If you’re a bicyclist, you know how dangerous traveling on a busy street can be. Not only are you at odds with vehicles much bigger than you, but you also have minimal protection should a car or truck hit you. Because of this exposure, you may suffer more severe injuries than the negligent party.
If you or a loved one is recovering from a bicycle crash, you could claim damages, such as your medical bills, lost wages, and physical therapy. A New Iberia bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm can protect your rights and review your legal options. You can start today with a free consultation.
We Can Start on Your New Iberia Bicycle Accident Case With No Upfront Payment From You
We realize that money can be tight after a collision. In many cases, injured victims are facing unpaid hospital bills and dealing with other difficult situations. It can be stressful.
For this reason, we are a contingency law firm. This means our New Iberia personal injury lawyers do not accept payment upfront from clients. We only get paid if you recover compensation in your case. After recovering a settlement or court-ordered award for you, we take an agreed-upon percentage.
We’ve Recovered Millions for Injured Clients Throughout Louisiana
We take pride in protecting our clients’ rights while fighting for their recovery. We will be there for you every step, explaining how the laws apply to your case, answering your questions, and keeping you updated on any changes. Our verdicts and settlements have totaled more than $200 million, showing how seriously we pursue justice.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientLegal Support for New Iberia Bicycle Accident Victims
Trying to file legal action while treating your bike accident injuries or dealing with losing a loved one can be difficult. We are here to support you. During your free legal consultation, we will review your crash and seek to build a case proving that you should recover your damages.
Our bicycle accident lawyers in New Iberia, LA, will:
- Gather and look over all evidence from the bicycle accident
- Talk with witnesses and record their accounts about what happened
- Identify the at-fault party and establish how they were negligent
- Assess your damages and assign your case a value
- Negotiate with the liable party’s insurer on your behalf for a settlement that meets your needs
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientRecoverable Damages in a New Iberia, LA, Bicycle Crash Case
Our legal team must prove that the opposing party in your case caused your bicycle crash by acting recklessly or carelessly. We will pursue monetary awards that could help you recover your incurred costs. Your case likely involves a range of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to your tangible financial losses. These are easy to calculate and prove with the help of supporting documents like receipts and bills.
Examples of economic damages after a bicycle crash include:
- Medical expenses, future medical bills, and related costs
- Lost wages and other income
- Diminished earning ability
- Property damages
- Bicycle repair or replacement
- Other accident-related expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages must be assigned a monetary value. Since these refer to intangible losses, like the psychological impact of the crash, they are more difficult to quantify. However, your bike accident attorney may rely on evidence, such as witness testimonies, to support your claim.
Examples of non-economic damages in a bike accident case include:
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Scarring
- Other intangible losses
Our bicycle accident lawyer in New Iberia, LA, can help you calculate the total cost of your economic and non-economic damages.
Wrongful Death Damages May Be Recoverable in Your Case
If a New Iberia bicycle accident caused fatal injuries, the victim’s qualifying relatives could seek compensation with a wrongful death lawsuit. This could help you recover the decedent’s end-of-life expenses, including their funeral and burial costs.
If this happened to your loved one, we offer our condolences and are sorry for your loss.
We know this is a hard time, so let us know how we can help your family. During your free consultation, we can explain your recoverable damages and how to hold the liable party accountable.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWho Pays for the Damages After a New Iberia Bicycle Accident?
Identifying the negligent party is part of our personal injury attorney’s job. Because more than one party could be liable, it requires careful work. Bike accident victims usually seek compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company or other parties, depending on the case.
While a negligent motorist is the at-fault party in most cases, there may be other parties to consider, depending on the case. Other negligent parties could be the bike manufacturer (if your brakes fail), the driver’s company, or even the city (if a city-funded road crew caused the collision).
An experienced attorney can help prove the main elements of negligence:
- The responsible party had a duty of care: The party who caused your crash was responsible for keeping you safe.
- Their duty of care was not upheld: You must prove that the other party violated their duty of care by acting with negligence. A careless driver, for example, could be negligent.
- Their actions led to the accident: Because the other party acted with negligence, you were in a collision and sustained injuries.
- The crash caused you to suffer damages: You are experiencing financial losses because of the accident and your injuries.
Evidence We Can Use To Establish Negligence
Evidence can help our bicycle accident attorney in New Iberia, LA, establish negligence in your case. Our lawyers can construct a strong argument to demonstrate the responsible party’s negligence by gathering and presenting relevant evidence.
Our legal team can strengthen your bike accident claim through evidence such as:
- Surveillance camera footage
- Witness statements
- Photos or videos you took at the accident scene
- Your medical records
- A police report
If you have any other evidence that supports your compensation claim, do not hesitate to bring it to your lawyer. Any proof you have can help our bicycle accident attorneys build your case.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientYou Have a Limited Time to File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit in New Iberia
According to CC 3493.1, you must file a personal injury claim (in this case, a bicycle crash) with the civil court within two years from the day of the accident. It may seem like you have plenty of time, but it passes fast.
If you seek wrongful death damages and wish to file legal action, you also have only two years, per CC 2315.2. We encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can preserve your right to sue.
Your legal team needs enough time to build a thorough case that proves the other party’s negligence and demonstrates your need for compensation. The sooner you reach out to us, the more time we have to maximize your claim.
Types of Bicycle Accidents in New Iberia, LA
After a comprehensive investigation, your bike accident attorney determines that the crash is not your fault. Armed with this finding, your lawyer can effectively argue for your rights and seek appropriate compensation from the party deemed liable for the incident.
The cause of your bike accident injuries may fall into one of the following categories:
- Dooring: The term refers to someone opening their car door while stationary, unaware that someone is traveling parallel to them. In this case, the bicycle rider hits the door, unable to slow down or brake quickly. This usually implies negligence as the door opener was distracted or didn’t check their mirrors.
- Bike lane crash: A bike lane crash is when a car or truck drifts into the bike lane and hits a cyclist. Debris left in the lane can also cause these crashes.
- Intersection collisions: Anyone can be at fault for this type of accident, be it a drunk driver or a roadwork crew too distracted to notice a bicycle coming their way. Intersections are particularly hazardous for cyclists.
- Other accidents: A bicycle collision can also happen in the middle of the road. Vehicles have blind spots that may hinder their ability to see bicycles. Even the safest driver may accidentally change lanes into or in front of a bicycle, causing a crash.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Around New Iberia
Bicycle accidents in New Iberia can occur due to various reasons. One prevalent cause is driver inattention or distraction, where motorists fail to notice cyclists sharing the road. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure, such as poorly designed or maintained bike lanes, can contribute to collisions.
Many factors can lead to a bicycle crash in New Iberia, such as:
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving, like texting and driving
- Failing to check mirrors and blind spots
- Speeding
- Improper driving maneuvers
- Failing to provide at least three feet of passing distance when overtaking a bicycle
- Road hazards, like potholes and debris
Why Should I Use a Lawyer for My New Iberia Bicycle Accident Case?
Bicycle collisions are tricky. Though it may be obvious who is at fault, a cyclist has legal responsibilities they must follow.
A Louisiana bicycle rider’s legal responsibilities include:
- Cyclists cannot cling to motor vehicles that are in motion.
- Cyclists cannot carry more passengers than the bicycle is designed to hold.
- Children aged 12 and under must legally wear a helmet.
- DUIs apply to cyclists just as they do to motor vehicle drivers.
- Cyclists must follow road rules and take care when overtaking a car.
Because of the nuances and subjectivity of Louisiana bike laws, our bicycle accident attorney can protect your rights and make sure you are treated fairly during the legal process.
While you can file your claims and negotiate a settlement on your own, you risk getting a much lower offer than your injuries are worth. We can negotiate with the other party’s insurance company and file a bicycle accident lawsuit to exhaust all your options for recovering a fair settlement.
During your complimentary consultation, we can calculate your damages and determine how much compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Comparative Fault in Iberia Parish
Louisiana follows the comparative fault rule. Per CC Art. 2323, accident victims can still seek compensation even if they are partially at fault for their crashes. A bicyclist could be found 60% at fault and still be able to recover 40% compensation for damages from the other liable party.
Our bike accident lawyer can determine how the pure comparative fault rule applies to your case and how much of your cash settlement you may be able to recover.
How Do I Start a Bicycle Accident Claim in Louisiana?
If you’ve just been in a New Iberia bicycle accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. The hospital will officially document your injuries; you may receive a copy of your medical records.
Furthermore, you or someone you know should also take photos of your injuries on the day of the crash. You should also obtain a copy of the police report from the day of your injury.
Even if you decide not to follow up with a bike accident claim immediately, compiling the paperwork you need immediately after the collision can save you from recalling the day’s events months later. You can meet with us during a free consultation to learn how our bicycle accident lawyer serving Iberia Parish can help.
Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries in New Iberia, Louisiana
Bicycle accidents that occur on busy roads filled with cars, trucks, and motorcycles can often result in severe injuries, including those that lead to lifelong complications and disabilities. However, they can also cause minor injuries that heal within a few weeks or months.
Here are some common bicycle accident injuries you may recover compensation for:
- Road rash
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputation
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation About Your New Iberia Bicycle Crash
Dealing with an injury from a bicycle crash while submitting a claim is a painstaking process, but you don’t have to go it alone. The Laborde Earles team has more than 350 years of combined experience. We’re proud to serve accident victims and their families and help them recover fair compensation.
Contact our office for your free consultation. We’re ready to learn more about your crash and how our bicycle accident lawyer in Iberia Parish can help your case.
