According to research, motorcycle crashes lead to over 5,000 deaths in the United States per year. Such accidents often leave the victims with significant injuries that may have long-term effects. When involved in a motorcycle crash, you may wonder if you should seek out reimbursement for any property damage and your physical injuries.
A Cade motorcycle accident lawyer will let you know what your legal options are after an accident and be able to help you determine your eligibility for reimbursement. Read on for more details about how an attorney can help you and the process of filing a claim.
Determining Liability
Liability for a Cade motorcycle accident can fall on various parties. For example, the driver of another car may be liable if they were negligent and hit you. A manufacturer can also be responsible for the damages if a defective part caused your motorcycle or another motorist’s vehicle to fail.
A Cade personal injury lawyer can investigate your case to identify whose actions contributed to the incident. They will likely use various items during this process to gather more details about the crash. For example, the lawyer may get video surveillance footage of the incident or acquire a copy of the police report to identify the party that the authorities concluded was liable for the crash.
Other items the lawyer will use to determine fault for a Cade motorcycle accident are:
- Statements from witnesses
- Skid marks
- Images of vehicle damages
- Pictures of items displaced at the scene
Another method a Cade attorney may use to investigate your case is liaising with an accident reconstructionist. These professionals will use various pieces of evidence at the scene to work backwards from the accident and understand how the crash occurred.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientProving Your Claim
Insurance companies require you to provide enough evidence for four elements of a claim when seeking compensation. These four factors are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
A Cade motorcycle accident lawyer will prove that another party has a duty of care. For example, they may show that the driver who hit you was responsible for observing traffic light signals. They can also prove that a manufacturer must ensure they produce high-quality parts.
Once the attorney proves this, they will then have to show that the party in question breached their duty. For instance, they will show that the driver ignored traffic light signals or produce records indicating a manufacturer sold low-quality parts.
The next step to take in the claims process is to establish causation. Your attorney will need to present various evidence indicating that the breach of duty led to a motorcycle accident. After that, they will need to prove that all the damages you claim from the liable party resulted from the crash.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientAssessing Motorcycle Accident Damages
Motorcycle accidents can lead to various injuries depending on the impact and vehicles involved. A lawyer will study your case to determine the damages you sustained. First, they will check medical records to identify the physical harm caused and treatments received. After that, they will confirm how much income you lost due to the accident and related injuries.
Such steps allow a Cade motorcycle accident lawyer to identify how much compensation you deserve. They can also determine if your physician conducted tests to evaluate if the injuries may cause adverse effects in the long term. Once the attorney completes the assessment, they will seek damages such as:
- Lost career opportunities
- Motorcycle repairs
- Travel costs
- Doctors’ consultation fees
- Cost of buying a new motorcycle
- Personal items like phones and documents damaged during the crash
While some motorcycle accident injuries are easy to assess, others can be more difficult since they lack monetary value. A Cade personal injury attorney will determine how much the incident affects your life in order to claim a given amount for non-economic damages. Some injuries the attorney can seek in this category are:
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Physical pain
- Mental health injuries
- Disability
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientNegotiating with Insurance Companies
When an insurance company receives a demand letter for a Cade motorcycle accident, they may offer compensation. Your attorney will determine if the provided amount will reimburse all damages. They will also check if the amount is enough to cover expected future expenses like physical therapy.
If the offer is not enough, the attorney will reject it and negotiate for a better amount. They will then need to provide evidence indicating that your damages exceed the provided settlement. If the insurer increases the compensation to a satisfactory amount, the attorney may advise you to accept it.
After that, you will receive the funds and sign a release of liability to close the case. In case the insurer refuses to increase the settlement amount, your Cade attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientStatute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Cases
Louisiana provides motorcycle accident victims a maximum of two years to seek compensation. If their deadline passes, you may lose the right to file a claim and receive compensation for damages. A Cade personal injury lawyer will protect your rights by investigating your case and filing it before the deadline. They will also check if you qualify for any exemptions, which may extend the deadline to two years.
Other Ways a Cade Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you in many ways. They can communicate on your behalf with other parties like the police, your doctor, and the liable party’s lawyer. The attorney will update you regularly regarding the case progress. A Cade accident lawyer can also help with:
- Explaining Louisiana laws that may affect your case
- Answering your questions about the claims process
- Ensuring they have enough evidence for a lawsuit
- Sending demand letters and other legal documents
A Cade attorney will assist by providing legal advice which will allow you to determine how to respond when contacted by insurance adjusters. You can also identify and avoid mistakes that may affect the case or lower the settlement value.
Contact a Cade Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A Cade motorcycle accident lawyer can help you avoid the stress and hassle of the claim process. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we have a team of attorneys that will handle your case and pursue rightful compensation. With our guidance, you can gather enough evidence, prove fault and claim the proper amount for damages. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today for a free case analysis.
