Were you hurt in a motorcycle collision? Accidents like these often leave riders like you with a plethora of injuries caused by traffic crashes, and the impact of an experience like this can be life-changing—not only physically and emotionally but financially and legally, too.
While the aftermath of a motorcycle crash can be incredibly difficult to manage, we want you to know that you’re not alone. At Cueria Law Firm, we can represent you as your Prairieville motorcycle accident lawyer and advocate for you every step of the way.
With decades of combined experience, the attorneys at Cueria Law Firm have been helping injured clients recover millions since 1993. You can count on us to protect your rights as your Prairieville personal injury lawyer.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
The lack of a protective frame, seat belts, or airbags means motorcycle accidents tend to result in more serious injuries than those involving passenger vehicles. These are examples of injuries that victims of motorcycle crashes commonly face:
- Traumatic brain injuries, even with helmet use
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Severe road rash and lacerations
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma, such as PTSD
Recovery from these injuries can take weeks, months, or even years. In many cases, victims never return to their previous physical condition or earning capacity.
Louisiana law allows victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages when another party is at fault.
Liability in Louisiana Motorcycle Accidents
Louisiana is a fault-based insurance state, meaning the person responsible for causing the accident is liable for resulting damages.
After a crash, injured parties must show that the other driver—or another third party—was negligent and that their negligence directly caused the injuries.
To establish negligence under Louisiana law, four elements must be proven:
- Duty of care: The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty, such as the expectation that they would follow traffic laws.
- Breach of duty: The defendant breached the duty that they owed to the plaintiff.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the plaintiff to sustain injuries as a result.
- Damages: The plaintiff suffered actual harm, such as costly medical expenses or pain and suffering.
Potentially liable parties in a motorcycle accident may include:
- Other motorists
- Commercial truck drivers and their employers
- Government agencies responsible for road design and maintenance
- Motorcycle or vehicle manufacturers in cases involving defective parts
Helmet Laws and Their Impact on Claims
Louisiana has a universal helmet law, meaning all motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear helmets that meet the specifications of the Department of Public Safety.
The helmet must be secured with a chin strap while the motorcycle is in motion. Failure to wear a helmet does not bar an injured rider from recovering damages. However, it may be considered in the comparative fault analysis.
This is especially likely if the injury involves head trauma that may have been prevented or lessened with helmet use. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize compensation by arguing that a helmet would have reduced the severity of the injuries.
Statute of Limitations in Louisiana Motorcycle Accidents
In Louisiana, an injured person has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
This includes motorcycle accident claims. If a claim is not filed within this time frame, the court may dismiss it entirely, regardless of the severity of the injuries or the strength of the evidence.
Wrongful death cases arising from fatal motorcycle accidents have a one-year statute of limitations, with the clock starting on the date of death.
Insurance Requirements for Motorcyclists in Louisiana
Louisiana law requires all motorcyclists to carry minimum liability insurance. As of 2024, the minimum coverage amounts are:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
These are the same limits required for passenger vehicles. While these minimums satisfy state law, they may be insufficient to cover the full cost of damages in a serious motorcycle accident.
Many riders purchase additional uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to protect themselves in the event they are hit by someone who lacks adequate insurance.
If the at-fault party does not have insurance or flees the scene, the injured rider may need to turn to their own UM/UIM coverage to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Call Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Prairieville Today
A motorcycle accident can leave you with serious injuries that often coincide with a long road to recovery. It’s a situation that’s physically, emotionally, and financially draining—but you don’t have to go through it all alone.
Instead, reach out to Cueria Law Firm to meet with our Prairieville motorcycle accident attorneys. We understand the challenges that riders like you often face in the aftermath of such serious collisions, and we are prepared to stand up for your rights every step of the way.
You deserve compensation for what you’ve been through, and we’re here to help you fight for it. Contact our Prairieville motorcycle accident law firm as soon as you can. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can start pursuing justice on your behalf.