Since motorcyclists don’t have the same protection as car drivers do, crashes often end in severe injuries and casualties. With over 110,000 registered motorcycles on Louisiana roads, hundreds of accidents occur annually. More than 50 of them end in fatalities.
If you were injured or lost a family member in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. By consulting a Shreveport motorcycle accident attorney from Morris Bart, you can get an objective case evaluation and improve your chances of recovering damages.
How to Recover Damages in a Motorcycle Accident
The key to recovering fair damages after a motorcycle accident is proving negligence of another party. If you can determine who is responsible and prove that their negligent actions caused your injuries, you can count on compensation.
The steps to getting the money you deserve include:
Collecting Evidence
If you aren’t severely injured in the accident, you can make photos and shoot videos of the accident scene. Take as many photos as you can. You can also ask witnesses to do it for you.
If you didn’t collect any evidence right after the accident, don’t worry. An attorney can do it afterward. However, you shouldn’t wait too long because evidence can be lost.
Speaking to Witnesses
Witnesses can help paint the full picture of the crash and determine liability. If you didn’t get their contact details, the police probably did. During case investigation, your attorney can obtain the police report to study witness testimonies.
Contacting an Attorney
While you can make your case without a motorcycle accident attorney, working with one can usually increase the payout. Consider contacting a Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyer as soon after the accident as possible. The earlier the legal professional will start working on your case, the easier it will be to build a stellar strategy.
Documenting Your Damages
Throughout the case, you have to document all the expenses you incur due to the motorcycle accident. This doesn’t just include medical or bike repair bills. You may also need to keep a journal to show how your life has changed after the accident.
Your attorney can consult you on which records to pay special attention to.
Negotiating a Settlement
Once you prove negligence and collect proper evidence, you can negotiate a settlement with the other party’s insurance company. Keep in mind that the company’s goal is to minimize the payout. That’s why legal support is highly important at this stage.
Going to Court
Sometimes, motorcycle accident cases proceed to court. This can happen if the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance or the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement. While you can represent yourself in court, getting legal assistance comes highly recommended.
Doing all the above while you are recovering from serious injuries can be tough. That’s why many motorcyclists choose to hire a motorcycle accident attorney. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Shreveport can handle the entire case from the very beginning and fight hard for the money you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a Motorcycle Accident lawyer serving Shreveport, call 800-537-8185
How to Prove Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Proving negligence in a motorcycle injury case starts with determining liability. First, you, your attorney, and insurance companies figure out who is responsible for the accident. In motorcycle crashes, the responsible parties usually are:
- Another driver – in many cases, car drivers don’t notice a motorcycle or can’t evaluate its speed properly. As a result, crashes occur. When the accident is the car driver’s fault, you can file a claim with their insurance company. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you can take the case to court.
- Pedestrians – jaywalking pedestrians could cause the motorcyclist or another vehicle driver to swerve or brake suddenly. As a result, a crash could occur.
- Bike manufacturers – a poorly installed or faulty part could cause the motorcyclist to lose control of the bike and crash.
Once you determine whose fault the accident is, you need to demonstrate that:
- The at-fault party has a legal duty of care to you. This means that they are obligated to act reasonably to avoid hurting you. All traffic participants have a legal duty of care to each other.
- The at-fault party breached the legal duty of care. Usually, this means that the person or entity didn’t act reasonably to keep you safe.
- The at-fault party’s breach led to injuries. This means you have to demonstrate how a mistake on the road or in the factory led to your injuries.
- Injuries resulted in damages. You have to show how your injuries led to expenses and decreased your quality of life.
To prove negligence, you would need to collect as much high-quality evidence as possible, speak to eyewitnesses, hire expert witnesses, and much more. If you decide to hire a motorcycle accident attorney, they can take care of the above steps.
Shreveport Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Damages You Can Claim in a Motorcycle Accident
If you can prove negligence in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to three types of damages:
- Economic damages – all past and future expenses related to the accident, including medical costs and lost wages
- Non-economic damages – all non-tangible damages related to the changes in your quality of life, including pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages– all damages related to pre-death medical and funeral expenses
If your case goes to court, the judge may also assign punitive damages. This can happen if the at-fault party’s behavior was highly outrageous.
Click to contact our Shreveport Personal Injury Lawyers today
Contact an Experienced Shreveport Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may need help recovering damages. A motorcycle accident attorney in Shreveport can help you get the money you deserve.
A personalized approach coupled with many years of experience helped our legal team win thousands of cases. Contact us for a free consultation today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
