This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.
If you suffer injuries as a passenger in a motorcycle crash in Louisiana, you may be entitled to compensation. You can seek a settlement from the driver of the motorcycle you were on, or even from multiple drivers if other vehicles were involved.
The driver of the motorcycle’s insurance may cover a portion of your medical bills, and you can seek additional compensation for your pain and suffering caused by the accident. Discuss your case with the experienced team of Houma motorcycle crash attorneys at Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers to discover your legal options.
Why Seek Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Motorcycle accident injuries can range from minor to severe. If you are lucky, you may walk away from a motorcycle crash with only cuts and bruises and minor road rash. You could also spend weeks in the hospital recovering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
Some injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), often don’t show symptoms for days or weeks after the accident. You may also experience internal bleeding, another “invisible” injury, that can lead to death if not treated.
No matter what injuries you suffer as a passenger in a motorcycle accident, you should protect your rights by seeking compensation. With the help of the motorcycle accident lawyers at Dudley DeBosier, you can maximize your settlement to help you pay for your accident-related medical expenses and emotional damages.
Determining Who is Liable for Motorcycle Damages
If you are a passenger on a motorcycle passenger in a crash, you can recover compensation from the driver that caused the crash, whether that’s the person who was controlling the motorcycle or the driver of a car. Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine who is liable for the collision so you can file a claim against the appropriate parties.
Your legal team will look for signs of negligence, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, or distracted driving. They may also have to assess whether you contributed in any small part to your injuries by not wearing a helmet per Louisiana law.
Motorcycle-Only Accidents
If the motorcycle you are riding on is the only vehicle involved in the collision, you may need to get compensation from the motorcycle rider. If the rider acted negligently by speeding or driving under the influence, you can take legal action against them if the accident is their fault.
If the motorcycle rider is a family member or friend, filing a claim doesn’t have to be an antagonistic legal process. Your lawyer can handle negotiations for your claim with the driver’s insurance company, so you receive compensation without ever needing to go after the rider’s personal finances. Going through the insurance company allows you to obtain a fair settlement without causing issues between you and the driver.
Multiple-Vehicle Accidents
In a multi-vehicle collision, your lawyer can evaluate the other driver’s role in the accident. If they acted carelessly while driving, they may be liable for damages, including physical injuries, emotional distress, and property damage.
Studies have found that in motorcycle accidents involving a car and a motorcycle, the driver of the car is more commonly at fault. This is often because drivers of cars often do not see or even look for motorcycles before turning or changing lanes, or else they fail to give the rider of the motorcycle right-of-way or drive aggressively around them.
How Your Lawyer Can Prove Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
A motorcycle attorney from Dudley DeBosier can help you compile evidence proving that someone else caused your injuries, and then present it in such a way to earn you the maximum compensation possible. There are many types of evidence that can be used.
For example, if a driver runs a red light and struck the motorcycle you are riding on, an experienced lawyer can use:
- Witness statements from other people stopped at the light
- Video footage from the red light camera, dashcams that may have captured the collision, or even surveillance footage from businesses near the inspection
- Information from the police report
- Medical records showing your injuries and their effect on your health and life
- Paystubs showing the money you lost while unable to work while recovering from your injuries
Work With Our Compassionate Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Contact Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers to find out how our Houma motorcycle crash attorneys can help you with your claim. We offer a no-fee guarantee, so you can obtain the legal representation you need to win a lawsuit against the driver’s insurance company without upfront fees.
Contact us today to schedule your confidential, free consultation.