New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
There’s nothing quite like the freedom of riding a motorcycle, whether you’re rolling down country roads or navigating a city like New Orleans. Unfortunately, when riders are involved in crashes, the consequences can be shattering. In one instant, a careless driver can change a motorcyclist’s life forever.
Motorcycle riders face unique dangers. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, even a minor collision can cause extremely serious injuries. When another driver’s negligence causes your crash, you have the right to demand compensation for the costs of your injury.
At Douglas & London, we stand up for injured motorcyclists in New Orleans. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you’re facing, and we’re committed to helping you rebuild your life after a motorcycle accident.
Understanding the Risks Facing Motorcyclists
New Orleans presents unique challenges for motorcyclists. Our historic streets, heavy tourism traffic, and difficult road conditions create hazards that can lead to serious accidents. Some of the most common risks include:
- Distracted tourists unfamiliar with local roads
- Narrow streets with limited visibility
- Potholes and uneven pavement
- Streetcar tracks that can trap motorcycle tires
- Frequent festivals and events creating unusual traffic patterns
When these factors are paired with driver negligence, motorcyclists often pay the price. Even the most careful riders can find themselves victims of another’s carelessness, and that’s where hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer becomes so important.
Why Motorcycle Crash Cases Demand Specialized Experience
Motorcycle accident cases can be very different from typical car accident claims. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of unfair biases against motorcyclists, wrongly assuming riders are reckless or at fault. Police reports may lack crucial details about motorcycle-specific factors that contributed to the crash.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New Orleans
Though any motorcycle crash can have several causes, and often multiple causes, here are some of the most common:
- Left-Turning Vehicles: Drivers often fail to see motorcycles when making left turns at intersections, cutting directly into a rider’s path.
- Dangerous Lane Changes: Vehicles changing lanes without looking for other road users hit motorcyclists riding in their blind spots.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers texting, adjusting GPS systems, or otherwise not focusing on the road often fail to notice motorcyclists.
- Dooring Accidents: Parked motorists opening doors without checking for approaching motorcycles create sudden, unavoidable obstacles.
- Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and poor drainage that might be minor issues for cars can be life-threatening for motorcyclists.
- Impaired Drivers: Drivers under the influence have impaired judgment and reaction times, creating serious dangers for vulnerable motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Injuries Can Have Life-Changing Consequences
When motorcycle accidents happen, the injuries are often severe and life-altering. They include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even with helmets, riders can suffer concussions or more serious brain trauma that affects memory, thinking, emotion, and movement.
- Spinal Cord Damage: Back and neck injuries may cause temporary or permanent paralysis, chronic pain, and limited mobility.
- Complex Fractures: Broken bones—particularly in legs, arms, wrists, and collarbones—often require surgery, hardware installation, and extensive rehabilitation.
- Road Rash: Skin contact with pavement at speed causes severe abrasions that can lead to infection, scarring, nerve damage, and disability.
- Internal Injuries: The force of impact can damage vital organs, cause internal bleeding, or create other life-threatening conditions.
- Psychological Trauma: The emotional aftermath of a serious accident often includes PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of riding again.
These injuries don’t just cause physical pain—they disrupt careers, strain relationships, and prevent enjoyment of activities that once brought joy. Recovery can take months or years, and some riders never fully return to their pre-accident health.
Louisiana Motorcycle Laws You Should Know
Helmet Requirements
Louisiana law requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets, but this doesn’t mean you can’t recover damages if you weren’t wearing one.
Comparative Fault
Louisiana follows a “pure comparative fault” system. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident, though your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance Requirements
Louisiana requires specific insurance minimums for motorcyclists, but these often prove inadequate after serious accidents. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes important in these situations.
Statute of Limitations
You generally have only one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Louisiana—among the shortest timeframes in the country.
Take These Steps After a Motorcycle Accident in New Orleans
The actions you take after a crash can significantly impact both your health and your legal case:
- Get immediate medical attention. Some serious injuries may not show symptoms right away. A thorough medical evaluation creates a record of your injuries and ensures proper treatment.
- Report the accident. Make sure police come to the scene and file an official report. This creates important documentation of the incident.
- Document everything. If possible, take photos of the accident scene, vehicles involved, your injuries, and your damaged motorcycle before anything is moved.
- Gather information. Collect contact and insurance details from other involved parties and any witnesses.
- Preserve evidence. Keep your damaged gear, clothing, and motorcycle as evidence of the crash’s impact.
- Contact an attorney before speaking with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters may use your statements to devalue or deny your claim.
How Douglas & London Fights for Injured Motorcyclists
At Douglas & London, we provide comprehensive support:
Thorough Investigation
We examine the accident scene, review police reports, interview witnesses, and often work with accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly what happened and who was at fault.
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.
Aggressive Negotiation
We handle all communication with insurance companies, presenting compelling evidence of their client’s liability and your damages to secure fair compensation.
Trial Preparation
While most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough approach strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready if court becomes necessary.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
A successful motorcycle accident claim can provide compensation for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical treatment
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Motorcycle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Choose Douglas & London for Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Our New Orleans motorcycle accident attorneys offer:
- Local knowledge of New Orleans streets, traffic patterns, and particularly dangerous areas for motorcyclists
- Experience handling complex motorcycle accident claims
- Resources to investigate thoroughly and build the strongest possible case
- Compassionate support throughout your recovery journey
- Proven results for injured motorcyclists throughout Louisiana
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Contact Douglas & London Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident 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.
