Motorcycle accidents frequently happen when drivers fail to spot riders. However, motorcyclists can also be at fault for collisions. Contact The team at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers at (504) 323-6000 for an inital consultation.
These accidents happen for many reasons, but inexperience, intoxication, or aggressiveness will often play a role.
Knowing what to do if you were hit by a motorcycle in Metairie, LA, is essential to protecting your legal rights. We can help you pursue an injury claim against any motorcyclist responsible for injuring you.
Contact our law office today for a free consultation with a Metairie motorcycle accident lawyer.
How Can Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers Help if You Were Hit by a Motorcycle in Metairie, LA?
At Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 26 years of combined experience representing injured people in Metairie, Louisiana. We know how to fight powerful insurance companies, and we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
If you were injured in a crash caused by a motorcyclist, our Metairie personal injury lawyers can:
- Listen to you explain your accident and the injuries you suffered
- Develop a legal strategy and gather evidence to build a case
- Prepare an insurance claim and work with the insurer to resolve it
- File suit against the other driver if their insurer denies coverage
A collision with a motorcycle can injure both you and the motorcyclist. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can pursue compensation from the motorcyclist and their insurer.
Steps to Take After Being Hit by a Motorcycle
Louisiana law imposes several legal requirements after a vehicle accident that causes injury or death. Whether you were a pedestrian hit by a motorcycle or in a collision involving a car or other vehicle, you should take steps to protect your legal right to compensation.
Consider taking the following steps after a motorcycle crashes into you.
Stop at the Scene
You must stop at the accident scene. If you fail to do so, you may have committed a hit-and-run, even if the motorcyclist was at fault for the crash. If you leave the scene, the police officers investigating the crash will not get your side of the story and may incorrectly fill out the accident report.
Assist Anyone Who Is Injured
Louisiana law requires that, if it is safe for you to do so, you must seek medical help to assist anyone injured in the crash. In most cases, motorcyclists will suffer more serious injuries than motorists, even if they are wearing a helmet.
On the other hand, if you were walking when the motorcycle hit you, you might be more severely injured. Pedestrians have no protection when they are hit by a motorcycle. As a result, you might suffer head or spine injuries if the motorcycle knocks you to the ground.
Report the Accident
Louisiana requires you to report any accident involving injury or death immediately. If you have a cell signal, you should contact the police and request an ambulance if needed.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
Your right to seek injury compensation depends on what happened and, more importantly, who caused it. Photos of the accident scene and the vehicles can help establish the sequence of events that led to the collision. Take pictures of your injuries to help prove when and how they occurred.
Seek Prompt Medical Care
Visit a doctor or an emergency room as appropriate for your injuries. A medical practitioner can diagnose any injuries — including hidden ones, such as a concussion or torn joint cartilage. Also, the medical records created during your visit document the cause and timing of your injuries as well as the prescribed treatment plan.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions in Metairie
Motorcyclists collide with cars for many reasons, including the following.
Intoxication
According to various sources, motorcyclists have a higher rate of drunk driving than automobile drivers. When a motorcyclist hits you, it’s possible that the rider was impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Speeding
Motorcyclists are often tempted to speed. Because of their large engines and small size, motorcycles have a higher power-to-weight ratio. They usually can accelerate faster than heavier cars, vans, and SUVs, making it easier to speed on a motorcycle.
Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Motorcycles are more maneuverable than larger vehicles. Operators sometimes use this maneuverability to weave across traffic lanes, allowing them to move faster than the traffic flow.
Who Is Liable if a Motorcycle Hits You in Louisiana?
The liability for car accidents falls on the negligent road user. Negligence means that a driver did something unreasonably dangerous, such as violating traffic laws. Thus, even though a motorcyclist might suffer more severe injuries than you, they might also bear the liability for your injury-related losses.
The one caveat is that, in Louisiana, if your actions contributed to the crash, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were 12% at fault for a collision, you can only recover compensation for 88% of your losses.
Contact Our Experienced Metairie Motorcycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Initial Consultation
Motorcycle accident injuries can leave you with large medical bills and long-term disabilities. If you were hit by a motorcycle in Metairie, you need the guidance of an experienced accident attorney.
Contact Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. You can discuss your accident with a Metairie personal injury attorney and learn how we can help you pursue compensation under Louisiana law.