LaPlace Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a motorcycle-related collision? Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are often far more dangerous than those that only involve passenger vehicles because riders do not have the same amount of protection as other drivers. 

As a result, it would not be surprising to learn that your injuries are grave, as the victim of a collision. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be confusing, but we hope you know you’re not alone—let a LaPlace motorcycle accident lawyer help you. 

At Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have 121 years of combined legal experience and counting. We’ve recovered over $100 million for people just like you. As your LaPlace personal injury lawyer, you can trust us to advocate for your rights at all times.

Motorcycle Accident Liability in Louisiana 

In Louisiana, liability for a motorcycle accident is determined by the concept of fault, which is central to the state’s civil law system. Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, meaning that fault for an accident can be shared by more than one party. 

Determining liability in a motorcycle accident can be challenging, as there are often multiple parties involved. However, your motorcycle accident attorney in LaPlace will know what it takes to identify the at-fault party and pursue justice in response to their findings. 

In doing so, your LaPlace motorcycle accident lawyers will start by looking at what could have caused the crash in the first place. Here are some common causes of motorcycle-related collisions:

• Negligence of other drivers: Often, motorcycle accidents occur when other drivers on the road fail to notice or yield to motorcyclists. Due to their smaller size, motorcycles can be harder for other vehicles to spot, especially if they are situated in blind spots or making turns. Drivers who fail to look for motorcycles before changing lanes, making turns, or merging into another lane can cause serious collisions.
• Road hazards: Poor road conditions—such as potholes, uneven pavement, or debris in the roadway—can contribute to motorcycle collisions. Unfortunately, these hazards can cause motorcyclists to crash after losing control of their bikes.
• Motorcycle malfunctions: In some cases, a malfunction with the motorcycle itself could contribute to an accident. Mechanical failure—such as brake or tire malfunctions—can cause the rider to lose control of the bike, leading to a crash. In these cases, the manufacturer or mechanic responsible for maintaining the motorcycle may share liability.
• Alcohol and drug use: Both alcohol and drug use can contribute to motorcycle-related incidents. Louisiana has strict laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI), but impaired drivers are still a risk on the road. 

Ultimately, the more responsible a party is for an accident, the higher their share of the liability. For example, if the injured motorcyclist is found to be partially responsible for the crash, the amount of compensation they can recover may be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. 

However, this does not mean that those who are partially at fault cannot recover damages. Under Louisiana’s comparative fault rule, individuals who are less than 100% responsible for the accident can still pursue compensation for their injuries. 

For example, if the motorcyclist was found to be 30% responsible for the accident, they could still recover 70% of the total damages from the at-fault parties. 

Motorcycle Safety Laws in Louisiana 

To help prevent motorcycle accidents, Louisiana has enacted a number of laws designed to prioritize and enhance the safety of riders on the road. 

Understanding and abiding by these laws is important for anyone who rides a motorcycle in the state, especially because failing to comply can result in major collisions as well as legal consequences. 

Here are a handful of examples of important motorcycle safety laws in Louisiana:

• Helmet law: Louisiana law requires both riders and passengers alike to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. This is a must seeing as helmets reduce the risk of head injuries in the event of a crash. Riders who fail to wear helmets are subject to fines, and they might even face increased liability in the event of an accident.
• Motorcycle endorsement: Riders must have a valid motorcycle endorsement or license to operate a motorcycle. This ensures that riders have passed the necessary skills tests to operate the bike safely and understand the rules of the road.
• Lane splitting: Lane splitting—or riding between lanes of traffic—is illegal. Motorcyclists must stay in their lanes, even during traffic jams. Lane splitting can be dangerous because it places the motorcyclist in close proximity to other vehicles, which increases the risk of accidents.
• Headlights: Louisiana law requires all motorcycles to have their headlights on at all times when operating their bikes on public roads. This rule improves visibility and helps other drivers see motorcyclists more easily.
• Minimum age for riding: Riders must be at least 15 years old to operate a motorcycle in Louisiana, and those under the age of 18 must complete an approved motorcycle safety course before legally obtaining a license. 

When you meet with a LaPlace motorcycle accident attorney, your legal counsel can help you understand if any of these laws were broken or otherwise not upheld, resulting in the collision that left you injured. 

Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Louisiana

Like all drivers in Louisiana, motorcyclists are required to carry minimum liability insurance to cover potential damages in the event of an accident. Louisiana’s minimum insurance requirements for motorcycles include:

• Bodily injury liability: Riders must have a minimum coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident to cover any injuries that are sustained by others in an accident caused by the motorcyclist.
• Property damage liability: Motorcyclists are required to carry a minimum coverage amount of $25,000 for the sake of covering property damage caused by the motorcyclist in an accident.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Although this type of insurance is not mandatory, it is recommended that motorcyclists carry both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to protect themselves in the event that the at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage.

Contact Our LaPlace Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today  

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle-related incident, we understand the challenges and hardships you’re likely facing. The road to recovery can be long and complicated, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

Reach out to Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers today. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in LaPlace have the experience it takes to successfully handle cases just like yours. You can trust us to advocate for you and fight for the compensation you deserve. 

We are here to guide you through every step of the legal process. It all starts with you calling us for help. Don’t wait to contact us—we’re here for you. The sooner you call our motorcycle accident law firm in LaPlace, the sooner we can start working on your case.