The more complex or devastating your motorcycle accident was, the longer it can take to secure a settlement. Multiple parties may have played a role, which can require a lengthier investigation. Even if you can identify the liable party right away, the insurance companies often fight against paying out higher claims. In many cases, settlement negotiations involve a lot of back and forth as you strive for fair compensation.
Overall, this process can unfold over weeks or months following an accident. If you or your loved one suffered harm from a motorcycle accident, you deserve to have a legal team fighting for your financial recovery. Our Louisiana personal injury lawyers will stand up for you and work to keep your case on track and moving forward. If negotiations stall, we can take the fight to court.
Factors That Impact the Timeline of a Motorcycle Accident Case
When you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Louisiana, the recovery can be difficult and time-consuming. While you may be tempted to take a quick settlement from the insurance company, impatience can result in significantly lower compensation than your case warrants.
Even though it often takes longer to negotiate a fair claim or take your case to court, you should not have to spend the rest of your life paying for an accident that was someone else’s fault. Therefore, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney to assist with your insurance claim negotiations and motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Several factors can impact how long it takes to settle a motorcycle accident case:
Injuries and Recovery
Motorcycle accidents are especially dangerous to riders, as they have very little protection. While passenger vehicles have panels and windshields that are designed to withstand impacts, motorcyclists do not have the same barriers.
In an accident, the motorcyclist’s body is often hit with the full force of the impact, which causes more significant injuries and higher fatality rates. Common injuries from motorcycle accidents include:
- Road rash, cuts, and bruises
- Head and face injury
- Broken bones
- Crushed ribs and internal injuries
- Spinal damage and paralysis
- Loss of body parts
- Traumatic brain injury
The severity of your injuries can have a major impact on the length of your case. For example, motorcycle accident cases usually proceed once a victim is close to achieving a complete recovery. You will want to have an idea of when you will reach maximum recovery and whether your injuries will have lasting health consequences.
It can take time to determine your prognosis, which is why our team will review your medical records closely as we build your case. We may consult with medical professionals, as well. Our goal is to account for your current and future medical expenses related to the motorcycle accident.
In addition, more money is typically on the line in cases involving catastrophic injuries, making them harder to settle. Insurance companies are more likely to devalue your claim.
Investigations
As with any accident involving more than one party, motorcycle accidents involve a detailed investigation process. Our legal team will investigate the accident in detail as we aim to represent our client’s interests. This process may involve:
- Tracking down and interviewing witnesses
- Contacting experts to review the details of the collision and your injuries
- Visiting the accident scene
- Requesting and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses
- Going over your medical records
- Documenting your physical, financial, and emotional damages
Louisiana law gives a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Depending on your recovery period, this can leave very little time for you to build your case, conduct negotiations, and file a lawsuit. An attorney with experience handling Louisiana motorcycle accident cases will know how long you have to file a case and ensure that you don’t miss your legal deadlines by handling these tasks for you.
Insurance Claims
On top of the investigation process, the claims process will usually occur with several parties sharing their version of events. Insurance companies may conduct interviews with any drivers, motorcycle riders, witnesses, pedestrians, and anyone else connected to the accident.
Once we present a case to the insurance company, it may choose to accept the claim and offer a settlement or reject the claim outright. If the offer does not appropriately address your damages, we can enter negotiations and fight for another offer. Otherwise, we may advise you to proceed with a civil lawsuit, which will extend your case further.
In some cases, an insurance company will attempt to delay the claim beyond the statute of limitations to reduce your bargaining power. A motorcycle accident lawyer will recognize these tactics and keep your filing on the right legal timeline.
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Seeking Financial Awards for Your Losses and Damages
If another party’s reckless or careless behaviors caused the accident that injured you or a loved one, this may entitle you to receive financial compensation for your damages. Some potentially recoverable damages are as follows:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Medical appointments
- Medication
- Therapeutic intervention
- Rehabilitation programs
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property loss and damage
If you are injured due to someone else’s negligent actions, you should not have to pay for the resulting injuries you suffered. A motorcycle accident attorney can examine your case and place a financial value on your losses so you can claim the compensation you deserve.
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How Our Legal Team Can Help With Your Case
Once our lawyers come to your aid, you can expect us to take care of each phase of your case and guide you toward financial recovery. We will assist you by constructing a case that advocates for your rights.
Our team will also communicate on your behalf when necessary, which means you will not have to worry about conversations involving law enforcement, other drivers, insurance companies, and anyone else who plays a role in your case.
Our legal team will also represent you as we go after any forms of compensation that you may be owed. We will fight for you as we seek to settle with any liable parties. If we cannot negotiate a settlement in your case, we may decide to file a lawsuit.
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The Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Louisiana
The statute of limitations outlined in CC Art. 3492 explains how victims who sustain a personal injury from an accident in Louisiana have up to one year after the incident to take legal action. When a victim fails to act within the statute of limitations, they give up their rights to do so.
One way to avoid complications with state laws like these is to connect with our attorneys as soon as possible after an accident. With this approach, you give our lawyers time to get started on building a case that supports your position as a victim.
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Let Our Lawyers Do the Legal Work for You
When you work with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you benefit from decades of experience with Louisiana vehicle accident cases and personal injury laws. Our attorneys will conduct negotiations on your behalf, so you can save your time and energy for recovery.
Insurance companies may begin with a lowball settlement or ask for a statement from you, then use these statements to reduce the settlement amount. You can limit the risk of leaving money on the table by letting your attorney handle these communications. An attorney who has handled motorcycle accident cases in Louisiana will be ready for the insurance company’s tactics and able to counter them.
The Cost of Hiring Our Firm
Our team is here to protect your right to fair compensation throughout the claims process. Moreover, we offer our services for a contingency fee, so you pay nothing upfront. We only take payment as a percentage of the damages secured for each client our firm represents.
This fee policy empowers you to hire legal help without worrying about additional financial burdens. Our initial consultations are also free, so there is no risk to reaching out about your case today.
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Motorcycle accident settlements take some time to complete. By working with our legal team, you can take your mind off legal complexities and place your attention on your health, family, and personal life. You can trust us to negotiate on your behalf and chase down any potential compensation that you may be owed in the form of a settlement or court award.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we are here to make the legal process as simple as possible for you and your loved ones. Our team of lawyers will represent your position for the length of your case. If you are looking to speak to someone in our office about your situation, call today.
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