Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents involving motorcycles can cause serious injuries. There are many hazards on the road that can make riding a motorcycle extremely dangerous. Traffic, road construction, inattentive drivers and road conditions such as potholes can all contribute to an increased risk of an accident while riding a motorcycle. Regardless of the circumstances, motorcyclists are often more susceptible to sustaining serious injuries when involved in an accident.
The freedom and excitement of riding a motorcycle in the Louisiana area simply cannot be overstated. However, the pleasure of riding a motorcycle can often come with a very steep price. Motorcycle riders are totally exposed, physically, when riding. Without the steel and glass protection offered by other vehicles, when hit by a car, motorcycle riders’ injuries are catastrophic and, many times, fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcycle rider is about 35 times more likely to die in an accident than a person who is driving or riding in a car or a truck. Survivors of motorcycle accidents often are left to deal with life-changing injuries and are in dire need of an accident injury attorney.
If You’ve Been Injured In A Louisiana Motorcycle Accident, You May Be Entitled To Compensation. Robichaux Law Firm Can Help!
When you have experienced a motorcycle accident, the insurance companies will not play fair. These companies will not offer you the settlement you deserve, if you are not represented by a Louisiana motorcycle accident attorney. An insurance adjuster’s entire job is to avoid paying claims to people who deserve compensation. Don’t let them take advantage of you for profit. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Louisiana to protect your rights. Under no circumstances should you give any recorded statement to an insurance company before you have secured legal representation. You absolutely need representation in a motorcycle accident case, no matter what an insurance representative might tell you.
Startling Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to recent reporting from the Insurance Information Institute, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (LADTD), and LSU, in 2019, nearly 1200 people were injured or killed in motorcycle accidents in Louisiana. In most of these accidents, the primary injuries were sustained by the motorcycle rider, rather than the driver of a car or truck.
Louisiana motorcycle accidents have been calculated at an injury/fatality rate of 69%. Historically, Louisiana has been one of the most dangerous states for motorcycle riders. The usage of helmets has significantly lowered the fatality rate; there were only 87 total motorcycle fatalities in Louisiana in 2019 and helmets were worn in 85% of motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, even those who wear a helmet will often be left with very serious injuries or without a loved one and require either a motorcycle accidents attorney or a wrongful death claims attorney to get the compensation they deserve.
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Every time a motorcycle rider opts to drive their bike on the road, they have a much higher risk of getting severely injured in an accident. The chances of getting into an accident with another vehicle have significantly increased for both motorcycle riders and other drivers on the road. Today, people are driving more distracted due to cellphone usage, which is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. The truth is that many drivers text, talk, and even go online on their cellphones while driving. Losing focus only takes one moment, and an accident can occur in a second.
Another cause of some motorcycle accidents is lane splitting. Lane splitting is illegal in Louisiana and prohibited in most other states as well. However, this does not mean that it doesn’t ever happen. Lane splitting is when motorcycles move between lanes of vehicles that are moving in the same direction. This includes passing stopped or slow moving traffic between two lanes while moving faster than surrounding traffic. This tends to place a motorcycle rider into drivers’ blind spots much more often. If traffic suddenly starts to move at a faster pace again, an accident can easily occur.
Distracted driving, however, is not the only cause of motorcycle accidents on the road. Motorcycle riders are known to weave in and out of traffic much easier than other vehicles. As a result, they are much harder to notice. An automobile driver may not see a motorcycle driver in their mirrors in time to avoid a collision.
There are many causes of motorcycle accidents. The most common include:
- Poor Visibility
- Distracted Driving
- Poor Road Conditions
- Speeding
- Negligent Drivers
- Reckless Driving
- Violation of a Motorcycle Rider’s Right of Way
- Intoxicated Driver
- Lack of Signaling
- Blind Spots
- Drivers’ Inability to Recognize Motorcycle Riders on the Road
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident with another driver, it is imperative to seek the legal assistance of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who represents victims in Louisiana. A motorcycle accident attorney in Louisiana can assess your case and help you obtain the damages you are entitled to collect.
Types Of Motorcycle Injuries
Unfortunately, when a motorcycle rider gets into an accident, the injuries can be devasting. Since riders do not have any protection around their bodies, their bodies bear the full force of the impact when they are struck by another vehicle. Consequently, the injuries can be tragic and even fatal. If you have been hit by another driver, it is essential to talk to a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney in Louisiana. As a motorcycle rider victim, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injury and losses. A motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best course of action.
- Broken Bones
- Spine Trauma
- Neck Trauma
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Cuts
- Loss of Limb or Limbs
- Brain Damage
- Concussion
- Disfigurement
- Internal Injuries
- Paralysis
In addition to physical trauma, a motorcycle rider who has been injured in an accident can also suffer from emotional distress. As such, the victim could also be eligible for noneconomic damages, such as emotional pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Motorcycle riders who have been severely injured face a hard road to recovery. Some injuries are life-altering, while others are life-ending. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, consulting with a motorcycle accident attorney is highly advised. An expert motorcycle accident attorney can take the appropriate actions to help build a strong case and recover all damages that apply in your case.