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Top 8 Most Common Causes Behind Motorcycle Accidents in Louisiana

motorcycle accident in Louisiana

For some, owning and riding a motorcycle is a way of life — not just simply a form of transportation. However, this way of life can occasionally have serious consequences. Being involved in a motorcycle accident in Louisiana may be dangerous, if not deadly. If you do ride a motorcycle and are involved in an accident in New Orleans, contact Breaux Law Firm for a free consultation to see what we can do for you.

Here is a list of the top 8 most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Louisiana:

Left turns

Left turns are the leading cause of motorcycle accidents. The reason why it is so difficult for drivers to see a motorcycle when making a left turn has to do with all of the different things requiring the left-turning motorist’s attention before and while making a left turn. Louisiana law states that a motorist should exercise extreme caution when making left turns, as left turns are more dangerous than other types of turns in Louisiana.

Unsafe lane changes

Unsafe lane changes are risky behaviors that cause major accidents and injuries.  Drivers of cars, busses or commercial cargo tracks may not notice a motorcycle if they don’t check their blind spot before switching lanes.

Inexperienced driving

Inexperienced driving is a common cause of motorcycle accidents in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana. Whether it is you on your motorcycle, or a newly licensed automobile driver, taking the time to educate yourself completely before entering the road is wise.

Drunk or drugged driving

Drunk or drugged driving is dangerous and illegal for any driver, but it can be even more so if on a motorcycle. Since you have little protection surrounding you, getting hit by a drunk driver or operating your motorcycle while intoxicated can be extremely deadly.

Sudden stops

Sudden stops are dangerous because they require those behind you to pay attention. While we hope motorists on the road are always paying attention, getting rear-ended in New Orleans can throw you off your bike and land you in ways that can cause serious injuries.

Car doors

Car doors are important to keep an eye out for, as not every driver is looking before they open their door. While a person opening a car door into traffic will likely be at fault for a resultant accident, every motorcycle driver in New Orleans should drive defensively.

Motorcycle defects

Motorcycle defects can cause unforeseen issues. Make sure you check your bike before you ride, and stay informed regarding any recalls that may affect you.

Tired driving

Hitting the road while fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, and easily result in motorcyclists suffering severe harm.

Defective parts

In some cases, the liable party may not be another driver at all, but rather the manufacturer of a defective part (such as brakes or tires) that bears responsibility for your injury.

Road hazards

Potholes and inclement weather are always concerns, but other crashes on the road can be dangerous for motorcyclists, such as if an improperly loaded long-haul truck has overturned and spilled cargo on the road.

Inclement weather and dangerous road conditions

Inclement weather and dangerous road conditions can increase the likelihood of having an accident occur, so make sure to drive defensively when the weather is bad which, as all of us Louisianans know, is often.

The experienced attorneys at Breaux Law Firm are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to answer any questions you may have about being a passenger in a car accident in New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana. Call us now for a free consultation at (504) 882-0545.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We don’t get paid until you do. The attorneys of Breaux Law Firm have what is called a “contingency fee arrangement” with each and every one of our clients. A contingency fee arrangement means that the attorney’s fee is taken out of the total amount of money recovered for the client, once the client’s case is settled. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm are happy to meet with you FOR FREE to discuss your case, to answer any questions you may have, and to let you know if we think you have a good case.

The short answer is YES. If you’re the owner or the driver of the motor vehicle you were in at the time of the accident and neither you nor the vehicle you were driving has automobile insurance, then the adverse insurance company will get a credit for the first $15,000 in damages that they would have otherwise owed you, as described below. If you were a passenger in a vehicle where neither it nor its driver has insurance, you will still be able to recover, because you’re not the owner nor the operator of the uninsured vehicle. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm stay informed on all laws involving insurance and the other legal areas we practice. We take the guesswork out of Louisiana state laws, and guide you through the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.

“There shall be no recovery for the first fifteen thousand dollars of bodily injury and no recovery for the first twenty-five thousand dollars of property damage based on any cause or right of action arising out of a motor vehicle accident, for such injury or damages occasioned by an owner or operator of a motor vehicle involved in such accident who fails to own or maintain compulsory motor vehicle liability security.
La. Stat. Ann. § 32:866

Breaux Law Firm is licensed to practice law throughout the state of Louisiana. However, Breaux Law Firm, in conjunction with other respected attorneys, has also represented clients from many other states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, California, and more.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Our office is located at 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 1820, Metairie, LA 70005. You’ll find plenty of parking available in our visitor parking lot, along with a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Of course, you can always reach us through our 24-hour phone line at (504) 914-7779.

NO, YOU DO NOT. We don’t get paid until you do. The vast majority of the time, the conscientious attorneys at Breaux Law Firm will be able to let you know if your case is likely to succeed at the FREE initial consultation. If the case doesn’t work out, you owe us nothing and we will bear our own costs.

In Louisiana, you have ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT to file a lawsuit to recover damages due to an accident; this concept is known as the statute of limitations or prescriptive period. Once your accident occurs, the clock starts ticking. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm stay informed on all laws involving injury law, as well as the other legal areas we practice. We know that legal language can be confusing and hard to understand, as you can see below, so we work hard to make the process of filing a claim as easy and positive as possible.
“Delictual actions are subject to a liberative prescription of one year. This prescription commences to run from the day injury or damage is sustained.”
La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3492

YES, the law office of Breaux Law Firm works with all types of medical providers and will assist you in obtaining the medical care that you need for your injuries.

There are several ways to take care of your property damage after an accident. The most common way is to make a claim against the liable insurance company which covered the at-fault party at the time of the accident. After making a claim against the liable insurance company, the liable insurance company is supposed to appraise the damage to your vehicle by sending an appraiser to inspect the vehicle wherever it’s located. Within a reasonable time, the liable insurance company is supposed to make a liability determination. If the insurance company accepts liability, they will put you in a rental car and arrange for your vehicle to be repaired. You’re entitled to a rental car, paid for by the liable insurance company, until your car is fixed and ready for you to pick up. The liability insurance company must adjust the property damage within thirty (30) days of their receiving a satisfactory proof of loss. The attorneys at Breaux Law Firm stay informed on all laws involving insurance and the other legal areas we practice, translating confusing legal jargon, as you see below, into clear guidance for our clients.
“All insurers shall make a written offer to settle any property damage claim, including a third-party claim, within thirty days after receipt of satisfactory proofs of loss of that claim.”
La. Stat. Ann. § 22:1892