New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The area around New Orleans is well-known and popular to motorcycle enthusiasts. Whether picking your way down the Gulf Coast, following the winding Mississippi or skirting along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans offers an endless stream of scenic routes and a variety of roads, including undivided two-lane highways like LA 307 and the four lanes of US 90. Whether commuting to work on a bike to beat the traffic and save money on gas or enjoying a weekend ride, experienced bikers know the risks and challenges they face on the road from negligent and distracted drivers. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to be killed in a crash than the occupants of a passenger vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS also found that motorcycle riders made up 14% of roadway deaths in 2017, despite the fact that motorcycles account for only about three percent of registered motor vehicles on the road.
There’s no question that motorcycle riding can be dangerous, and there’s no question that the negligence of other drivers can cause serious and even fatal motorcycle accidents. Insurance companies and jury members may be quick to lay the blame for a motorcycle accident at the feet of the biker. At the Palazzo Law Firm, our New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyers start with the facts. We investigate the accident thoroughly to determine who was at fault, and we go to great lengths to hold responsible parties accountable for the injuries and damage caused by their negligence. Call the Palazzo Law Firm in Gretna for a no-cost consultation after a New Orleans motorcycle accident. We’ll let you know how we can help and go to work right away securing medical care and compensation on your behalf.
What causes motorcycle accidents in New Orleans?
Year after year, some of the same types of motorcycle accidents happen over and over. Common reasons for New Orleans motorcycle accidents include:
- Drivers misjudge the speed and distance of oncoming motorcycles and turn left into their path
- Drivers do not consider that motorcycles might be in the vicinity, and they fail to check their mirrors and blind spots or signal long enough in advance before making a lane change or turn
Passenger cars are being made safer every year, but motorcyclists continue to ride with nothing to protect them from harm in a car wreck beyond a helmet and riding leathers. Riders who survive a collision with a car may be left with serious and catastrophic injuries such as compound fractures, burn injuries, loss of limb, spinal injury or traumatic brain injury. Injured riders need aggressive and experienced legal help to recover the compensation they’ll need to deal with their serious injuries and regain their function and quality of life. Families who lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident can pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver to recover funeral and burial expenses and other compensation.
How can motorcycle riders protect themselves from New Orleans motorcycle accidents?
If you are an inexperienced rider, practice riding with other experienced riders to gain valuable riding experience. Knowing how to handle your bike in an emergency is key to avoiding a collision or protecting yourself as much as possible. Other steps you can take include:
Ride defensively – You know other drivers aren’t looking out for you, so you’ll need to look out for them. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, signal your own intentions before executing a maneuver, and anticipate changes in traffic patterns or driver behavior.
Stay visible – This includes wearing bright or reflective clothing and riding with your headlamp on even during daylight. It also includes keeping out of blind spots of cars and trucks on the road and riding at a predictable speed.
Wear a good helmet – A good helmet at a minimum will carry certification from the Department of Transportation (DOT). You can also choose a helmet certified by the Snell Memorial Foundation. Helmets with thermoplastic or reinforced composite shells provide strong protection from a head injury, and full-face helmets may further protect the face and chin as well.
Call our Experienced and Successful New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Unfortunately, riding with all the care in the world can’t always protect you from a drunk, speeding, reckless, negligent or distracted driver. If you or a family member has been hurt in a New Orleans motorcycle accident, call the motorcycle accident attorneys at the Palazzo Law Firm in Gretna at 504-433-1442. We’ll work hard to see that you get all the medical care and compensation you need after a crash caused by another’s negligence. Your consultation is free, and there’s no fee until after we win your case.
