Riding a motorcycle can provide an exhilarating way to explore the Cut Off community. Unfortunately, other drivers frequently struggle to properly share the roadways with motorcyclists.
When you have been injured while riding your motorcycle due to the inattention or recklessness of another driver, you have the right to sue for your injuries and recover money to help pay for medical expenses, property damages, or lost wages with help from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
A Cut Off motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve by filing a personal injury lawsuit. You will not owe any attorney’s fees unless we help you win your case.
Comparative Fault
Sometimes after a motorcycle accident, the injured person may not be able to recover the full amount of their damages due to a comparative fault.
Louisiana Civil Code Articles 2323 explains whenever an injured person sues for damages, their own actions leading up to the accident are on trial as well. If the plaintiff is even somewhat at fault for their injuries, the amount of money they can recover is reduced in proportion to their fault.
For example, if a driver changed lanes without checking their blind spot and hit a motorcyclist, a jury could decide the motorcyclist had injuries worth $100,000. But, if the jury also decides the motorcyclist was speeding at the time of the accident, and is 20% at fault for the wreck, then the driver of the car will have to pay the motorcyclist $80,000.
A lawyer in Cut Off who is experienced with motorcycle accidents could investigate a crash and help determine who should be held responsible.
Motorcycle Laws
Louisiana has enacted many road safety laws, some of which relate specifically to the use of motorcycles.
When a motorcyclist ignores these rules, they are more likely to have a portion of the fault for an accident assigned to them. With that in mind, it is important for motorcycle riders to follow the rules so they are less likely to get into accidents in the first place, and are less likely to be assigned fault if an accident does happen. Some of these laws include:
- Lane Splitting – Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:191.1 provides that motorcycles cannot ride with more than two motorcyclists side-by-side in a single lane, and motorcyclists may not drive between two traffic lanes or between two lines of vehicles.
- Motorcycle Endorsement – According to S. 32:408, everyone who intends to ride a motorcycle must receive an endorsement on their driver’s license.
- Protective Gear – S. 32:190 requires any person riding a motorcycle must wear a motorcycle helmet with a chin strap, and R. S. 32:190.1 requires wearing either goggles or a visor that protects their eyes, or for the motorcycle’s windshield to be high enough to provide eye protection.
- Passengers – S. 32:191 prevents a motorcyclist from carrying any passengers unless the motorcycle is designed to carry multiple people, each person is in the regular seat or a sidecar, and the passenger will not interfere with the driver’s view of the road.
A Cut Off lawyer who is familiar with motorcycle laws could help riders determine what these rules require. Additionally, when there is an accident, a lawyer can help a motorcyclist determine if they were following the relevant rules at the time of the wreck.
Call a Cut Off Attorney After Being Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries due to motorcycles’ size relative to other vehicles and the lack of an enclosed frame protecting the rider. When you have been hurt by another driver’s negligence, you deserve to have your medical expenses – and other losses – paid for.
Contact a Cut Off motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation to see how they could help you with your case. You will not pay any fees unless you win compensatory damages.
