New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Crashes, collisions, and roadway mishaps are an unfortunate aspect of modern transportation. Motor vehicle accidents often result in property damage, loss, injury, and sometimes death. But when it comes to motorcycles, the likelihood of sustaining a serious, life-altering injury increases dramatically.

At Lamothe Law Firm, we understand these statistics acutely because we aren’t just lawyers looking in from the outside. Some of us are motorcyclists, too. 

Frank Lamothe, Julien Lamothe, and Richard Martin have been riding for years. With a competition-level membership in the American Motorcyclist Association, Frank has spent time on the Enduro dirt racing circuit tracks and collected placement medals in regional and national racing competitions. He enjoys long-distance riding, too, and has traveled through Canada and Nova Scotia, with many trips to North Carolina to ride the infamous “Tail of the Dragon” mountain roads. 

Frank’s passion and experience for riding give him a unique perspective on motorcycle safety standards. Armed with a deep understanding of motorcycle physics and dynamics, he has a keen eye for determining an accident’s cause and is passionate about protecting his fellow riders from harm. 

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, here’s what you need to know about recouping some of those losses in Louisiana and what the Lamothe team can do to help you get back on the road as soon as possible. 

Motorcycles are small and compact, which offers drivers many great benefits. However, their petite size also puts them at a distinct disadvantage on busy roadways, where the vast majority of motorcycle accidents happen because the driver of a car or truck simply didn’t see them. 

Here are some of the most common scenarios: 

• Left-turning motorists who turn directly into the path of a safely-operating oncoming motorcyclist. 
• Motorists who exit a side street without ensuring the way is clear and pull into an oncoming motorcyclist. 
• Drivers who follow motorcyclists too closely and strike them from the rear. 
• Poorly maintained roadways with unexpected potholes and other unsafe motorcycle conditions. 
• Roadways with design defects that contribute to motorcyclist injuries. 

This list is inconclusive, and motorcyclists aren’t immune from fault. Sometimes, they are partially—or even entirely—to blame for their own injuries. Other times, a negligent motorcycle driver may injure the passenger riding with them.  

Sometimes, accidents happen, and no one is at fault. However, many are tragic results of human error or oversight. These accidents leave victims burdened by unexpected pain, financial hardship, and mental strain. 

The good news is that if your accident was caused by someone else’s mistake, you may be able to recoup your losses from the responsible party. 

In Louisiana, motorcycle accident injuries fall under personal injury law. These rules handle situations where Person A is injured because of Person B’s mistake or negligence. However, for A to recoup losses from B, they must first prove that B was at fault. 

An individual is at fault—and thus, liable for damages—when these elements are met: 

If all of these elements are met, then Person B is probably liable to Person A for covering their losses. If multiple parties are to blame, the responsible parties will split the cost of damages according to their percentage of fault. 

But what are damages, exactly? And how are these amounts calculated in Louisiana?

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify financially. This is because they address the abstract losses and intangible impacts of an injury on a person’s life and well-being. 

Here are some common examples of non-economic damages:

• Physical pain stemming from the injury. 
• Emotional distress and psychological suffering. 
• Anxiety, depression, fears, and other mental anguish. 
• Loss of enjoyment of life, including activities, experiences, and hobbies that are no longer feasible. 
• Loss of companionship, affection, and support from friends and family members. 
• The loss of intimacy from a spouse or partner. 
• The physical and emotional strain on the marital relationship due to the injury.  
• Emotional impact of disfigurement and changes in appearance, such as scars and amputations.  
• Damage to reputation and social standing. 

Bills and receipts can’t measure these damages. Calculating them requires a subjective assessment of documentation from before and after the injury, along with a compelling presentation of how the injury affected their life as a whole. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney can help you paint that picture and fight for your right to the best possible outcome. 

Motorcycle accident injuries aren’t pretty, and sometimes, these accidents lead to catastrophic injuries or even death. 

If a close family member was killed in a motorcycle accident, you may want to speak with an experienced Louisiana attorney today about wrongful death. Wrongful death claims compensate a victim’s next of kin for the economic and non-economic losses associated with their death. This compensation covers things like: 

• Funeral and burial costs. 
• Medical costs leading up to death. 
• Loss of income. 
• Loss of economic benefits.
• Emotional harm. 
• Pain and suffering. 
• Loss of companionship.  
• Loss of guidance, especially if a child has lost that vital parental support. 

In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is typically one year from the time of death, so it’s important not to wait. While money can’t bring back your loved one, it can make the grieving process easier and soften the financial burdens associated with this incredible loss.