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 end up sustaining far more serious injuries than the negligent party.
If you or a loved one is recovering from a bicycle accident, you might be able to recover damages, such as your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A New Iberia bicycle accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can protect your rights and help you 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 an accident. In many cases, injured victims are facing unpaid medical and household bills and other situations stemming from their accidents. It can be stressful.
For this reason, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is a contingency law firm. This means our New Iberia personal injury lawyers do not accept payment upfront from our clients. We only get paid if you recover compensation in your case. We then take an agreed-upon percentage if we recover a settlement award or court-ordered award for you.
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 of the way, explaining how the laws apply to your case, answering your questions, and keeping you updated on any changes. To date, we have won more than $200 million for our clients, showing how seriously we take pursuing justice for them.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer serving New Iberia, call (337)-547-2777
How We Provide Legal Support for New Iberia Bicycle Accident Victims
Trying to file legal action while treating your injuries or dealing with the loss of a loved one can be difficult. We are here to support you. During your free consultation, we will review your accident and seek to build a case proving that you should recover your damages. We 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
New Iberia Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (337)-547-2777
Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents that occur on busy roads filled with cars, trucks, and motorcycles can often result in serious injuries, including those that lead to lifelong complications and disabilities. But they can also cause minor injuries that heal within a few weeks or months.
Here are some common bicycle accident injuries you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Road rash
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputation
Click to contact our New Iberia Personal Injury Lawyers today
Recoverable Damages in a New Iberia, LA, Bicycle Accident Case
Our legal team must prove that the opposing party in your case caused your bicycle accident by acting recklessly or carelessly. We will pursue monetary awards that could help you recover the costs you incurred. Your case likely involves a range of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to your monetary losses. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical treatment, future care needs, and related costs
- Lost wages and other income
- Diminished earning ability
- Bicycle repair or replacement
- Other accident-related expenses
Non-economic damages must be assigned a monetary value. Examples of non-economic damages 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 action. This could help them recover the decedent’s end-of-life expenses, including their funeral and burial expenses.
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. We can explain your recoverable damages and how to hold the liable party accountable during your free consultation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Who Pays for the Damages After an Iberia Bicycle Accident?
Identifying the negligent party is part of our lawyer’s job. Because more than one party could be liable, it requires careful work. Injured victims usually seek compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company or other parties, depending on the case.
Negligent parties could be the bike manufacturer if your brakes fail, for instance, the driver or the driver’s company, or even the city if a city-funded road crew caused the accident.
To establish negligence, you must prove:
- The responsible party had a duty of care: The party who caused your accident had a responsibility to keep 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. Reckless drivers, for example, could be negligent.
- Their actions led to the accident: Because the other party acted with negligence, you were in an accident and sustained injuries.
- The accident caused you to suffer damages: You are experiencing economic and non-economic losses because of the accident and your resulting injuries.
Evidence We Can Use To Establish Negligence
Evidence can help our bike accident attorney in New Iberia, LA establish negligence in your case. Our team can gather evidence such as:
- Surveillance camera footage
- Witness statements
- Photos or videos you took at the scene of the accident
- Your medical records
- A police report
If you have any other evidence that supports your claims, do not hesitate to bring it to your lawyer. Any proof you have can help our bicycle accident attorneys build your case.
You Have a Limited Time to File Your Injury Case in New Iberia
According to CC Art. 3492, you must file a personal injury claim (in this case, a bicycle accident) with the civil court within one year from the day of the accident. It may seem like you have plenty of time, but it goes fast.
If you are seeking wrongful death damages and wish to file legal action, you also have only one year, 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
If your lawyer determines that the accident is not your fault after a thorough investigation, the cause of your accident may fall into one of the following categories:
Dooring
Although it is occasionally the subject of slapstick in movies, dooring is a very real thing. The term refers to someone opening their car door while stationary, unaware that someone is traveling parallel to them. In this case, the bicyclist hits the door, unable to slow down or brake in time. This is usually a case of negligence as the door opener was either distracted or didn’t check their mirrors before opening the door.
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 Accidents
Anyone can be at fault for an intersection collision, be it a drunk driver or a road work crew too distracted to notice a bicycle coming their way. Intersections are particularly hazardous for cyclists.
Other Accidents
A bicycle accident can happen in the middle of the road, too. Vehicles have blind spots that may hinder their ability to see bicycles. Even the safest driver may accidentally make a lane change into or in front of a bicycle, causing an accident.
Aggressive drivers who don’t want to share the road with bicycles may drive recklessly to get around them, which can also cause an accident in the middle of the road.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Around New Iberia
There are many factors that can lead to a bicycle accident 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 3 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 accidents are tricky. Though it may be obvious who is at fault, a cyclist has legal responsibilities they must abide by, such as:
- 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 bike accident lawyer can protect your rights and make sure you are treated fairly during the legal process.
While you can file your claims and negotiate for 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 lawsuit to exhaust all your options for recovering a fair settlement. During your free consultation, we can calculate your damages and determine how much compensation you may be entitled to for the bike crash.
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 accident. A bicyclist could be found 60% at fault and still be able to recover 40% compensation for damages from the other liable party. Our bicycle accident lawyer can determine if the pure comparative fault rule applies to your case and how much of your settlement you may be able to recover.
How Do I Start a Bicycle Accident Claim for a New Iberia Bicycle Crash?
If you’ve just been in a bicycle accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. The hospital will officially document your injuries, and you may receive a copy of this report later. You or someone you know should also take photos of your injuries on the day of the accident. You should then obtain a copy of the police report from the day of your injury.
Avoid getting your bicycle fixed or replaced until you’ve settled your claim. The damage to your bike is key evidence in your case that can prove the other party’s negligence.
Even if you decide not to follow up with a claim right away, compiling the paperwork you need immediately after the accident can save you from having to recall the day’s events months later. Next, you can meet with us during a free consultation to learn how our bicycle accident lawyer serving Iberia Parish can help.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation About Your Iberia Parish Bicycle Crash
Dealing with an injury from a bicycle accident while having to submit a claim is a painstaking process, but you don’t have to go it alone. The Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers team has more than 250 years of combined experience. We’re proud to serve accident victims and their families and help them recover fair compensation after an accident.
Contact our office for your free consultation. We’re ready to learn more about your accident and how our bicycle accident lawyer in Iberia Parish can help your case.
Call or text (337)-547-2777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
