While being involved in any vehicular accident can be traumatic, motorcycle accidents tend to be particularly dangerous due to the lack of protection a motorcycle provides. The same freedom that may draw many riders to motorcycles also might put them in a perilous situation. Without the protection of a car, a driver may be more likely to suffer serious injuries following an accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is advisable to contact a seasoned Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer. A personal injury attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can work with you. We’ll ensure your next step is the right one.
If You’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident in Alexandria, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help
As a motorcycle accident victim, you deserve all the help you can get. You may be seeking a specific type of help—the type that only a personal injury attorney can provide. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers should be your law firm of choice, whether you’re dealing with injuries or losing a loved one.
Our firm is Louisiana-based, and we know the Alexandria area well. Our presence in Alexandria allows us to:
- Investigate your motorcycle accident comprehensively
- Gather any physical evidence that remains from your accident
- Contact witnesses who reside in the area
- File your case without delay
It’s always preferable that your attorney has prior experience in the jurisdiction where your case takes place. For a motorcycle accident in Alexandria, choose Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers.
We Have a Reputation for Excellence
Our presence in Alexandria isn’t the only reason to choose us for your case. Our dedication to clients is well-documented. Our clients attest to our stellar client care:
- “My experience with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers was a great adventure. They keep you updated with your claim, with phone calls and text messages. I didn’t have to do anything but relax. I recommend anyone [who’s] been hurt in an accident to call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. You will not be disappointed.” – Eldida, former client
- “This is the dream team! They took great care of my mother, my daughter, and myself!” – Danielle, former client
- “Excellent attorneys, I highly recommend this law firm.” – Ashley, former client
These sorts of reviews are not the exception. We serve each client with the utmost respect and fight for nothing less than a fair recovery.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers’ Verdicts and Settlements
When motorcycle accident victims come to us for help, they hope for a financial recovery. It may be encouraging to know that Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $600 million in judgments and settlements for our clients, including a $1.2 million trial verdict for a motorcycle accident victim.
Your case has a specific value. It’s our job to find out what that value is and then pursue fair compensation for your losses.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Alexandria, call (318) 777-7777
Recoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
While the actual value of a motorcycle accident claim may be difficult to determine, the types of damages you could be eligible to receive in a personal injury lawsuit may include:
- Medical expenses
- Estimated future medical needs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
In certain cases, you may receive punitive damages when the at-fault driver was particularly reckless in causing an accident. Punitive damages, unlike compensatory damages, are intended solely to punish the defendant. An attorney could help you recover damages following your accident.
Wrongful Death Damages
If the accident victim died, a family member or personal representative might be able to file for wrongful death claim on their behalf.
Louisiana law has designated certain relatives as eligible to pursue a wrongful death action. We can help you figure out which family members can seek damages. Recoverable damages may include:
- The decedent’s medical expenses
- Loss of the decedent’s household income
- Any pain and suffering the decedent experienced
- Loss of companionship
You may receive coverage of any other losses that you’ve experienced.
Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (318) 777-7777
Our Lawyers Will Calculate Your Damages to Ensure You File for All You Deserve
Before we can pursue compensation for you, we must know what your damages are worth. We may consult with experts to help us assess your losses. We will also review documents related to your accident to make sure we account for all of your damages.
Your lawyer will also help you consider any offers you may get from an insurance company. In many cases, the offer is too low, so we negotiate for a fair award for you. If necessary, we are prepared to go to trial to fight for your compensation.
When you leave your case in our hands, we handle everything, including correspondence with all parties and all necessary case paperwork. We also keep you up to date on any changes in your case.
Click to contact our Alexandria Personal Injury Lawyers today
Who May Be Responsible for Your Motorcycle Accident?
In the context of motorcycle accidents, several parties could potentially be responsible. If the accident victim was a passenger, they may be able to file a legal claim against the negligent operator of the motorcycle. Similarly, an injured biker might be able to sue another motorist who was operating their vehicle negligently when they collided with the motorcycle.
Examples of negligent behaviors include distracted driving, failing to follow the rules of the road, and intoxicated or drugged driving. In some cases, the injured person might even have a valid claim against a city or municipality for failing to maintain roadways.
A Rapides Parish motorcycle accident attorney from our firm can analyze the facts of your case to determine who was responsible. After identifying the at-fault parties, we will pursue fair compensation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Proving Liability in Your Motorcycle Accident Case
A motorcycle accident-related claim may come down to the negligence of one or more drivers involved in the accident. The law requires that anyone operating a motor vehicle take active, precautionary steps to avoid causing harm to anyone else. When someone fails to do so and causes an accident, they may be held liable.
We generally prove negligence by:
- Showing that the defendant(s) owed you or your loved one a duty of care
- Establishing that the defendant(s) breached their duty of care
- Establishing the breach of duty of care as a cause of the accident
- Explaining the damages that resulted from your accident
Successfully completing this sequence could be critical to your case for awards.
Comparative Negligence
In some cases, motorcycle accidents result in conflicting claims of liability. In such a scenario, it may be common for a motorist to bring up the actions of the motorcycle operator as a defense against a negligence claim.
For example, if the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, the defense may try to reduce the defendant’s liability. However, even if the motorcycle operator’s failure to wear a helmet contributed to their injuries, Louisiana’s “comparative negligence” law (CC Art. 2323) does not bar them from recovering damages. Rather, the victim’s compensation may be reduced by an amount equal to their negligence.
Mechanical Failure May Be to Blame for Your Motorcycle Accident
Mechanical failures are another common cause of motorcycle accidents. These normally fall into two categories: faulty design or issues with manufacturing. Problems with the design may include any flaw that makes the motorcycle unsafe to use on the road.
Manufacturing issues may include defective parts or parts rendered unsafe at some point between the factory and the location where the individual purchased the motorcycle. In either case, the plaintiff may be able to take legal action against the manufacturer or seller.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Louisiana?
Louisiana is unique in that the statute of limitations for personal injury cases – including motorcycle accidents – is extremely short compared to other states. Here, motorbike crash victims only have one year from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit for damages, per CC §3492. Once this period expires, the accident victim is no longer eligible to file a claim.
If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you also have only one year to do so, as outlined in CC §2315.2. Because evidence is often time-sensitive, victims may wish to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Rapides Parish as soon as possible. An attorney can file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.
There may be exceptions to these deadlines, so call our team even if it has been over a year since your accident.
The “No Pay, No Play” Law
In Louisiana, the “No Pay, No Play” law makes it mandatory for all drivers, including motorcyclists, to carry liability insurance that adheres to the state’s minimum policy requirements, per Louisiana Revised Statute (RS) §32:866. If a driver is not insured at the time of an accident, they may not recover the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages and $25,000 in property damages, even if someone else was at fault for the collision.
In other words, a driver’s failure to carry insurance may incur a $15,000 deductible for injuries and a $25,000 deductible for property damage should they suffer any form of losses in a collision.
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as hit-and-run accidents or those involving an intoxicated driver. An Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer can explain how this law may affect your case.
We Take on Cases with No Upfront Payment
We can start on your case with no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs from you. We will receive a fee only if we win your case. If we do not win compensation for you, you do not have to pay us.
An Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You File for Damages
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it may be best to speak to an Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer.
A member of our team can assess your case today. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers now for your FREE consultation.
Call or text (318) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
