Any bicycle collision has the potential to be disastrous. Bikes are not built to sustain the impacts from cars, trucks, and motorcycles, nor are they designed to protect the rider against serious injuries in the event of a collision.
After a collision, you may benefit from the assistance of one of our personal injury attorneys. An Opelousas bicycle accident lawyer from our office might be able to help you prove that the liable party caused your injuries and that you deserve compensation from their insurance company.
Qualifying for Bicycle Accident Compensation in Opelousas
Traffic accidents often have many contributing factors and even multiple causes. No matter how your accident happened, an attorney from our law firm could help you look for proof of who caused your injury and seek damages. There are several ways that you could qualify for compensation following a bicycle accident.
Financial Suffering
After a bicycle accident, you may have medical bills to pay. If you are unable to work, lost wages may also take a toll on your financial stability. These are both economic damages, and you may seek compensation for them from the liable party.
Examples of economic damages may include:
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of employment/ inability to work
- Medical expenses, both past and projected
- Repair bills, especially if your bike was damaged
- Miscellaneous expenses associated with the accident
Physical and Emotional Suffering
Bike accidents can leave you with devastating physical injuries and emotional trauma. These are referred to as non-economic damages. While it may be harder to prove that you deserve non-economic damages, they are no less important.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Impaired quality of life
- Disability, both physical and intellectual
- Disfigurement
- Scar tissue
- Loss of consortium
For Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, on behalf of everyone at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we are sorry for your loss. We can tell you more about how damages work in wrongful death cases during your free consultation.
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.
ClientOur Attorneys Can Help Prove Your Bicycle Accident Case
The team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers would like to help you with your Opelousas bicycle accident case. Members of our team are standing by to evaluate your case at no cost to you. They can tell you if and how our firm may be of service to you.
If you decide to hire us, a lawyer from one of our offices can manage your entire case from start to finish, including:
- The investigation: We can build the strongest possible case by collecting evidence from all available sources, including witnesses, the authorities, and traffic cam footage.
- The paperwork: In addition to collecting documentary evidence, we can notify the liable party about your suit, prepare the settlement agreement, and more.
- All communications: We can deliver messages between you and the liable party. This way, their representatives do not get the opportunity to use your words against you.
- The negotiations: Our team can meet with the liable party’s insurance company and fight hard to get the money you need.
- The trial: If negotiations are unsuccessful, we are always willing to explore the possibility of taking your case to court. We can schedule the trial dates and argue for a jury award on your behalf.
We do not charge attorney’s fees for our services unless and until you receive a settlement. This way, you can more easily afford the legal representation you want without adding to your financial burden.
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 | ClientRights and Responsibilities for Bicyclists in Opelousas
To safely share the roadway, both bicyclists and the drivers of other vehicles must exercise reasonable caution and follow all applicable laws. When someone fails in this responsibility, it is most likely the bicyclist who suffers.
A Bicyclist’s Responsibilities
RS 32:194 requires bikers to follow the same rules of the road as motorists. This law also grants cyclists the same rights as drivers. Motorists must yield to bicycles just as they do for other automobiles. If they violate the right-of-way or break another traffic law, the driver may be at fault for any resulting injuries.
Bikers can exercise caution on the road by:
- Always paying attention to their surroundings
- Wearing protective gear, such as a helmet and reflective clothing
- Leaving ample space between the bicycle and other vehicles
- Obeying RS 32:195, which prohibits bicyclists from taking both hands off the handlebars or allowing too many people onto the bike at one time
A Driver’s Responsibilities
According to RS 32:203, there are only a handful of times when a car has legal cause to be in a bicycle lane. Generally, these situations involve motorists in the process of entering or exiting a road. In this case, the law requires that drivers occupy the bike lane for no more than 200 feet before an upcoming turn.
Cars, trucks, and motorcycles may also be allowed to enter bike lanes when emergency vehicles and first responders require clear passageways on the road.
Each of these situations demands discretion on the part of the driver entering the bike lane. When individuals fail to consider bikers’ safety, they may be liable for any resulting damages.
A Plaintiff’s Responsibilities
To file a lawsuit against the liable party, you must follow relevant state laws for taking legal action. The most urgent of these is CC Art. 3492, which gives victims just two years from the accident date to file a case. If they do not file in time, they lose the right to do so.
Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers would like to help you navigate laws like this one and pursue fair compensation for your injuries. Our lawyers can work hard to prove that the other party violated your rights and has a legal obligation to address the damage by paying you compensation.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWe Represent Bike Accident Victims in Opelousas
While bicyclists are required to follow the rules of the road just like motorists, they are also entitled to the same protection from harm. If you suffered injuries at the hands of a negligent driver, an Opelousas bicycle accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers could help you recover these losses through a civil lawsuit or out-of-court settlement. Call (337) 777-7777 to get started as soon as possible.
