or replacing your motorcycle
• Damaged gear

Miscellaneous Expenses

You can also recover the costs of:

• Home modifications, if your accessibility needs have changed
• Mobility aids, such as a walker or wheelchair

Non-Economic Losses After an Accident in Louisiana

These are non-financial losses that are harder to calculate but still recoverable. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, lowered quality of life, and loss of consortium.

How Legal Representation Can Benefit Your Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Case

Injuries after an accident can take up all your mental energy. You’re likely dealing with physical pain alongside emotional trauma and the stress of a changed future. A personal injury claim is one way to regain peace of mind and financial stability. However, it can be a complicated legal process. A Louisiana motorbike accident lawyer can help.

They will take on the legalities so you can focus on recovering. They can:

• Complete all necessary paperwork, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely filing
• Investigate your accident, gathering supporting evidence for your claim
• Negotiate with insurance companies, fighting for fair compensation
• Advise you on settlement offers, ensuring you know the risks of accepting a settlement that does not cover your losses
• Represent you in court if it becomes necessary for your case

The Goldwater Law Firm has been helping injury victims for over 20 years, and we can connect you with our dedicated law firm partners in your area. Legal representation can mean having the peace of mind to focus on healing and your family during this challenging time. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.

A Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Attorney Will Support Your Claim

Motorcycle accidents are unfortunately common in Louisiana. In 2023, there were 97 fatalities and 1,229 injuries from motorcycle crashes alone, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Recovering compensation after an accident can mean being able to recover financially from often severe injuries. However, successful motorcycle accident claims rely on proving that someone else was at fault for your losses. Establishing negligence in motorcycle accidents can be challenging.

Your attorney will need to investigate and gather evidence to prove all four elements of negligence.

Duty of Care

The at-fault party must have owed you a duty of care. This is typically easy to establish as all drivers owe other road users a duty to follow traffic laws and be safe when sharing the road. For example, they must:

• Leave enough space between their vehicle and a motorcycle
• Avoid distractions while driving
• Obey the speed limit

Breached Duty of Care in an Accident

The at-fault party breached their duty of care by going 80 MPH on a 55 MPH road.

The Breach Directly Led to Your Motorcycle Accident

Your lawyer will need to show that their actions were the cause of the accident. They may do this through:

• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Reviewing video footage, such as from traffic cameras
• Consulting with experts, such as accident reconstructionists
• Obtaining police reports and other official documentation connected to the accident

The Breach Caused You to Suffer Losses in the Accident

It does not suffice to show that the negligent party caused the accident; your lawyer must also prove that it caused you to suffer losses. They may do this through:

• Submitting medical records linking your injuries to the accident
• Consulting with professionals, such as a doctor who can explain how your injuries will impact your life
• Collecting receipts and other financial statements showing the cost of your losses

Louisiana Laws That Could Affect Your Ability to Recover Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case

Louisiana is a pure comparative negligence state. Under pure comparative negligence, you can recover compensation if you are not entirely at fault for your injuries. However, your recoverable compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your final damage award is $100,000, but you are 45% at fault, you could only recover $550,000.

Because of this, insurers may try to argue that you hold more blame for your accident than you do. It’s essential to be able to support your claim with strong evidence to combat this tactic. Your lawyer will build their case to do so.

Additionally, under Louisiana’s statute of limitations, you typically only have two years to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. Once this time has passed, you may be barred from recovering compensation.

Hiring a Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible can be vital for collecting time-sensitive evidence and ensuring that you meet all legally required deadlines. Contact The Goldwater Law Firm to get started on your case today.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Crash in Louisiana

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, your safety is the priority. The initial treatment for your injuries can significantly impact your chances of recovery. If your back, neck, or head has been injured, avoid moving until a medical professional can examine you. Any actions you take other than seeking medical care are secondary.

If it is safe to do so, you can:

• Call the Police: Responding officers can ensure that everyone at the scene is safe. They will also create a crash report, which can be vital evidence for your accident claim. They can also have EMTs accompany them to the scene.
• Document Your Injuries and the Accident Scene: Take photos of any visible injuries you have. You can also take pictures of the accident scene, including the damage to your motorcycle.

Once you are away from the scene of the accident, you should also:

• Continue Medical Treatment: Depending on your diagnosis, you may have an extensive treatment plan prescribed by your doctor. For both your health and your claim, it’s essential to continue your care. Stopping treatment early can allow insurers to argue your injuries were not as severe as you claim.
• Don’t Speak to Insurance Adjusters on Your Own: Insurance companies may trap you into taking the blame for the accident. Avoid talking to them directly; have them talk to your lawyer instead. If you must speak to them, be as brief and factual as possible. Avoid apologizing or taking any blame for the accident.

Affording a Personal Injury Attorney for Your Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Case

With medical bills, missed work, and motorcycle repairs, you may be dealing with overwhelming financial stress. Adding another cost can impede seeking the legal representation you deserve. However, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.

A contingency fee basis means your lawyer will investigate your case, file paperwork, and negotiate on your behalf without any upfront costs. Instead, your lawyer’s fees are an agreed percentage of your settlement.

You only pay them if they recover compensation for you.