Motorcyclists face the risk of severe injury and death in the event of an accident because they lack the level of protection afforded by enclosed vehicles. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, partner with the Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyers at Shamieh Law. We can gather evidence and build a strong claim for compensation on your behalf.
Motorcycle accidents are often some of the most devastating we handle in our personal injury practice. If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, do not wait to reach out to an attorney. The sooner you do, the sooner they can investigate your case and start building a strong claim for compensation against the at-fault party.
Our Lake Charles personal injury attorneys at Shamieh Law are standing by to help. We have the experience, work ethic, and advocacy skills needed to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Why Choose Shamieh Law’s Lake Charles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?
At Shamieh Law, we believe in “Winning With Awareness.” This means we work hard to achieve the best results possible for our clients while treating everyone involved in their cases with the dignity, respect, and compassion they deserve. We believe this approach leaves us well-positioned to secure excellent case results for our clients.
Our top-notch legal team has the skills and experience needed to protect your rights and advocate for your interests during settlement negotiations and in court. When you work with us, you can count on our seasoned lawyers to handle your case with utmost care and attention. As a testament to the high quality of our services, our attorneys have been recognized by:
- Super Lawyers
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
In 2022, there were nine motorcycle accident fatalities and 53 suspected injuries in Calcasieu Parish alone. The top causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Alcohol and drug use
- Speeding and other forms of reckless driving
- Unsafe left turns
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Inexperience driving
- Distracted driving
- Road and weather conditions
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, a motorcycle lawyer at Shamieh Law will investigate the cause of your accident and build a solid legal claim for compensation on your behalf.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists are at high risk of sustaining serious injuries in the event of an accident because, unlike passengers in enclosed vehicles, they have little to no protection from the full force of a collision. According to a study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention, “motorcycle riders have a 34-fold higher risk of death in a crash than people driving other types of motor vehicles.”
The following are some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Facial and dental trauma
- Head injuries and concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including full or partial paralysis
- Burns and road rash
- Neck injuries
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Whiplash
- Scarring, amputation, and permanent disfigurement
- Sprains, strains, tears, and bruises
- Psychological trauma, such as PTSD
No matter the circumstances of your case, our team is ready to handle your claim from start to finish. To us, clients are like family, and you can count on our team to deliver the high-quality, individualized representation you deserve.
Possible Damages in a Lake Charles Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Damages in a motorcycle accident lawsuit can compensate for your financial, physical, and emotional harm. The motorcycle accident attorneys at our award-winning law firm will collect evidence to document your injuries and build a strong case.
You can receive economic damages for your past and future medical bills, lost wages, lowered earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. You can also sue for non-economic damages, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lowered quality of life. However, you need a skilled attorney to argue for non-economic damages, as it can be challenging to place a value on this kind of loss.
Louisiana also allows exemplary damages when intoxicated defendants show a “wanton or reckless disregard” for others and thereby cause injuries while operating a motor vehicle. The purpose of these damages is to punish defendants and deter others from engaging in the same behavior.
What if My Loved One Died in a Motorcycle Accident?
When someone dies in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, Louisiana wrongful death laws allow spouses and children to sue for damages. If there is no spouse or children, surviving parents can sue. If the deceased person was not survived by parents, then their brothers and sisters can sue, followed by grandparents. Plaintiffs can collect damages for funeral costs, loss of future income, loss of companionship, and more through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Multiple parties may be at fault in your motorcycle accident, and you can sue more than one party for the same accident and resulting injuries. Another driver may be at fault for your accident, or the motorcycle driver might if you were a passenger involved in an accident.
There may also be third parties who hold liability. If a defect in your motorcycle caused your accident, you may even have a product liability case against the manufacturer. A claim against a government entity might also be viable if they failed to maintain roads properly, thereby leading to your injuries.
Our Lake Charles motorcycle accident attorneys can help you determine who may be liable for your accident. We have the skills and resources needed to pursue damages from all the potentially responsible parties.
What if I Hold Partial Blame for the Accident?
It is not unusual for more than one party to hold blame for a motorcycle accident. Louisiana is one of the few states that applies the doctrine of “pure comparative fault” in personal injury cases. That means that even if you were 99 percent responsible for the accident, you could still collect compensation through a lawsuit. Your compensable damages would simply be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
For example, suppose you sustained $1 million in damages in an accident with an intoxicated driver, but you were speeding. If a judge determines you were 30 percent at fault, your compensable damages would be reduced to $700,000.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lake Charles Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
The Louisiana statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is one year from the date of injury. However, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after your accident is critical so you don’t miss the short deadline. Doing so also ensures that evidence is collected before it disappears or deteriorates.
There are some exceptions to the rule. However, in most cases, a judge will dismiss your lawsuit if you fail to file it within one year. Once you partner with Shamieh Law, your injury attorney will start gathering evidence and make sure your case is filed on time.
Our experienced attorneys will not stand down if insurers unfairly try to deny your claim for compensation. Sadly, their adjusters often hope you miss the filing deadline because they know you will lose the right to sue for compensation if you do. We will make sure that does not happen.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
There are certain critical steps to take following a motorcycle accident to protect your health and preserve evidence in case you decide to sue.
- Seek medical attention. If you don’t go to the emergency room, see your doctor as soon as possible. Keep all medical records related to your motorcycle accident.
- Call 911 and collect identifying information from the responding officers. Ask them how to get a copy of their report.
- Take pictures and videos of the crash scene. Be sure to document vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, nearby surveillance equipment, signs of intoxication, and anything else that may shed light on what caused your accident.
- Exchange information with the other driver, but don’t discuss the accident. They may try to use what you say against you.
- Talk to witnesses and collect their contact information.
- Hire an attorney with experience handling motorcycle accidents.
Our personal injury attorneys understand the challenges folks face following motorcycle accidents. We can collect all available evidence, investigate the governing law, and build the strongest claim possible on your behalf.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
At Shamieh Law, we support our clients from their free initial consultation to the day they collect compensation through their lawsuit. Our Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyers will help you by:
- Finding a doctor who will treat and document your injuries
- Gathering all available evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Collaborating with experts
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Preparing you to testify in court and out-of-court depositions
- Filing all necessary paperwork on time
- Arguing your case in court if necessary
For over a decade, our personal injury attorneys have proudly served our community by defending the rights of injury victims throughout Louisiana and beyond. We support our clients and their families, keeping them informed throughout the legal claims process.
Contact Our Lake Charles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the personal injury attorneys at Shamieh Law can help. Contact our Lake Charles office by calling (337) 477-7222 or completing our online contact form. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
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- Lake Charles Motorcycle Accidents
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- Lake Charles Truck Accidents
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