If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a crash, contact a seasoned Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer. Our team at Laborde Earles has over 350 years of combined experience, and we’ve won over $1 billion in compensation for our clients.
Our law firm’s team of Alexandria personal injury lawyers will put you first and assist with all your legal needs after a crash. In fact, one of our proudest recoveries was a $1,200,000.00 trial verdict for a motorcycle accident victim.
As a contingency law firm, when you choose our team, you don’t pay unless we win your case. Learn more by calling or completing our online contact form.
If You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Alexandria, We Can Help
As a motorcycle accident victim, you deserve all the help you can get. You may seek a specific type of guidance only a personal injury attorney can provide. Whether dealing with injuries or losing a loved one, we’re proud to be your personal injury law firm.
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 from your collision.
- Evaluate your medical costs and other losses.
- Contact witnesses.
- Build an evidence-based case against the liable party.
- File your case without delay.
It’s always preferable that your personal injury lawyer has prior experience in your case’s jurisdiction. We can leverage our knowledge of local laws, statutes, and regional nuances to quickly understand complex cases and advise on the best course of action.
Past Verdicts and Settlements
When motorcycle accident victims come to us for help, they hope for a financial recovery. So, it may be encouraging to know that our legal team has helped thousands of clients obtain a settlement amount that covers the expenses they face after a crash. You can review our verdicts and settlements to see examples of our work.
Your case has a specific value. It’s our job to determine that value and pursue fair compensation for your losses.
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.
You do not have to pay us if we do not win compensation for you. Our Alexandria personal injury lawyers understand the importance of legal representation regardless of your financial status.
While being involved in any vehicular accident can be traumatic, motorcycle accidents tend to be particularly dangerous due to the lack of protection the vehicle provides. The same freedom that may draw many riders to motorcycles also might put them in a dangerous situation, so we’re here to help.
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.
ClientRecoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
While the actual value of a personal injury claim may be challenging to determine, the types of damages you could be eligible to receive in a lawsuit may include:
Medical Expenses
Motorcycle crashes can result in catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, paralysis, and damage to internal organs. You may need the liable party to pay for your emergency care, time in the hospital, surgeries, medications, and other healthcare expenses.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Potential
We know you may need time away from work to heal after a motorcycle crash. Your attorney can help you get the money you need to cover your lost pay. If your crash caused a disabling injury, you may qualify for funds to cover your reduced earning potential.
Pain and Emotional Suffering
Many of our clients qualify for money to pay for the non-economic impacts of a motorcycle crash, including their pain, suffering, and mental anguish. We can explain how your lawyer will calculate pain and suffering damages, giving you a better understanding of your claim.
Property Repair Costs
The at-fault party may need to pay to repair or replace your motorcycle. We can also add the costs of other damaged property to your claim.
Punitive Damages
In some instances, you may receive punitive damages when the at-fault driver was reckless in causing an accident. Punitive damages, unlike compensatory damages, are intended solely to punish the defendant.
Wrongful Death Damages
If the accident victim dies, a family member or personal representative may file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. Louisiana law has designated certain relatives eligible to pursue a wrongful death action. We can help you figure out which family members can seek damages.
The possible damages in wrongful death cases can include:
- The decedent’s medical bills
- Loss of the decedent’s household income
- Any pain and suffering the decedent experienced
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
An Alexandria wrongful death lawyer can further advise on the documents needed to file a claim or lawsuit. With legal representation, you may receive coverage for any other losses you’ve experienced.
Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Will Calculate Your Damages To Ensure You File for All You Deserve
Before pursuing compensation, we must know what your damages are worth. To better understand this, we will review documents and consult with experts to assess your losses.
For example, certain factors, like the severity of your motorcycle accident injuries, can influence your award. Catastrophic wounds, like spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, can result in higher compensation.
Your Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer will also help you consider any offers you may get from an insurance company. The initial offer is too low in many cases, so we negotiate for a fair award on your behalf. We are prepared to go to trial to fight for your compensation if necessary.
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 | ClientWho Has to Pay for Your Motorcycle Crash?
Several parties could have to pay for your losses in the context of motorcycle accidents. Some of the parties we hold liable in motorcycle crash cases include:
Another Motorist
A negligent driver can engage in distracted driving, failing to follow the rules of the road, and intoxicated driving. An Alexandria motorcycle accident attorney from our firm can analyze the facts of your case to determine who was responsible.
Vehicle Manufacturer
Mechanical failures are another common cause of motor vehicle accidents. These typically 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 take legal action against the manufacturer or seller.
Government Entity
In some cases, the victim might even have a valid claim against a city or municipality for failing to maintain roadways if their accident resulted from faulty road conditions. Therefore, after identifying the at-fault parties, we will pursue fair compensation.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientNegligence Matters in Your Motorcycle Accident Case
A motorcycle accident-related lawsuit may come down to the negligence of one or more drivers involved in the crash. The law requires anyone operating a motor vehicle to take active, precautionary steps to avoid causing harm to anyone else. They may be liable when someone fails to do so and causes a collision.
How is negligence established in a motorcycle accident? We generally prove negligence by:
- Showing the party owed you or your loved one a duty of care.
- Establishing that the defendant failed to provide reasonable care.
- Establishing the breach of duty as a cause of the accident.
- Explaining the damages that resulted from your crash.
Completing this sequence could be critical to your case for a financial award. Collecting as much evidence as possible to strengthen your case is essential. An Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer can guide you through each stage of the legal process.
When you leave your case to us, 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.
Comparative Negligence
In some cases, motorcycle accidents result in conflicting claims of liability. In such a scenario, a motorist can invoke the motorcycle operator’s actions as a defense against a negligence claim.
For example, if the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet during the accident, the defense may try to reduce the defendant’s liability.
Even if the motorcycle operator’s failure to wear a helmet contributed to their injuries, according to CC Art. 2323, Louisiana’s “comparative negligence” law does not bar them from recovering damages. Instead, the legal system will reduce victim’s compensation by an amount equal to their negligence.
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.
ClientWhat Is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Crashes in Louisiana?
Motorbike crash victims typically only have two years from the injury date to file a motorcycle accident claim for damages, per Louisiana’s statute of limitations. Once this period expires, the accident victim is no longer eligible to file a lawsuit.
If you file a wrongful death lawsuit, you generally have two years to do so. However, because the evidence is often time-sensitive, you may want to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Alexandria as soon as possible.
There may be exceptions to these deadlines, so our team could help even if it has been over two years since your accident. An attorney can help you file a lawsuit against the responsible parties within the deadline and guide you through the claims process.
The “No Pay, No Play” Law
In Louisiana, the “No Pay, No Play” law requires 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 does not have insurance during an auto accident, they may not recover the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages and $25,000 in property damages. This rule applies 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.
There are exceptions to this rule, such as hit-and-run accidents or those involving an intoxicated driver. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Alexandria, LA, can explain how this law may affect your case.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Rapides Parish
According to Louisiana State University (LSU) Louisiana Traffic Records Data Report 2021 crash statistics, fatalities in motorcycle crashes increased by five percent statewide from the previous year. Of the 972 deaths from various accidents, 84 motorcycle riders died. In Rapides Parish, there were 56 motorcycle crashes, six involving alcohol, throughout 2021.
In addition, there were four fatalities from motorcycle crashes, and two of the fatalities were a result of alcohol use. Due to these statistics, it’s essential that drivers on the road, whether they’re driving cars or riding motorcycles, be aware of the dangers of driving while under the influence.
While there were only two fatalities due to alcohol use, they still make up 50% of the deaths that we could have avoided if the negligent parties were sober and didn’t disregard the standard of care.
Contact Us for Help After a Motorcycle Crash in Alexandria
If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash, speaking to an Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer can help. At Laborde Earles, we provide a comprehensive approach to recovering losses related to the collision.
Our lawyers at our personal injury law firm can provide valuable guidance throughout an insurance claims process or a personal injury lawsuit. We understand the complex legal system and can help you obtain fair financial compensation.
Our legal team can assess your case today. Contact us now for your FREE legal consultation.
