Motorcycle accidents can be devastating and cause life-changing repercussions. Thousands of people are injured or killed every year due to traffic accidents caused by other drivers’ negligence or recklessness. If you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident in Maxie, you could be facing 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
If 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, you can pursue compensation for your losses and damages. After you reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney, the legal professional will get to work and begin doing the following items for your case:
- Explain your rights
- Provide legal advice and guidance
- Help you build your case
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if your case proceeds to trial
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Maxie, call (337) 777-7777
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If you’re driving without a license or it was revoked for a reason like driving under the influence (DUI), drug convictions, or multiple convictions, you’re possibly more likely to crash and driving your bike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 is falling 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.
Maxie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
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. When an emergency arises, such as someone pulling out in front of you or side-swiping your bike, you should react quickly and safely.
- 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. Make sure your outfit has reflective accents, like reflective tape on the back of your jacket or the sides of your pants or reflective leg bands extending down below the knee. Also, consider a headlight cover to keep the light focused in front of your face when it’s dark.
- Ride sober and stay alert – 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.
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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, with it starting from the date that the victim dies.
If you don’t file for compensation within this time limit, your claim may be deemed invalid. 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.
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Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Legal Counsel
If you’ve suffered injuries and other damages after a Maxie motorcycle accident the trauma can be brutal. 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 us today for a free case review.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
