While bicycles are fun to ride in Arnaudville, Louisiana, you must still be careful. Riders should know the traffic laws in the area, wear proper attire, and make sure drivers can see them on the road, especially if they are riding at night. Even then, accidents can still happen. If you are recovering from a bicycle accident in Arnaudville, we can help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit that compensate you for your losses.
An Arnaudville bicycle accident lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can guide you through the legal process one step at a time. We can investigate your case, determine how much compensation you could claim, and negotiate with the liable party’s insurer for you. This allows you to focus on healing from your accident while we take care of your legal matters. We can talk with you more about your accident during a free, no-obligation case review today.
What Damages Can You Collect in an Arnaudville Bicycle Accident?
When suffering from bicycle accident injuries, you can file for different types of damages. There are damages that cost you money, referred to as economic damages. Then, there are damages that affect your quality of life, which are non-economic damages. In some instances, if a driver is grossly negligent or malicious, you can file for punitive damages. Let’s take a look at all three.
Economic damages include:
- Medical costs from visiting the doctor, going to the hospital, and getting other medical treatment and equipment
- Loss of income because of being unable to work while injured
- Reduced earning ability
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement or disability
A court can award punitive damages only in cases of extreme negligence or malice. If you receive punitive damages, which are rare, it will be in addition to the other damages.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer serving Arnaudville, call (337) 777-7777
How Are Pain and Suffering Damages Calculated?
Pain and suffering are difficult to calculate. Who can determine how much value to put on what mental anguish a person endures due to an accident? This is why special formulas are used to calculate compensation for the non-economic damages. Two such formulas used in pain and suffering calculations are:
Per diem method: This method averages your daily earnings and multiplies that amount by how many days you could be in pain.
Multiplier method: With the multiplier method, you multiply the total economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5. The worse your pain and suffering is, the higher the multiplier number is, thus giving you more money for pain and suffering.
An Arnaudville bicycle accident lawyer with our firm can help determine which method is the most appropriate for your case.
Arnaudville Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
What About a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in Arnaudville?
In some instances, the bicyclist could be fatally wounded in an accident. The family, particularly the surviving spouse or child, could seek to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages, such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Final medical expenses
- Loss of income due to the person not being able to contribute to the household
- Survivors’ grief and anguish
- Loss of companionship, care, emotional support, and guidance
Our injury lawyer serving Arnaudville can explain in greater detail how wrongful death cases work in Louisiana during a free consultation. You have one year from the deceased’s death date to file a wrongful death action, per CC Art. 2315.2.
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Louisiana’s Comparative Negligence Law
Even if you contributed to your accident, you could seek awards. However, under CC Art. 2323, Louisiana’s comparative negligence law, a court can reduce your award by your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you were not over enough on the road before a car hit you, that could possibly count against you unless we can present evidence otherwise.
If your action in the above example means you are 10 percent at fault for the accident, and your award is $20,000, then you would receive only $18,000.
Additionally, if a motorist says you swerved or something like that, we could interview witnesses who back up your story. Sometimes the police report will contain information that shows you were not at fault. All these factors can help build a strong case so that our Arnaudville attorney can negotiate a fair settlement in the case.
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Common Injuries After a Bicycle Accident
More than 130,000 bicyclists sustain injuries, and about 1,000 people die in U.S. road accidents every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
Any road accident can be tragic, but a bicycle accident brings with it additional damages and injuries. The reason bicycle accidents can be severe is that you don’t have any protection around you as you do in a motor vehicle. This exposes your body to the other vehicle and the ground. You may get thrown from the bike, which can be very painful.
Bicyclists also are closer to the pavement as they ride, making them more prone to getting run over or seriously hurt. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones anywhere on the body
- Head injuries, including a brain concussion
- Neck and shoulder injuries and dislocation
- Facial and dental injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Contact Us for Help From an Arnaudville Bicycle Accident Lawyer
You can explore your legal options with an Arnaudville bicycle accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. With us by your side, you can count on receiving a professional attorney who will seek fair compensation for you and your family. Whether you have extensive injuries or minor ones, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Call us for a free case consultation where our team can review your case and let you know where you stand. Plus, you can move forward with your case without paying anything until we resolve it. Take back your life as you go after compensation that is rightfully yours. You generally have one year to sue for damages, per CC Art. 3492, so call us as soon as possible.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
