Bicycle Accidents in New Orleans

Every day, cyclists face dangers from distracted drivers, poorly maintained roads, and inadequate bike lanes. When a collision happens, cyclists have little protection against vehicles weighing thousands of pounds.

The challenges bicycle accident victims experience can be overwhelming—serious injuries, growing medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies that minimize your suffering. At Douglas & London, our personal injury lawyers understand what injured cyclists face in New Orleans, and we want to help you rebuild your life after a bicycle crash.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can be caused by many factors. These are just a few of the most common:

Distraction: This includes texting, using navigation systems like GPS, eating while driving, or doing anything that takes the driver’s attention from the road.
Dooring: Dooring happens when a vehicle occupant opens the door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. This can cause a direct impact or cause the cyclist to swerve out of the way.
Impairment: If a driver has consumed drugs or alcohol, they can have slow reaction times, putting nearby cyclists in greater danger.
Poor Road Conditions: Road hazards like potholes or poor water drainage can create dangerous obstacles for cyclists.

The Costly Injuries Suffered by Cyclists

Without the protection of airbags, seat belts, or a vehicle frame, cyclists often suffer severe injuries in collisions:

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even with a helmet, cyclists can suffer concussions or more serious brain injuries that impact memory, cognition, personality, and motor skills.
Spinal Cord Damage: Back and neck injuries can cause temporary or permanent paralysis, chronic pain, and limited mobility.
Broken Bones: Collarbone, wrist, arm, leg, and rib fractures may require surgery and extensive physical therapy.
Road Rash: When skin contacts the pavement at speed, severe cuts and road burn can cause infection, scarring, and nerve damage.
Internal Injuries: The impact of a bicycle crash can damage organs, cause internal bleeding, or create other life-threatening conditions that aren’t immediately visible.

These injuries don’t just cause physical pain—they hurt careers, relationships, and everyday activities that bring joy and purpose to life.

Your Rights as a Cyclist in Louisiana

Many cyclists don’t realize they have the same rights as motorists on Louisiana roads. As a cyclist, you:

Have the right to use most public roads (with some highway exceptions)
Are entitled to a safe passing distance from vehicles
Deserve compensation when injured by a negligent driver

Louisiana’s comparative fault system means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery would simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Important Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

The moments after a bicycle crash can be confusing and painful, but the actions you take can significantly impact your physical recovery and legal claim:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Some serious injuries, including brain injuries, may not show symptoms immediately. A medical evaluation creates a record of your injuries and ensures you receive proper treatment.
Report the Accident: Call the police so they can create an official accident report, which provides important documentation for your claim.
Preserve Evidence: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, your damaged bicycle, and the vehicle involved. Get contact information from witnesses.
Avoid Discussing Fault: Don’t apologize or make statements that could be interpreted as accepting blame for the accident.
Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney: Before talking to insurance companies, consult with a lawyer who understands the unique challenges facing injured cyclists.

How Douglas & London Fights for Injured Cyclists

At Douglas & London, we provide in-depth legal support:

Thorough Investigation: We investigate the accident scene, review police reports and medical records, interview witnesses, and often work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly what happened and who was responsible.

Complete Damage Assessment: We work with medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries, including future medical needs and long-term impacts on your ability to work and enjoy life.

Strategic Negotiation: We handle all communication with insurance companies, presenting compelling evidence of their client’s liability and the full extent of your damages to secure fair compensation.

Trial Preparation: While most cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This approach allows us to negotiate from the strongest possible position and ensures we’re ready if court becomes necessary.

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims

A successful bicycle accident claim can provide compensation for:

Current and future medical expenses
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Bicycle repair or replacement
Physical pain and emotional suffering
Rehabilitation and therapy
Home modifications if needed due to disability
Loss of enjoyment of life

Why Choose Douglas & London for Your Bicycle Accident Case

Our New Orleans bicycle accident attorneys offer:

Local knowledge of New Orleans streets, traffic patterns, and dangerous areas for cyclists
Legal experience handling complex bicycle accident claims
Resources to investigate thoroughly and build the strongest possible case
Compassionate support throughout your recovery journey
Proven results for injured cyclists throughout Louisiana

We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Get a Free Consultation Today

If you or someone you love has been injured while cycling in New Orleans, don’t face this challenge alone. Contact Douglas & London for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and understand your options.

Our team will listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you determine the best path forward. Contact us today to take the first step toward justice and recovery.