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Lafayette Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Lafayette Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents are often times devastating. They result in more severe injuries than typical car crashes because motorcycle drivers do not have the protection of all the safety features present in most other automobiles. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you are likely experiencing extreme physical pain and emotional distress. Our Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer near you will help you fight to secure every cent you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.

Louisiana is an ideal location for travel by motorcycle because of its beautiful and sunny weather. While a motorcyclist’s ride may end safely on most occasions, the risk of an accident is always present due to issues such as poor road conditions and negligent driving. After a motorcycle accident in Lafayette, an injured party may have more questions than answers about their health and financial security. Calling a Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer after an incident may help an injured person better understand their position and the legal recourse available to them.

You can rely on our motorcycle accident law firm, Craig A. Davis, APLC, to secure financial compensation from the at fault party or parties. Contact us today to find out how we can help you through the legal process while you focus on your recovery.

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Why Hire A Lawyer For Your Motorcycle Accident

When you are recovering from severe injuries, after a motorcycle crash, your focus should be concentrating on getting better. Anything else adds unncessary stress and worry that could delay your recovery. That is why you should speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident to let them take these burdens off your shoulders.

Hiring a lawyer to represent an injured party’s interests before insurance companies and adverse parties get involved is important to your case. Defense parties will be quick to display a claimant’s own negligence or other reasons why a court should reduce owed compensation or excuse a negligent party from liability.

Because of prior experience with courts and insurance companies, we know we can fight to get you the most compensation you deserve. We will examine your case, investigate all the evidence, and create a powerful story that shows why you deserve full financial recovery. We will not stop working until your claim is resolved to your satisfaction.

Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

As of January 2023, 8.8 million motorcycles were licensed no the roads throughout the United States. Cruisers are the most popular types of motorcycles, followed by touring motorcycles. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, motorcyclists face a greater risk of serious injury and death than passenger car occupants.

In fact, 14% of motorcyclist account for all traffic fatalities according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency also estimated $12.8 billion annual economic costs due to motorcyclists injuries and fatalities. 

Common Motorcycle Injuries Include:

  • Amputation
  • Broken bones
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Disfigurement
  • Internal bleeding
  • Road rash 
  • Internal organ injuries
  • Mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
  • Severed limbs
  • Severe burns

Seek medical attention right away if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, even if you don’t think your injuries are severe. Internal trauma is common. Left unchecked, it could get worse and pose a serious threat to your health and safety. Similarly, failing to seek medical care can hurt your ability to secure full compensation for those injuries.

Many riders never make it back onto a bike after an accident. The injuries can be so debilitating that they struggle to care for themselves or hold a job afterward. This must be factored into the calculation for your compensation demands. Claims can climb into thousands or even millions of dollars for a younger person who is permanently disabled in a Lafayette motorcycle accident.

What Should I Do After An Accident?

  1. Check for Injuries: Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
  2. Call the Police: Report the accident to the police, even if it’s minor. This will ensure an official accident report is filed, which can be crucial for proving liability and documenting witness information.
  3. Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and any other involved parties. Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the incident, make sure to gather their contact information. Having third-party observers can be invaluable in piecing together an accurate account of events.
  4. Document the Scene: Take photos and/or video of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible damages. This evidence can be valuable for insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits.
  5. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine initially, it’s essential to seek a medical evaluation promptly. The rush of adrenaline can mask some injuries at first, and undergoing a thorough check-up will help detect any latent injuries that may have resulted from the accident.
  6. Preserve Evidence: Preserving evidence involves keeping records or materials that could prove useful in proving your case. This might include photographs from the accident scene, damaged vehicle parts, medical invoices showing treatment costs, and a copy of the police report.
  7. Contact a Lafayette Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: If you or a loved one have been injured, it’s wise to contact our law firm who actually focuses their legal practice on personal injury cases. We are well-versed in applicable laws and regulations, know how to gather essential evidence, protect your rights, and can maximize any financial recovery for your injuries and damages.

Motorcycle Accident FAQs

What if I wasn't wearing a helmet during the accident?

Potentially. Louisiana is a state that requires you to wear a helmet. You have a legal obligation to wear one.

For instance, let’s say that you are thrown from your motorcycle in a crash (while not wearing a helmet) and hit your head on the pavement. If you intend to seek damages related to your head injury, it’s your responsibility to seek medical treatment and follow medical advice so that you can get better. 

You subsequently filed a lawsuit against the negligent driver for damages. The driver could argue that your failure to not wear a helmet caused your injuries to be worse than they would have been had you worn a helmet.

Ultimately, a helmet can help to keep you physically safe and limit potential arguments that could hurt your ability to recover compensation. Riding without a helmet isn’t worth the risk.

Can I sue someone for making me crash my motorcycle?

Many motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle crashes. This commonly occurs because the rider is forced off the road or swerves to avoid a collision or other potential hazard.

If there is no crash with another vehicle, you might think you are unable to bring a claim. This is not the case. You need to prove that the other driver was negligent (i.e., he was speeding, distracted, etc.) and that this negligence caused you to crash.

Proving that someone else was at fault for a single-vehicle accident can be very difficult. A Lafayette motorcycle accident attorney will investigate the scene, interview witnesses, and take additional steps on your behalf to find the liable party and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What's the average payout for a motorcycle accident?

The compensation you may be entitled to after a motorcycle accident will depend on the type and extent of the damages you and your family sustain. Although you may find varying statistics for “average” verdicts and settlements after a motorcycle accident, it is important not to believe everything you read.

Ultimately, the specific details of your case will determine how much you may be able to recover. Some of the factors that may affect the value of your claim include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The monetary value of your economic and non-economic losses
  • The insurance coverage held by the parties in the case
  • Whether your case settles or goes to court (insurance settlement payouts are typically lower than verdicts awarded at trial)
  • The conduct of the at-fault party or parties (courts will only award punitive damages if you can prove extreme recklessness or malice on the part of the defendant(s))
  • Issues of comparative fault

How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?

Most personal injury attorneys, including our office, works for what is called a contingency fee basis. This means that the attorneys will not receive any compensation for their services until a recovery is made on your behalf. Most personal injury attorneys will not charge you a retainer to ensure their services, and will even advance the costs necessary in order to recover on your claim.

Many law firms claim to handle motorcycle accident cases, but few can claim the level of experience and expertise it takes to successfully represent accident victims. Accidents involving motorcycles should only ever be handled by lawyers who have a proven track record of helping motorcycle accident victims. Craig Davis is that lawyer.

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