Proving Negligence After a Lake Charles Bicycle Accident

Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §32:76.1 promotes bicyclist safety by requiring vehicle drivers to take precautions when passing bikes and to do so only when it is safe. Proving the at-fault driver in your bike accident did not pass you safely or follow traffic laws might enable you to seek financial recovery.

The at-fault driver might have been negligent if they:

  • Owed you a duty of care
  • Neglected their duty
  • Caused the accident
  • Caused your financial damages

If a vehicle driver’s negligence caused your bicycle crash and resulting injuries, a Lake Charles bicycle accident attorney could help you seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver. Our team can help you prove the duty, breach, cause, and damages and establish your right to monetary compensation.

Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Lake Charles Will Identify the At-Fault Party

While negligent drivers are often the party responsible for bicycle accidents, others can also be liable. Depending on the specifics of your case, you can hold entities such as government agencies or vehicle manufacturers accountable for their actions.

The following parties could be responsible for your Lake Charles bicycle accident:

Government entities

Assess whether hazardous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poorly designed intersections contributed to the crash. If so, government agencies responsible for road maintenance may be held liable.

Vehicle manufacturers

Investigate whether any defects or malfunctions in the bicycle or other vehicles contributed to the crash. If a defective product caused or contributed to the incident, the manufacturer could be held accountable.

Property owners

Examine if the accident occurred due to hazardous conditions on private property. The property owner may bear responsibility if there is inadequate maintenance, improper signage, or dangerous obstacles.

Third parties

Consider if the actions of pedestrians, other cyclists, or even other third parties, such as contractors or delivery drivers, contributed to the accident.

After carefully reviewing the details of your case, our Lake Charles bike accident attorneys can identify the liable parties for your collision. We will use a wide range of evidence to build a strong case against the defendant.

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Add These Documents to Your Lake Charles Bicycle Accident Case File

Our attorneys work hard to establish the cause of your accident, the liability of the at-fault driver, and the financial value of your injuries. This often requires a wide range of documents and photos related to the incident. We also work hard to build a compelling claim to support your right to financial recovery.

The case file we build for you may contain the following documents:

  • Crash report
  • Medical records
  • Medical bills
  • Witness statements
  • Injury photos
  • Accident scene photos
  • Available video footage
  • Employment records
  • Damage estimates
  • Vehicle value

We might request additional proof to help establish the at-fault driver’s liability. Keep a file containing any item you believe is supportive in your case and share it with a team member. A powerful case file can help us prove the cost of the accident to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

An Accident Report Can Strengthen Your Case

Personal injury lawyers might use details in your crash report to prove the circumstances that led to the incident. The RS §32:398 details the importance of an accident report. Take a copy of the document to a personal injury attorney to strengthen your claim.

The bike crash report can contain the following information:

  • Details about the circumstances of the crash, like if you were in a bike lane.
  • Contact information for those involved, including witnesses.
  • The type and size of the at-fault vehicle.
  • Any violations the driver committed.
  • The movements and maneuvers made before the collision.

Whether or not driver distraction, inattention, or impairment contributed to the accident.

Financial Recovery After a Lake Charles Bicycle Accident

As a bicycle collision victim, you may experience severe injuries that can lead to high medical bills, an inability to return to work immediately, prolonged recovery, and long-term rehabilitation. With the guidance and direction of a bicycle accident lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, you might qualify to recover these financial damages:

  • Current medical care
  • Future medical care
  • Current income loss
  • Future income loss
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Physical disability
  • Physical disfigurement
  • Property damage
  • Property destruction

Defining the financial expenses and losses of your bicycle accident can be complicated. Our team may help you carefully track your expenses to ensure none are omitted.


We Also Take Wrongful Death Cases

Our bicycle accident attorneys in Lake Charles, LA, can help you with catastrophic or fatal bicycle accidents. Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury can quickly happen if an automobile accident crashes into a bicycle.

A wrongful death claim is similar to a personal injury claim but with some significant differences. Contact our law office immediately if you’ve lost a loved one in a bicycle accident. We’ll work to get you the most out of your wrongful death damages.

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Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle, you might hold the at-fault driver financially responsible for the cost of the crash. You only have a limited time if you seek compensation for your injuries.

Louisiana law generally entitles you to file your personal injury lawsuit two years from the accident date. If you are the surviving family member of a fatal bicycle accident victim, this statute also entitles you to two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit.

You must meet either of these filing deadlines to avoid seeking financial compensation. When our team gets involved in your case early, we can help file your case on time and protect your right to compensation.

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Call Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Lake Charles, LA, Today

When you are ready to prove your case, value your claim, and negotiate a financial settlement, call Laborde Earles. Our law firm has over 350 years of combined legal experience representing accident victims in Louisiana.

Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not charge you anything unless and until you obtain a financial award. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

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