There’s a high rate of motorcycle accidents in the United States, and the city of Breaux Bridge is no exception. News reports tell a harrowing tale of everyday people sustaining grave injuries or dying from crashes involving motorcycles. In 2019, a terrible accident claimed the life of a 41-year-old motorcyclist after he collided with a vehicle when entering I-49 South.
The force of the impact was so severe that the victim was ejected from his bike and landed on the asphalt, while the other motorist was unscathed. Similar to accidents involving two or more automobiles, determining fault in motorcycle accidents is not always easy. In situations such as this, a lawyer can inform you of your legal options.
Why Hire a Breaux Bridge Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Authorities at the scene of a motorcycle accident must conduct a thorough investigation to understand what happened, and sometimes, there are no eyewitnesses. Both entities may narrate different accounts of the incident and blame each other, only compounding the issue.
A motorcycle accident lawyer has a wealth of experience handling cases like these and helping clients like you win compensation. At the very least, you’ll likely need this compensation to cover your medical bills and any lost income during your recovery. Your lawyer can also negotiate restitution to pay for motorcycle repairs, among other damages.
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.
ClientLiable Parties in Motorcycle Accidents
Once you retain an attorney, you’ll investigate the crash to determine who’s responsible for your injuries and property damage. In many cases, these are the three key responsible parties:
Reckless Driver
Driving under the influence, while impaired or sleep-deprived is dangerous and can lead to traffic mishaps. An impaired or tired driver could make a wrong turn and slam into your motorcycle or accidentally run you off the road. In this case, you may be able to bring a charge against this dangerous driver or their insurance, so that they pay reparations to victims of their recklessness.
Defective Roadways
Budget cuts at federal and state levels usually mean cutting back on key projects, like road maintenance in cities and residential areas. Potholes, uneven roads, unmarked construction sites, etc., leave motorcycles susceptible to crashes. If this happens and is one of the causes of your accident, your lawyer can help you sue the city of Breaux Bridge for the lack of road maintenance.
Mechanical Issues
The brakes may fail when you’re negotiating a sharp corner, and you end up crashing into an oncoming vehicle. If the manufacturer made a mistake while assembling parts, your lawyer could sue for defective motor parts. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can also research other victims of similar issues with defective parts and prepare a mass tort action. There are four considerations when determining if a mass tort is valid:
- If there are many plaintiffs involved
- If the plaintiffs live or work in the same geographical area
- Whether the victims sustained similar injuries
- If the claims made by victims are similar, e.g., all harmed because of defective brakes
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 | ClientInjuries Sustained in Motorcycle Crashes
The nature of motorcycles means riders can sustain more serious injuries than occupants of passenger vehicles or trucks. Common safety gear includes a helmet, leather gloves, motorcycle boots, pants, and jacket, but often times this is not enough protection in accidents. If you’re unfortunate enough to be in a crash, these are some of the common ways to be injured:
Head and Neck
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets as a safety precaution, but this gear doesn’t guard the head in severe accidents. Unfortunately, not all helmets meet the government’s safety threshold, so you should be careful when buying one.
Head injuries are often severe and may include a concussion, skull fracture, or brain damage. Sometimes, victims break their necks, and the injury extends to the spinal column. Symptoms like head swelling may subside in a few days, while others may be life-altering and cause paralysis or even death.
Arms
Being thrown off your bike is scary, and your instinct will be to break the fall with your hands. This motion can break your hands in the wrist area and expose the arm to scraping when it meets the road surface. Some victims suffer nerve damage, which can be temporary or lifelong.
Chest Cavity
Any damage to the chest cavity could mean cracked ribs, collapsed lungs, or piercing by sharp objects, like broken glass. Blunt force trauma can trigger internal bleeding, which is not easily detectable until a thorough medical assessment. Damage to sensitive organs like the kidneys, liver, or spleen could mean life or death.
Legs
Your legs are integral to operating a motorcycle, and they too won’t be spared in the event of a crash. Victims often have broken tibia or femur, dislodged knee, broken toes, among other injuries. You may have to wear a cast to reset affected bones and use crutches to get around for a few weeks, during which mobility will be limited.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientSteps To Take After a Motorcycle Crash
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, there are measures you can take to protect your rights, such as:
- Check to see if you’re fine: If you are able, do the same for the vehicle’s occupants; they too may need medical intervention.
- Find a safe place to wait for the police: If you can, remove your disabled bike out of the way; remain in plain sight, especially if in a poorly-lit area.
- Report the accident and ask for medical assistance: Failure to report an accident in Louisiana is punishable by law as stated in R.S. 32:871.
- Exchange information with the other motorist: Get their contact details, insurance card, home address, etc., but don’t admit fault or take money from them.
- Document the scene and your injuries: Take wide-angle pictures for the best shots. Don’t share the photos on social media, as these images will help in bolstering your compensation claim.
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.
ClientContact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Legal Counsel
Were you injured in a motorcycle collision in Breaux Bridge? A lawyer can help you identify the liable party and pursue compensation for your damages. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can offer responsive legal care throughout the claim process. Allow us to help you while you focus on healing, contact us today for a free case review and get started on your case.
