LAKE CHARLES MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

When you need aggressive representation after a motorcycle accident, a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer with The Johnson Firm is ready to help.

Our team will review your case and provide you with the best legal options at no cost to you. Call us today at (337) 433-1414 or reach out to us online.

Steps to take after being in a motorcycle crash

Following the steps below will go a long way toward protecting your health and strengthening your case.

1. Get to a safer location

The most important step is to ensure your safety. Analyze your situation. Are you in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic? Can you move yourself to the shoulder of the road? If you can, try to get your bike out of harm’s way. Try to help others to get to safety if possible.

2. Keep on your safety gear

Motorcycle gear is heavy, so your first instinct might be to take it off so you can see how badly you’re hurt, but doing so could actually cause major problems. Your gear could be holding injuries in place or helping to reduce bleeding. Wait until the paramedics arrive to remove any gear.

3. Call 911 and ask for police and an ambulance

Call 911 right away to get the medical help you need. Once you tell the dispatcher you’ve suffered an injury, they’ll send emergency personnel such as paramedics and police. If you can tell the dispatcher if others are hurt, that can ensure everyone receives timely medical attention.

4. Tell your side of the story to the responding police officer

The officer will want to know what happened. While you should be as honest as possible, never give any indication you were at fault. You could severely damage your case if you do. Just stick to the facts and let the officer perform their investigation.

5. Gather evidence at the scene

It will be extremely helpful to your case if you take photos and videos of the accident scene. Get photos of all damage – not only to vehicles, but also to road signs, guardrails, and anything else. Make sure you get pictures of the road, too. There could be fresh skid marks that indicate the at-fault driver tried to hit their brakes because they were speeding.

6. Notify your insurance company

Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible to tell them what happened. Again, though, just stick to the facts. Don’t say anything that the insurer could use against you in an effort to deny the compensation you deserve.

7. Visit Urgent Care or your primary care physician

The emergency medical team that arrives on the scene will likely recommend that they take you to the hospital. This is likely going to be good advice to follow because you’ll need to get checked out as soon as possible.

If you don’t want the ambulance ride, you should still get checked out as soon as you can. Adrenaline could be masking the severity of your injury. The earlier you get help, the better the chances you’ll fully recover. Seeing a doctor will also provide a record of your injury and the treatment you need. This record will be important in helping determine the compensation you have coming.

8. Meet with a motorcycle accident attorney to learn your legal options

Having a lawyer early on will protect your right to compensation and avoid insurance companies tricking you into accepting a settlement that doesn’t help anyone but themselves.

Make sure you file a claim on time

In Louisiana, you have one year from the date of the accident to take legal action. If the statute expires, you’ll no longer have any legal recourse to be awarded any damages.

Possible damages you can claim

Motorcycle accidents lead to severe injuries that are expensive to treat. Victims may be awarded damages for their property damage, as well as their other financial losses caused by the liable party. The following is a look at the different types of damages you may be able to recover.

Economic

Your Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyer will prove your economic damages through receipts or pay stubs showing the financial costs you’ve incurred. You’ll need to retain receipts to file economic damages for the following:

• Medical bills
• Prescriptions
• Rehabilitation
• Loss of wages
• Property damage

Non-economic

Non-economic damages are losses that are not financial. These often have a greater effect on your life post-motorcycle accident due to the emotional trauma that they cause. You can claim non-economic damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost earning potential
• Emotional trauma

Parties who may be liable for your injury

More than likely, the driver who hit you will be primarily responsible for the accident. But there could be other parties that may have contributed. If the car’s brakes or tires malfunction due to a defect, you might be able to sue the manufacturer. Your attorney will investigate the accident to find out all of the potentially liable parties.

How our motorcycle crash lawyers prove negligence

There are four steps that must be established to prove negligence In order to receive compensation for your motorcycle accident. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers will help you each step of the way.

Duty of care

Anyone who occupies the road is required to obey local traffic laws created for the safety measures of others on the road. Failure to meet the duty of care for motorcyclists is proven when establishing that the at-fault party did not follow the laws and regulations of the road which resulted in the motorcycle accident.

Duty of care breached

The second step that our motorcycle accident lawyers will take to prove negligence is proving that the actions caused by the driver violated the duty of care. Common actions that can result in a violation are:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Failure to yield
• Not using headlights at night
• Lane switching
• Road rage
• Driving under the influence
• Drowsy driving
• Tailgating

Causation

The next step our motorcycle accident lawyers will prove is that the breach of care resulted in the direct cause of the injury and property damage with items such as your motorcycle, helmet, and all other items with you when the accident occurred. Collecting evidence is key when proving causation, such as:

• Video recordings
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Estimates and or receipts of property damaged

Damages

In order to receive compensation to recover the cost caused by the accident, our motorcycle accident lawyers will help prove that they were caused by the at-fault party.

We fight the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation

You’re going to encounter stiff resistance from the insurance companies that represent all the parties that contributed to the accident. These insurers have deep pockets, and they also have a team of very skilled professionals who will work to deny you equitable compensation.

You’ll need a Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to defeat that formidable opposition. You’ll also need an attorney who can defeat the bias against motorcyclists that insurers often have. The attorneys with The Johnson Firm check these and many other boxes.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

These are just some of the different types of injuries that often result from motorcycle accidents:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Road rash
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Soft tissue damage
• Severe neck and back injuries

How to deal with insurance after a crash

Not only is hiring an attorney important to prove your case, it’s just as important to protect you from insurance company tactics. Insurers are notorious for sending adjusters to harass motorcycle accident victims, asking misleading questions in an effort to get victims to admit responsibility.

Our personal injury lawyers in Lake Charles won’t let that happen. We’ll handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf. You already have enough on your plate. We’ll deal with the insurer so you can focus on your recovery.

Cost of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer

The Johnson Firm works on a contingency basis, which simply means you won’t pay a dime unless you obtain the compensation you deserve. If that happens, we’ll receive a percentage of your settlement or jury award.

Why you should visit a doctor as soon as possible

As stated earlier, adrenaline can mask severe injuries. Once it wears off, the pain can be excruciating. That’s why you need to see a doctor immediately.

But seeing a medical professional will also protect your case. If you don’t get medical help, the insurance company could make a compelling argument that you’re not really injured. This could make it almost impossible for you to get the money you deserve.

Why you should hire The Johnson Firm

When you choose a Lake Charles motorcycle accident attorney with The Johnson Firm, you can expect an exceptional legal experience. We’ll thoroughly review the details of your unique case and help you choose the best option for you and your family as you seek compensation for your damages.

Our experience with dealing with insurance companies, investigating fault, and proving losses all increase your chances of recovering more money.

We’ll work to:

• Collect evidence that proves that the at-fault driver was negligent or reckless
• Seek fair compensation from the insurance company or companies
• Negotiate with insurance companies or the defendant to address all of your losses

Your attorney will keep you informed of every move we make. You’ll never be left wondering where your case stands or where you are in the process of negotiating. You will always be aware of your legal options, including the optimal moves to make given your personal goals.

Our Lake Charles motorcycle accident attorneys are here to help

Hurt in a crash? A Lake Charles accident attorney with The Johnson Firm is standing by to tell you more about how we can help. Contact us online or call  (337) 433-1414 for a free consultation.