Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Miller & Hilgendorf fight for the rights of motorcyclists after serious accidents. If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you might be entitled to receive compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, but you may only have a limited time to make a claim. The motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge are here to learn more about your situation through phone or text. Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge at 225-343-2205 today.
Who is At Fault After Most Motorcycle Accidents in Baton Rouge?
There are many more scenarios where an automobile driver can fail to see a motorcyclist, meaning that after most motorcycle accidents, the other driver is often at fault. Motorcyclists take up a smaller profile on the road. Drivers are accustomed to looking out for other motor vehicles and not for motorcycles. This can lead to situations where automobile drivers collide with a motorcyclist. Another very common accident is when drivers turn left without seeing a motorcyclist. Left turn accidents are among the leading cause of injury and death among motorcycle riders. Finally, when automobile drivers are distracted, they are less likely to see motorcyclists. When drivers increase their cognitive load by looking at their phones or talking, they have less cognitive bandwidth to see vehicles on the road with a smaller profile.
Yet, motorcyclists are also required to follow laws specifically set forth for riders. For example, motorcyclists are required to wear helmets when operating or riding on a motorcycle. Riders are also not permitted to engage in “lane splitting” where a motorcyclist rides between two cars in the middle of two lanes. If a motorcyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet or was in violation of motorcycle specific laws, then negligence can be more complicated and, in some cases, liability of the driver could be reduced.
Who is at fault after an accident is important. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana the person at fault for an accident pays damages. If both parties were at fault, damages might be split accordingly. Louisiana is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning if you are even 1% at fault for a motorcycle accident, you would have to pay 1% of total damages. Even a small percentage of fault can result in big wins, especially if a person was seriously injured or disabled.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence or fault, you might be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyers at Miller & Hilgendorf are here to help you after your motorcycle accident. We can identify negligent or responsible parties and hold them accountable. We fight for justice for motorcycle riders.
What Can I Do If I’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident in Baton Rouge?
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Baton Rouge, especially in areas prone to accidents like Nicholson Drive and West Lee Drive, Nicholson Drive near South Boulevard, and Airline Highway where it meets Bluebonnet Boulevard, and others, it’s important to take steps to protect your safety and your rights.
- Stop and call the police and render aid to anyone who has been hurt.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries and follow the instructions of medical personnel and first responders.
- If you can, take photos of the accident scene and any injuries.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Get the name and contact information of any witnesses.
- Don’t accept blame for the accident. Let police and your insurance companies figure that out. State the facts and nothing else.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Seek the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyers at Miller & Hilgendorf are here to help you navigate the next steps. Negotiating an insurance settlement after a car accident in Baton Rouge isn’t always straightforward. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet in Baton Rouge?
Under Louisiana law 32:190 no person is allowed to operate a motorcycle or ride on a motorcycle without a proper helmet. If you were riding a motorcycle without a helmet, you were breaking the law. Yet, when it comes to determining whether you can still recover damages after a motorcycle accident if you weren’t wearing a helmet, the situation is more complicated. If your injuries involved traumatic brain injury or head injuries, then the amount of money in damages you may be able to recover may be limited. If the severity or type of injury was a direct result of you not wearing a helmet, then your ability to seek damages might be limited. Yet, there are situations and injuries where wearing a helmet doesn’t change the outcome. Bodily injuries, road rash, broken bones, internal injuries, certain spinal cord injuries, and more might not be impacted by helmet use. Furthermore, some motorcycle accidents are so severe that even if a person had been wearing a helmet, death or serious injury would not have been prevented.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Baton Rouge, and weren’t wearing a helmet, you need a strong motorcycle accident lawyer working on your side. At-fault drivers and insurance companies will try to deny your claim because you weren’t wearing a helmet. You need a competent motorcycle accident lawyer who can make a strong case for how a motorcycle helmet wouldn’t have changed the outcome of your case or injuries. Concerned about your rights after a motorcycle accident? You are not alone. Reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Miller & Hilgendorf today. We can help you understand how the specific circumstances of your case could impact the outcome of your motorcycle accident claim.
How Do I Know Who Was at Fault After a Motorcycle Accident in Baton Rouge?
Police, insurance companies, and your motorcycle accident lawyer will look closely at police reports, witness statements, video evidence, and other evidence to determine who was at fault after a motorcycle accident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Determining fault involves a thorough understanding of motor vehicle laws and a deep investigation into the circumstances that led to an accident.
Sometimes an accident where one driver may appear to be clearly at fault, could hide other factors that could result in the other party being found at fault. For example, if it is later determined that the automobile driver was drinking and driving, this could impact who was to blame for a motorcycle accident.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident in Baton Rouge, don’t accept blame for the accident. Don’t apologize at the scene of the accident. Call the Baton Rouge, Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyers at Miller & Hilgendorf today to protect your rights and take the next steps. Understanding negligence after a motorcycle accident often requires investigation, an understanding of traffic law, and more. Reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Miller & Hilgendorf today to learn more and protect your rights.
How Can I Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
The motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Miller & Hilgendorf can be reached at 225-343-2205. We can take your call by text or by phone. Our Baton Rouge, Louisiana motorcycle accident attorneys understand the unique challenges and bias that motorcycle riders face after an accident. We are here to help. We offer new clients a free initial consultation and can offer you guidance on the next steps. You only have a limited time to make a claim after an accident. Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana today.