A motorcycle crash can flip your whole world upside down in seconds. Between the medical bills, missed work, and the emotional weight of it all, it is hard to know where to start.
Your New Orleans personal injury lawyer at Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers has recovered over $100 million for people across Louisiana, and we are here to help you get answers and develop a plan.
If you are ready to talk with someone who listens, understands, and knows how to fight for real results, reach out to a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer on our team today. We are here when you need us.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Often Result in Severe Injuries
Motorcycle accident victims do not have the same level of physical protection as drivers in cars. There are no seatbelts, airbags, or steel frames to absorb the force of a crash. When a collision happens, the rider usually takes the full impact.
Even in a lower-speed accident, a motorcyclist can be thrown from the bike or crushed by another vehicle. That kind of exposure makes these crashes more likely to lead to catastrophic injuries and long-term recovery.
We often see injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and deep road rash. These injuries are painful, expensive, and in some cases, permanent.
If your crash was caused by someone else’s carelessness, you should not have to carry that burden alone. Your New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney with Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers builds each claim around what your life looks like now, not just what happened at the scene. When you are dealing with motorcycle accident injuries this serious, full compensation is not optional. You need it to rebuild your life.
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504-500-1111Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Crash in New Orleans
Figuring out who is liable after a motorcycle crash is not always as simple as it seems. Sometimes the person who caused the crash is obvious, but in other cases, it takes deeper investigation to uncover the full picture. Working with an experienced legal team can help you identify all parties responsible, ensuring you do not leave any compensation on the table.
When Another Driver Causes the Crash
Most motorcycle accidents start with a negligent driver who is not paying attention. That could mean someone changing lanes without checking for oncoming traffic, speeding through a stop sign, or failing to yield at an intersection. Distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence are all common causes of motorcycle crashes.
When someone else makes a reckless decision, they should be the one held accountable for the damage they cause. Even if you were doing everything right, drivers often claim they did not see the motorcycle. That does not excuse dangerous behavior.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer in New Orleans works to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and use traffic camera footage to show exactly what happened. If you suffered an injury because of another driver’s carelessness, your New Orleans car accident lawyer will help you prove liability and push for full compensation.
Other Potentially Liable Parties
Sometimes, a motorcycle crash is not just about the driver who hit you. In some cases, a defective motorcycle part caused the rider to lose control of the motorcycle. In others, the road itself may be to blame due to poor signage, worn paint, or dangerous intersections.
In those cases, the manufacturer or a government agency may share responsibility for what happened to you. Uncovering these additional issues takes experience and thorough investigation. A legal advocate who handles motorcycle cases regularly will know how to look beyond the surface and find signs of vicarious liability or third–party negligence.
From maintenance records to design flaws, our team will work to uncover any factors that may have contributed to the crash. When liability is shared among multiple parties, we ensure your case thoroughly examines every angle.
What Compensation Covers in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
A motorcycle crash can affect every part of your life, not just your wallet. Compensation should reflect your physical recovery, your lost income, and the emotional weight you have been carrying since the accident. When we build a claim, we consider the entire picture so that nothing important is left out.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the direct financial costs tied to your accident. These include medical expenses, ambulance rides, surgeries, and prescriptions.
If your injuries require long-term treatment or physical therapy, we will make sure your future care is also covered. Lost wages from missed work and the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle may be part of your claim as well.
If your ability to earn money has been reduced due to the crash, that should also be factored in. Some riders face lengthy recovery timelines or must change careers entirely.
When we calculate damages, we bring in financial professionals if needed to help show how your injuries will affect your income in the future. Your recovery should not come at the expense of your financial stability.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages focus on how the accident has changed your day-to-day life. That could mean physical pain that will not let up or the emotional toll of losing the ability to do what you used to love. Things like mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and post–traumatic stress can all be part of your claim. These are real losses, even if they are not tied to a receipt.
Your New Orleans catastrophic injury lawyer will take the time to understand what this accident has done to your overall well-being. Whether it affects how you sleep, work, or interact with your family, it matters.
These damages help support the life you are rebuilding. We are here to ensure that your claim reflects every aspect of your recovery, not just the obvious ones.
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504-500-1111How an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
When you are trying to recover from a serious crash, the last thing you need is to deal with phone calls, paperwork, or insurance pressure. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can step in to handle all of that for you, from collecting evidence to negotiating with adjusters.
We ensure the right strategy is in place, allowing you to focus on healing while we focus on achieving results.
Exploring Your Legal Options
You may have multiple legal options, including filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, seeking a settlement, or preparing for trial. Each path has its own timeline and approach, and knowing which one is right for you depends on the facts of your case and the statute of limitations under Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 1424.1 under Louisiana Senate Bill SLS-24RS-557.
If the first offer is too low or someone tries to shift the blame, we will walk you through the next steps and help you stay in control. The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to protect your rights and your recovery.
What Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney in New Orleans Will Handle
Your lawyer will handle the behind-the-scenes work that makes or breaks a case. This includes gathering police reports, collecting medical records, speaking with witnesses, collaborating with experts, and developing a damages model that reflects both short-term and long-term costs.
Your New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney also manages communication with the insurance company so you are not caught off guard by their tactics. You focus on what matters most. We will take care of the rest.
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504-500-1111How to Strengthen a Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you recently got hurt in a motorcycle crash, you may want to contact a New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A New Orleans front-end accident lawyer from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers can help you file a timely claim against the negligent parties.
Here are some tips to strengthen your motorcycle accident claim.
Contact the Police
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe property damage and injuries; therefore, it is essential to call the police immediately. They will prepare a report of the accident upon arrival at the scene.
The report may include information about the other driver’s vehicle and identity. It may also include the police officer’s opinion about the accident. Do not forget to obtain a copy of this report for your records.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Motorcyclists do not have the protection of a vehicle, so they are much more vulnerable to injuries, like road rash, head injuries, and broken bones. That is why it is essential to seek emergency medical care after your accident.
A doctor should give you a physical exam and order tests if necessary. Once your injuries are diagnosed, your doctor can recommend the proper treatment. If you delay medical care, you could put your health and injury claim at risk.
Take Photos
As a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer can confirm, photos of the motorcycle accident scene are one of the best pieces of evidence you can have.
If it is possible, take several pictures of the accident scene, including ones of your motorcycle, the other car, skid marks on the road, and traffic signals. If you have visible injuries, be sure to take photos of them as well.
Avoid Repairing Your Motorcycle
If your motorcycle sustained damage during the accident, you may be anxious to get it fixed. However, if you plan on filing a motorcycle accident claim, you should avoid repairing your bike right now. A damaged bike is one of the most critical pieces of evidence you have because it demonstrates the severity of the crash.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Instructions
After your doctor recommends a treatment for your injuries, it is essential to follow their instructions. For instance, if your doctor has advised you to attend physical therapy, you should attend all of your scheduled appointments.
Likewise, if your doctor advises you to avoid certain activities during your recovery, follow their instructions. If the insurance company finds out that you have not been listening to your doctor’s instructions, they may try to deny your claim.
Be Careful on Social Media
When you are in the middle of a motorcycle accident claim, be especially cautious on social media. The insurance company may be looking at your social media profiles to find information to use against you.
For example, if you post photos of yourself participating in activities your doctor advised you against, it could hurt your claim.
Dealing With Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists
Louisiana drivers are required to carry liability insurance, but not everyone follows the rules. That is why uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is built into most policies unless you specifically choose to waive it in writing, as described under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 22:1295.
If you were hit by someone who had no insurance or too little to cover your losses, your own policy may be the first place to look for help. A New Orleans uninsured motorist accident lawyer can review your coverage and help you file a claim under your UM or UIM policy.
We also step in when the crash involves a hit-and-run driver or when the other driver is never identified. These claims can be challenging, but we know what to request and how to properly document your damages. The goal is to protect your recovery, regardless of who was at fault or what type of insurance they carried.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in New Orleans for Help Today
Motorcycle riders place their lives in the hands of other motorists every time they get on the road. Motorcycles have all of the same rights as any other vehicle, and it is the responsibility of every driver to recognize them. It is no excuse when drivers say that they simply did not see the motorcycle.
Injuries are no less severe in motorcycle accidents, and your right to seek compensation for losses is not diminished. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident that occurred because of another driver’s negligence, it is essential that you seek the advice of a reliable motorcycle accident attorney in New Orleans.
Here at Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, we have a substantial background in handling a variety of motorcycle accident claims. If you were involved in a collision while out on your motorcycle, reach out to us today and see how we can help.
