Motorcycling is a fun and exciting activity, but riding a motorcycle can also be dangerous if the right precautions are ignored. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in a crash compared to occupants of a passenger vehicle.
If you’ve recently been injured in a motorcycle accident in Chataignier, you can reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer. A lawyer will guide you through your case and ensure that you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and any other damages incurred.
How a Chataignier Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
After a motorcycle accident, pursuing compensation from the liable parties can be difficult, especially if you decide to do it alone. Insurance companies are in business to make profits and undervalue or deny compensation to victims. They’re likely to offer you a lowball settlement immediately after the motorcycle accident, hoping that you’ll accept it without a fight.
Most of the time, this amount is not enough to cover your medical expenses, repair costs for your motorcycle, and other damages. Therefore, don’t be pressured to accept it or any other settlement offer below your claim’s worth. That’s why it may be in your best interest to hire a lawyer who understands the unique motorcycle laws in your state. A Chataignier motorcycle accident lawyer will do the following to help your case:
- Explain your legal rights and all details regarding the case
- Conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence to prove the liable party’s negligence led to the accident
- Review your medical records and police reports to verify whether you deserve compensation
- Interview all witnesses who were present at the scene
- File an insurance claim on your behalf
- Handle all communications with the insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Consult financial experts when calculating your claim’s worth
- Present the necessary paperwork and documents to the insurance adjusters
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company on your behalf
- Take your case to trial if a fair settlement isn’t reached
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What to Do Following a Motorcycle Accident
Following a motorcycle accident, do not admit fault to anyone. Wait for the relevant authorities to conduct an investigation and determine who was at fault. Here are essential steps to take after a motorcycle accident:
Move to a Safe Place
Immediately after a motorcycle accident, make sure to move to a safe place where you can’t be hit by other vehicles. After this, check yourself for any injuries and, if possible, assist others involved in the accident. If you’re physically capable, you can also move your motorcycle out of the road to give way to other vehicles.
Call the Police and Emergency Medical Services
Following the motorcycle accident, you should contact the police. If the property damage exceeds $500, you should file a police report and request a copy of the report. The police report will be crucial when the time comes to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages incurred. If you or anyone has been injured in the accident, you must request emergency medical services.
Collect Contact Information
As you wait for the police and emergency medical personnel to arrive, you should exchange contact information with all parties involved in the accident. Get their names, phone numbers, addresses, license numbers, and insurance details. You should also note down the contact information of any witnesses present at the scene.
Seek Medical Attention
Once the emergency medical personnel arrive, be sure to receive medical attention and report all the injuries sustained. You should do this even if you feel fine and don’t have any visible injuries. Make sure to explain to the doctor any discomfort you feel in great detail so that they can help you if necessary.
Document the Accident Scene
It will be a big advantage to your case if you can document the accident scene. If you have a camera with you, be sure to take pictures of your injuries, the damaged motorcycle, the crash scene, the road conditions, and the traffic signs. You should also take pictures of the other vehicles involved in the accident and their license plate numbers if possible.
Contact a Lawyer
Before communicating with any insurance agent, it would be best to contact a Chataignier motorcycle accident lawyer for legal advice.
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Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents in Chataignier can unfortunately, result in many types of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Joint damage
- Internal bleeding
- Road rash
- Concussions
- Amputations
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How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Every motorcycle accident case is unique. However, the compensation you’ll recover from your claim will depend on the damages incurred. These damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Motorcycle damage
- Lost earning potential
- Lost benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Unfortunately, some victims die as a result of these motorcycle accidents. If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you could file a wrongful death claim and recover the following benefits:
- Final medical expenses for the deceased
- Loss of consortium
- Lost income if the deceased was the breadwinner
- The pain and suffering the deceased endured before passing away
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Statute of Limitations
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you could file an insurance claim against the liable party. Under Louisiana law, per CC §3492 you have a year from the date of the accident to file this claim.
This also applies to wrongful death claims resulting from a motorcycle accident, the same one year applies from the date the victim died. If you don’t take legal action within this time limit, your claim will be deemed invalid, and you’ll lose the right to compensation.
Contact Us Now for Legal Help
If you’ve sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident in Chataignier, you deserve to be fully compensated by the at-fault party. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will advise you on the best legal option to take and work tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. We require no upfront fees or costs to get started on your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
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