If you were injured in a collision with a vehicle while riding your bicycle, you could file a personal injury compensation claim. You can recover the cost of your injuries, medical care, and other related financial damages by taking legal action.
When you are ready to seek monetary recovery from the negligent driver who caused the collision, our team is here to help. A bicycle accident lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, will help you get compensation for your crash-related expenses. Contact a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.
Proving Negligence After a Lake Charles Bicycle Accident
Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §32:76.1 promotes bicyclist safety by requiring vehicle drivers to take precautions when passing bikes and to do so only when it is safe. Proving the at-fault driver in your bike accident did not pass you safely or follow traffic laws might enable you to seek financial recovery.
The at-fault driver might have been negligent if they:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Neglected their duty
- Caused the accident
- Caused your financial damages
If a vehicle driver’s negligence caused your bicycle crash and resulting injuries, a Lake Charles bicycle accident attorney could help you seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver.
Our team can help you prove the duty, breach, cause, and damages that form the basis for negligence and establish your right to financial compensation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Identifying the At-Fault Party After a Bicycle Accident in Lake Charles
While negligent drivers are often the responsible party in bicycle accidents, others can also be liable. Depending on the specifics of your case, you can hold entities such as government agencies or vehicle manufacturers accountable for their actions.
The following parties could be responsible for your Lake Charles bicycle accident:
- Government entities: Assess whether hazardous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poorly designed intersections contributed to the crash. If so, government agencies responsible for road maintenance may be held liable.
- Vehicle manufacturers: Investigate if any defects or malfunctions in the bicycle or other vehicles involved played a role in the crash. The manufacturer could be held accountable if a defective product caused or contributed to the incident.
- Property owners: Examine if the accident occurred due to hazardous conditions on private property. The property owner may bear responsibility if inadequate maintenance, improper signage, or dangerous obstacles are present.
- Third parties: Consider if the actions of pedestrians, other cyclists, or even other third parties, such as contractors or delivery drivers, contributed to the accident.
After carefully reviewing the details of your case, our Lake Charles personal injury lawyers can identify the liable parties for your collision. We will use a wide range of evidence to build a strong case against the defendant.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Add These Documents to Your Lake Charles Bicycle Accident Case File
Our team works hard to establish the cause of your accident, the liability of the at-fault driver, and the financial value of your injuries. That often requires a wide range of documents and photos related to the incident. To support your right to financial recovery, we work hard to build a compelling claim.
The case file we build for you may contain the following documents:
- Crash report
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Witness statements
- Injury photos
- Accident scene photos
- Available video footage
- Employment records
- Damage estimates
- Vehicle value
We might request additional proof to help establish the at-fault driver’s liability. Keep a file containing any item you believe is supportive in your case and share it with a team member. A strong case file can help us prove the cost of the accident to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
An Accident Report Can Strengthen Your Case
Personal injury lawyers might use details in your crash report to prove the circumstances that led to the incident. The RS §32:398 details the importance of an accident report. Take a copy of the document to a personal injury attorney to strengthen your claim.
The bike crash report can contain the following information:
- Details about the circumstances of the crash
- Contact information for those involved
- The type and size of the at-fault vehicle
- Any violations the driver committed
- The movements and maneuvers made before the collision
- Whether or not driver distraction, inattention, or impairment contributed to the accident.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Financial Recovery After a Louisiana Bicycle Accident
As a bicycle collision victim, you may experience severe injuries that can lead to high medical bills, an inability to return to work immediately, prolonged recovery, and long-term rehabilitation.
With the guidance and direction of a bicycle accident attorney in Lake Charles, LA, you might qualify to recover these financial damages from the at-fault driver:
- Current medical care
- Future medical care
- Current income loss
- Future income loss
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Physical disability
- Physical disfigurement
- Property damage
- Property destruction
Defining the financial expenses and losses of your bicycle accident can be complicated. Our team may help you carefully track your expenses to make sure none of your costs are omitted.
Collect the bills, receipts, and other documents that help establish the financial impact of the collision, then get in touch with our bicycle accident lawyers in Lake Charles, LA, to ensure your personal injury claim is accurately valued.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle, you might hold the at-fault driver financially responsible for the cost of the crash. You only have a limited time if you seek compensation for your injuries.
In Lake Charles, Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492 generally entitles you to one year from the accident date to file your personal injury lawsuit. If you are the surviving family member of a fatal bicycle accident victim, this statute also entitles you to a year from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit.
Failing to meet either of these filing deadlines could prevent you from seeking financial compensation. When our team gets involved in your case early, we can help file your case on time and protect your right to compensation is never at risk.
Call Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Lake Charles, LA, Today
When you are ready to prove your case, value your claim, and negotiate a financial settlement, call Laborde Earles. We have over 250 years of combined legal experience representing accident victims in Louisiana.
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not charge you anything unless and until you obtain a financial award. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
