If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be dealing with costly property damage, lost wages, and painful physical injuries. Recuperating from such an incident can be incredibly stressful and expensive. However, you can pursue financial compensation to cover your losses and assist you during your recovery period.
If another party’s negligence caused your crash, a Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyer from Laborde Earles can help you file a claim for damages. Our personal injury attorneys in Lake Charles have over 250 years of combined experience, so you can rest assured that we have the knowledge and skillsets to win your case.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Lake Charles Can Help You
Filing a lawsuit can be difficult and time-consuming, even under the best circumstances. That said, you do not have to navigate the legal process alone. You can stay home, tend to your injuries, and spend time with your loved ones while we handle the entirety of your claim.
A Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm can provide the following legal services to make your claim as successful as possible:
- Investigate the crash: Our attorneys can collect important evidence related to your accident to prove that the liable party was responsible for the crash. We’ll investigate the accident scene, analyze the police report, interview witnesses, and collect other evidence to strengthen your claim.
- Submit paperwork: A motorcycle accident lawyer from Lake Charles can complete and submit any paperwork your personal injury claim or lawsuit requires. However, if you prefer, you can fill it out and let us review it before sending it.
- Fight for your compensation: Your personal injury lawyer’s main goal will be to maximize your compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. Whether they seek damages through settlement negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurer or by taking your case to trial, they’ll work hard to recover fair compensation.
- Work on a contingency-fee-basis: At Laborde Earles, we don’t believe in adding unnecessary financial pressure to an already stressful situation. That’s why we’re willing to represent you on a contingency-fee basis. Instead of charging you out-of-pocket, we’ll take a portion of the money you receive from your claim in exchange for our services.
Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Identify the At-Fault Party
Determining who is responsible for a crash is not always easy. However, it is a vital step, as you must know who to sue before filing your lawsuit. Our highly experienced team of Lake Charles motorcycle accident attorneys can use evidence from the investigation to identify who is at fault.
Potentially liable parties in a motorcycle crash may include:
- The other driver: There are many mistakes motorists can make that may lead to a motorcycle collision. Disobeying driving laws, texting while behind the wheel, and speeding are all forms of negligence that could cause a crash. If we find that the other driver’s reckless behavior caused the crash, we’ll strive to hold them liable for your losses.
- The other driver’s employer: If you were hit by a commercial vehicle, the driver’s employer may be fully or partly liable for the crash. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney can determine if the employer is at fault and take legal action against it.
- An auto parts manufacturer: Several things can go wrong when a car or truck is fitted with defective parts. If a tire blowout, brake malfunction, or another issue occurs due to a faulty part, our team can pursue compensation from the company that manufactured it.
- A mechanic: All vehicles require routine maintenance to run properly and safely. If a negligent mechanic fails to properly repair your bike or another vehicle involved in the crash, our Lake Charles motorcycle accident attorneys can work with an auto expert to determine if the ineffective repairs caused the crash.
If you have grounds for a claim, our legal team will happily help you figure out who to name in your lawsuit. Whether a negligent driver or a company is liable, we’ll ensure you get the payment you need to cover your financial losses and manage other effects caused by the incident.
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Our Team Can Deal With the Insurance Company
If you choose to work with a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team in Lake Charles, they’ll likely advise you to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. While insurance policies can cover various economic and non-economic losses after a bike crash, insurance companies often hesitate to pay the damages that honest claimants deserve.
Insurers will do everything they can to reduce the money they have to pay you, even if it means suggesting that you are to blame for the incident. Our motorcycle accident attorneys are familiar with dishonest insurance tactics like this and are fully prepared to combat them.
Our team can present hard facts and evidence to insurance adjusters and argue why you deserve maximum compensation for your losses.
A Lake Charles Lawyer Can File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit on Your Behalf
Insurance companies must only compensate you up to the highest limits of the policyholder’s claim. If your losses exceed the claim amount, you may need to recover the remaining amount in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. A civil suit may also be appropriate if the insurer repeatedly denies your claim.
If that’s the case for you, a motorcycle accident attorney from Lake Charles will gladly take your case to court and represent you in front of a jury. They’ll use witness testimony, sound legal theory, and undeniable evidence to obtain a verdict that works for you.
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Recoverable Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case
When you work with a motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm, they’ll meet with you to discuss the expenses, intangible losses, and other challenges you’ve faced due to the crash. This will help them determine which types of damages you may recover.
Whether you’ve suffered severe injuries, considerable damage to your vehicle, or a great deal of emotional distress from the collision, our team can work hard to recover the following damages on your behalf:
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the tangible losses you’ve been burdened with due to the collision. Our team can use documentation, such as medical bills and employment records, to establish the compensation you should receive for economic losses. Depending on your unique circumstances, our motorcycle accident lawyers may pursue the following economic damages:
- Medical costs: This form of compensation can cover the cost of medical treatments, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and other types of medical care you need to treat your injuries.
- Repair bills: Economic damages can cover the bill if your motorcycle was damaged in the incident and needs to be repaired or replaced. Compensation can also be used to pay for other types of property damage, like damage to your cell phone or other valuable items.
- Loss of income: Throughout your recovery period, you’ll probably have to take time off from work to go to medical appointments, rest, and attend to your injuries. These damages can replace any current or future income losses you incur on your journey to physical recovery.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages can compensate for losses not directly related to your finances. Given their subjective and personal nature, intangible losses are more difficult to quantify. However, our lawyers can use special calculations to determine how much you should receive for the following non-economic losses and challenges:
- Pain and suffering: Our motorcycle accident lawyers have served numerous bike crash victims in the Lake Charles area. We’re closely familiar with how painful injuries can be for victims of serious motorcycle collisions. We’re committed to recovering the compensation you need to cope with your physical pain and discomfort.
- Emotional distress: The psychological impact of a traumatic event like a bike collision can be devastating. You may experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues due to the crash. Fortunately, we can seek payment to help you cope with the emotional distress and mental anguish you’re experiencing.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Sadly, some bike collision victims are left with long-term mental and physical impairments that significantly reduce their quality of life. If that’s the case for you, these damages can help you deal with the loss of enjoyment of life you’re dealing with.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your family member or spouse has passed away in a fatal accident, you might be unsure how to move forward. While it might not be your first instinct, filing a claim can help you get the support you need to cope with your loss, cover expenses related to your loved one’s passing, and stay strong during this trying time.
Our motorcycle accident team in Lake Charles can help you file what’s known as a wrongful death claim. If successful, your claim could yield the following damages:
- Funeral and burial costs: These damages can cover expenses associated with your deceased loved one’s funeral and burial.
- Pre-death medical care: Wrongful death damages can cover medical expenses related to the treatment and care your loved one received right before they passed away. Our team can pursue payment for medication, medical equipment, and other necessary items. We will use all available medical records to document your losses.
- Lost financial support: You may also access compensation for the financial support you would have received from the deceased had they not passed away. This can include lost wages, benefits, pension plans, and other income the deceased would have provided to their family.
- Loss of companionship: Losing a loved one in a sudden motorcycle accident can result in emotional damage and feelings of loneliness, isolation, and sadness. These damages can help you cope with the emotions you’re experiencing due to your tragic loss.
- Loss of consortium: If you’ve lost a spouse or partner in a bike crash, you may experience loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Lake Charles understand how hard this can be, so they’re committed to recovering these damages on your behalf.
If you have suffered the untimely death of a loved one, our experienced team can offer compassionate legal support. We will use all available evidence to prove the full extent of your loss and help you obtain the financial compensation you need to deal with the emotional impacts of this tragedy.
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Louisiana Shared Fault Laws
Whether you’re filing a claim for your own motorcycle injuries or the loss of a loved one who was involved in a bike crash, Louisiana’s shared fault laws may impact your claim.
Louisiana Civil Code (CC) § 2323 establishes a pure comparative negligence system. Therefore, you can still get compensation for your damages, even if you or your loved one were partially responsible for the motorcycle collision.
When involved in a collision, motorcycle riders often share fault for the accident. For example, if a biker fails to wear proper safety equipment, such as a motorcycle helmet or other protective gear, they may be partially to blame for the injuries and losses caused by the incident.
How Shared Fault Impacts Your Award
Although you can still seek compensation if you were partially at fault for the crash, your injury settlement will be affected. You can expect your award to be reduced by your percentage of the blame. For example, if you were 25% at fault for the crash, you would only recover 75% of the settlement amount.
If you have questions or concerns about how shared liability may affect your motorcycle accident injury settlement, a motorcycle accident attorney from our legal team can provide clear and accurate answers.
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Injuries a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Seek Damages For
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Lake Charles, you could suffer from various physical injuries. Since motorcyclists are at an increased risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries, your condition after a crash may be far worse than if you were involved in another type of motor vehicle accident.
Fortunately, our lawyers can help you seek compensation for any of the following common motorcycle accident injuries:
- Road rash
- Loss of limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Broken bones and compound fractures
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
You don’t need to suffer a life-threatening injury to be entitled to compensation. If you have suffered injuries that you might consider “minor,” contacting a motorcycle accident attorney in Lake Charles may still be worthwhile. They’ll meet with you to discuss your legal options and determine how much compensation you need to cover current and future treatment costs.
How Long You Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
The statute of limitations described in Louisiana Civil Code (CC) § 3492 states that accident victims are only allowed one year to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, under certain conditions, you might qualify for an extension. Consult our experienced attorneys to learn the deadline that applies to your case.
As long as one year has not passed from the date of your collision or your loved one’s death, you may still be entitled to sue for damages. However, after this deadline passes, your lawsuit may be dismissed, leaving you without the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Our legal team urges you to make the smart decision and reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney immediately after a bike crash. Doing so will allow them to file your motorcycle accident claim before the deadline.
Meet With a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Free
If you or a loved one are a motorcycle accident victim, the team at Laborde Earles can help you seek damages to cover your medical expenses, cope with accident-related pain and emotional distress, and deal with other losses.
Contact us today to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyer. They’ll review the details of your case, explain your rights, and determine if you are eligible to pursue compensation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
