Motorcycle accidents can be devastating and cause life-changing repercussions. Thousands of people are injured or killed yearly due to traffic accidents caused by other drivers’ negligence or recklessness.
If you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident in Maxie, you could face mounting medical expenses and other consequences, such as lost wages at work.
After an accident, you might be wondering what to do next. There are specific steps that you should take immediately to protect your claim. Contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer is vital as it helps you successfully pursue compensation for your damages.
Role of a Maxie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Suppose you were recently involved in an accident, and the other party involved in the crash is found to be at fault for the accident, and their negligence caused your injuries. In that case, you can pursue compensation for your losses and damages.
After you reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney. Your motorcycle lawyer will get to work and begin doing the following items for your case:
- Explain your rights and answer your questions
- Provide legal advice and guidance
- Help you understand how the insurance industry works
- Provide you with information about your case
- Help to build a strong case
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if your case proceeds to trial
Your personal injury lawyer will gather evidence from witnesses, experts, and other sources to prove the facts of your case. For example, if you were riding a motorcycle when struck by another driver’s vehicle, your experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
This includes gathering details like who was driving the car, where the accident occurred, and whether there were obstructions that contributed to the collision.
What Else You Can Expect From a Maxie Motorcycle Accident Attorney
A Maxie motorcycle accident lawyer will have experience handling multiple similar cases. As a result, they will know how to handle your case efficiently and effectively.
If your case goes to trial, your personal injury attorney will prepare all necessary documents and ensure you are well-represented during the proceedings. This means that they will ensure that you receive a fair outcome.
An experienced attorney also has access to resources that can help you receive more financial compensation than you would have without their assistance. These resources may include:
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert reports
- Police reports
- Records of prior settlements
- Other financial documentation
The process of recovering compensation after an accident can be complicated. Hiring a skilled Maxie motorcycle accident injury lawyer who knows how to navigate this complex system is important.
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Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are often due to the same factors and behaviors contributing to car accidents. However, motorcycle riders in the United States are more likely to be involved in fatal road mishaps. Regardless of the type of bike you’re riding, these six common causes contribute to motorcycle accidents:
Lack of Licensing or Improper Licensing
If you’re driving without a license or the police revoked it for a reason like driving under the influence (DUI), drug convictions, or multiple convictions, you’re possibly more likely to crash and drive your bike illegally.
Alcohol Use
Alcohol impairs judgment and the ability to handle stress, and it also impairs your reaction time while driving a vehicle. Drinking too much can impair your decision-making ability and lead to several dangerous behaviors, such as weaving on the road or aggressive driving, that can cause an accident.
Drowsy and Distracted Driving
Drowsy driving is when a driver falls asleep at the wheel and forgets to turn on the lights or activate the brakes. A distracted driver may reach down and adjust the stereo or turn on the lights just before the crash occurs, known as a “preventable collision.”
Conscience of Negligence
Negligence occurs when a driver fails to yield, stop, or slow down for other drivers or cyclists in a safe manner, forcing them into an accident or injuring someone else in the process.
Dismal Driving Records and Poor Driving Behavior
Motorcycle accidents have a higher fatality rate than regular vehicle accidents, but that doesn’t mean drivers are exempt from fatal mistakes. Even if you’re not drinking or speeding, reckless behavior can still lead to accidents. For example, a motorcyclist with a poor driving record may drive aggressively, tailgate, or fail to signal turns.
Improper Maintenance and Repair
A poorly maintained vehicle could be unsafe, even deadly if it’s outfitted with faulty parts or components. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 25% of motorcycles sold in the U.S. are recalled yearly because they contain potentially defective parts.
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How Can I Get Compensation After a Bike Accident?
Injured victims of bicycle accidents can pursue legal action against the person responsible for causing the accident. To recover damages from a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove that a negligent driver or pedestrian caused your accident.
This means proving that you were owed a duty of care by the defendant, which required them to act reasonably and avoid harming you. If another party’s negligent actions injured you, you could sue them for monetary compensation.
In addition to suing the negligent party, contacting an experienced Maxie motorcycle accident attorney will help you understand what happened and determine whether you have grounds for a claim. You will need to gather evidence about the incident, including witness statements and photos of the crash scene.
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Ways to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents
You might think that motorcycling is all about the thrill of the ride and the freedom of open-road cruising, but it’s important to remember that every motorcyclist is a passenger.
When you’re out on the open road, here are some things you should do to ensure your safety and that of other road users:
- Always wear a helmet: By law, wearing a helmet while riding is required. Even if you’re a very experienced rider, you should always wear a helmet when driving a motorcycle.
- Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or the Advanced RiderCourse (ACC): The courses are free and available online. They’ll teach you how to avoid crashes, help you recognize hazards and crash positions, and analyze traffic patterns for motorcycle safety.
- Slow down and follow traffic laws: Don’t cut in or out of traffic or zip through intersections at high speed. You should react quickly and safely when an emergency arises, such as someone pulling out in front of you or side-swiping your bike.
- Don’t take risks with your motorcycle: Don’t let the thrill of speeding past traffic get the best of you and cause you to weave in and out between cars or try risky stunts on the open road. Always ensure your bike is road-worthy by checking it before leaving your garage.
- Wear bright, visible clothes: You want to be seen differently at night than in the daytime. Ensure your outfit has reflective accents, like reflective tape on the back of your jacket, the sides of your pants, or reflective leg bands extending below the knee. Also, consider a headlight cover to keep the light focused in front of your face when it’s dark.
- Ride sober: Riding drunk is dangerous as you’ll be more likely to get into a crash, hurting yourself or others if you’re not paying attention to the road. Riding under the influence also puts you at risk of being pulled over by police and getting a DUI charge.
- Stay alert: If you’ve been up all night, you may feel relaxed and have trouble staying awake while riding. This could lead to drowsy driving, which increases your chances of crashing.
- Get regular tuneups: Your bike needs routine maintenance to work properly. Consult your manufacturer’s guide if you have any questions about your vehicle.
- Avoid distractions: Distractions can be deadly. Never use cell phones or text messages while riding your motorcycle. Keep them off until you reach your destination.
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What Should I Do After a Bike Accident Injury?
After a motorcycle crash, you may feel physically and emotionally drained. It’s crucial to take some time off to heal. Avoid anything strenuous until you’ve had adequate rest and medical treatment.
While recovering, ensure you stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods. Try to get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and don’t overwork yourself. When you return to work, ask your employer to provide accommodations so you can continue working safely.
Filing a Motorcycle Claim
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to file a claim to recover damages for your injuries and other losses. However, you may wonder if your case is still viable. It’s important to know that there is a time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit or insurance claim after an injury occurs.
Under Louisiana state law CC Art. 3492, claims for motorcycle accidents should be filed within one year from the accident date. This one-year time limit also applies to wrongful death cases related to motorcycle accidents, starting from the date that the victim dies.
Your legal claim may be deemed invalid if you don’t file for compensation within this time limit. In rare cases, such as situations involving fraud or where the victim doesn’t discover their injury until later, the clock may start running at a different time than when the incident occurred.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
In order to file a personal injury claim, you must first obtain proof of your injury. You can do this through medical records, photographs, witness statements, and other documentation. Once you have these documents, you need to contact a lawyer who specializes in personal injury litigation. Your attorney will help you gather evidence and prepare your claim.
Once you have enough information to prove your case, you’ll need to decide whether to pursue a settlement with the defendant or go to trial. If you choose to settle, you may want to consider accepting less money than what you deserve. A personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate a fair settlement amount.
A personal injury lawyer can also help you determine whether it makes sense to sue the driver responsible for causing your accident. For example, if you were hit by a drunk driver, it might not make sense to sue him. Instead, you could focus on suing his employer for failing to prevent him from driving under the influence.
A personal injury lawyer can also advise you on whether it would be beneficial to join forces with another person involved in the accident. For instance, if you are hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may want to join forces with the driver of the other vehicle to seek compensation for your injuries.
You may also want to consult a personal injury lawyer if you’re considering filing a lawsuit against a third party. For example, if a company has failed to maintain its premises properly, you may want to file suit against them.
When choosing a personal injury lawyer, look for someone who has experience handling similar types of cases. The more experience they have, the better prepared they will be to handle your situation.
If you hire a lawyer who isn’t experienced in dealing with motorcycle accidents, he or she may not be able to provide you with the best representation possible.
The Importance of Insurance Claims
When you file a claim for compensation, you’ll likely be required to submit certain forms to your insurer. These include:
• An insurance policy number
• Proof of ownership of the vehicle involved in the crash
• Medical bills incurred as a result of the crash
• Photographs of the damage done to your vehicle
• Witness statements
• Other relevant documentation
Insurance companies often require that you sign an agreement before paying out any money. This is called a “waiver” or “release.” It states that you agree to give up all rights to pursue further claims against the defendant.
Waivers aren’t always necessary, but they can protect both parties. For example, if the defendant was speeding and caused the collision, then waiving your right to sue him may allow him to avoid being held liable for damages.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Case Cost?
Personal injury lawsuits can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 per month. However, most people don’t recover their full costs because of legal fees and other expenses.
In addition, some lawyers charge hourly rates. Others bill based on how much time they spend working on your case. Some firms offer flat-fee packages that cover everything related to your case.
Regardless of which option you choose, you should expect to pay at least $1,500 to $2,500 upfront. You may also need to pay additional fees when you receive settlement offers from defendants. The difference at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is we work on a contingency basis, so you do not pay any upfront fees.
What Should I Do If My Motorcycle Was Damaged During an Accident?
If your motorcycle was damaged during an accident, you should contact a local auto body shop to get estimates on repairing your bike.
If you decide to repair your own motorcycle, make sure you use only quality parts. In addition, you should take pictures of the damage to your bike and keep those photos handy.
If you decide to sell your motorcycle, you should list it online using sites like eBay.com. Be sure to include detailed information about the condition of your bike, including any repairs made.
If you decide not to repair your motorcycle yourself, you may want to consider hiring a professional mechanic to fix it.
You should also call your insurance company to report the accident. They may ask you to fill out paperwork regarding the incident.
Once you’ve filed a claim, you’ll probably receive several letters from your insurance company. Make sure you read these carefully. They contain important details about your claim, such as what documents you must provide to support your claim.
When you’re ready to settle with the defendant, you’ll have to send them copies of your medical records and photographs of your injuries.
The final step is to wait until your case has been settled. Then, you’ll receive a check from your insurance company.
Contact Us Today!
At Laborde Earles Injury Law Firm, our goal is to help injured people obtain justice. We know how frustrating it can be dealing with insurance companies who are trying to deny your claim. That’s why we fight hard for our client’s interests.
We understand that filing a personal injury lawsuit can be stressful. But we promise to handle your case in a timely manner and to keep you informed every step of the way.
To learn more about how we can help you, please contact us today.
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Legal Counsel
The trauma can be brutal if you’ve suffered injuries and other damages after a Maxie motorcycle accident. Knowing your options for legal recourse is essential after a crash.
Consult Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to understand your legal options and receive help pursuing your claim. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your situation and help you decide whether filing a claim is right for you.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
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