Should I Get a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident in New Orleans?

Should I get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident in New Orleans? While not required, a motorcycle accident lawyer can recover more compensation for you than you would be able to get on your own. A New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer has the legal knowledge, negotiation skills, and resources in the community to ensure that you are not taken advantage of and receive a fair settlement.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident

Filing a claim after a motorcycle accident is par for the course, but insurance companies are not sympathetic to your situation. While they are supposed to be there in your time of need, they often try to avoid paying you by trying tactics like blame, delays, low-ball settlements, and claim denials. To protect yourself and your claim, you should get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident right away. 

The benefits of a New Orleans personal injury lawyer are that they act quickly to stop these behaviors by the insurance company and get them to pay you fairly. Your lawyer can file demand letters and make a strong case on your behalf so you are not treated unjustly. They will also fight to get you the maximum amount for the losses you suffered, so you can breathe easier knowing your expenses are covered. 

A lawyer can also help you navigate the uncertainty of accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, as well as hit-and-run accidents. In these situations, they will help you navigate your own insurance company or help you find the party responsible for hurting you. 

What to Look for When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is extremely important after a motorcycle accident, but it is also important to hire the right lawyer. You should know what to look for in a legal professional so you can trust that you are getting the most effective and favorable results possible.  Feeling comfortable with the attorney representing you is just as important as their experience and approach.

To get a lawyer whom you can trust, you should take advantage of free consultations offered by firms to get a sense of who they are and what they can do for you. Talk with a lawyer about their legal experience and what experience they have handling motorcycle accidents. You will want to ensure that they are equipped to handle the situation you are facing. Ask about their reviews and testimonials, too. 

In addition to learning about a lawyer’s experience, you will also want to find out how they plan to approach your case. Find out what your options are, what strategies they plan on using, and whether or not they plan to settle or litigate your case. All of these factors can considerably affect the outcome of your case, and you will want to make sure that they are a good fit for the needs of your case. 

How a Lawyer Helps You Demonstrate Negligence in Your Case

One of the main elements in a motorcycle accident case is demonstrating liability. This can be challenging at times and requires enough evidence to demonstrate that a driver was careless. By hiring a lawyer for a motorcycle accident in New Orleans, you have an ally who knows the ins and outs of negligence and its role in a motorcycle accident case. As such, they will show the following to be true:

• Duty of care: The driver was obligated to prevent harm, remain alert to your presence, and drive cautiously to ensure your safety. 
• Breach of duty: The driver acted carelessly and failed to uphold their responsibility for any number of reasons. 
• Causation: Because the driver was not taking appropriate measures to ensure safety, their actions resulted in an accident that left you injured and suffering a variety of losses. 
• Damages: The driver is required to make reparations and pay you for your financial losses, including your pain and suffering if applicable

Additionally, your lawyer can also help you if you are found partially at fault for the accident. Because of pure comparative negligence in Louisiana, you will still be able to recover compensation as long as you are less than 100% at fault. Any compensation will be reduced by your level of fault, but a lawyer can help you reduce your liability so you do not lose valuable compensation. 

A Lawyer Can Help You Secure Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

A lawyer can help you secure the compensation you need after a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies often resist paying you what you deserve so they can protect their bottom line. They may delay your claim, offer a low settlement, or deny your claim on a technicality. However, a lawyer for a motorcycle accident knows the tactics they will use and is prepared to demand better on your behalf. 

With their help, your lawyer will advocate for you and negotiate a settlement for your losses before the two-year prescription for action expires. They will make sure all expenses are identified so the value of your losses can be used to secure the maximum compensation in your claim. They also protect your rights so insurance companies and opposing parties do not try to take advantage of you in the process. 

Common losses that a lawyer can help you recover are medical costs, motorcycle repair costs, lost wages, and funeral and burial expenses if the accident resulted in a fatality. Additionally, you may also be able to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, decreased quality of life, and loss of companionship. A lawyer can provide more clarity based on your situation. 

Contact Your Trusted Team at Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers

Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers stand by you when you are dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in New Orleans. Our team fights for the win every time and provides you with the exceptional service you deserve. 

We put you first and tailor our strategy to the needs of your case.  Reach out to our team today to schedule your free consultation and get started with filing your claim.