Shreveport Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Statistics show that motorcycle riders who get hit by a car can be nine times more likely to be injured than the occupants in the motor vehicle and as much as 37 times more likely to be killed. The reasons are obvious. Motorcyclists aren’t protected inside a shell of steel and plastic specifically designed to absorb the shock of an impact. They don’t have airbags to cushion the blow of a collision or restraints to keep them from being flung into the air. Motorcyclists only have the clothes and helmet they are wearing to come between their bodies and the other car or the road, and that level of protection falls far short in any severe crash.
Motorcycle accident victims face the most severe and catastrophic injuries, including brain and spinal injuries, as well as wrongful death. Injured riders often require extensive and expensive medical treatment with lengthy periods of rehabilitation. At Rice & Kendig, our experienced Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyers work to ensure that our clients get the appropriate medical care and compensation to deal with the bills and disruption to their lives, including working up life care plans to make sure victims with permanent disabilities have a road map and adequate compensation to deal with the challenges a brain or spinal injury or amputation can bring. Our goal is to get you the quality health care you need to recover to the fullest amount possible and the compensation to work and enjoy life to the greatest extent, without the financial stress of dealing with your injury. Call Rice & Kendig after a motorcycle crash in Shreveport-Bossier City or North Louisiana. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your claims, and if you can’t make it to our offices, we’ll come to you as needed.
Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
Motorcycle accidents happen when other drivers don’t notice motorcycles in their vicinity and make an unsafe turn, lane change, sudden stop or other negligent driving maneuver. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, and there are fewer of them on the road, so car drivers often don’t expect to see motorcycles and don’t watch out for them. Accidents can also occur when drivers misjudge the distance and speed of an oncoming bike and make a left turn across the motorcycle’s path. Finally, some drivers just don’t give motorcyclists the respect they deserve and will drive aggressively around the motorcycle, crowding them out of their lane and causing a crash.
Are Helmets Required to Ride a Motorcycle?
Louisiana is one of 19 states with a universal helmet law. All persons operating or riding on a motorcycle in Louisiana are required to wear a safety helmet that is designed for motorcycle use and is properly secured with a chin strap. An adequate helmet is one that includes lining, padding, a visor and chin strap and meets other specifications as established by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Failing to wear a helmet could cost you a traffic citation and a $50 fine, but it could also cost you your life. Helmets do offer protection, and they do save lives, but they can’t prevent all injuries in a crash. If you were hurt in a Louisiana motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another, Rice & Kendig will carefully evaluate the driver’s fault as well as your injuries and fight to get you the compensation you need for quality healthcare and to move on with your life after a catastrophic accident.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Experience on a bike is key to developing the skills necessary for safe riding, including how to maneuver in an emergency, make the right snap judgment calls, and even lay the bike down if necessary. Whether it’s your first day on a bike or your thousandth, however, following a few simple rules can enhance your safety, avoid an accident, or keep you safer in the event of a crash. Consider doing the following:
- Wear a helmet every time you ride
- Wear protective clothing, such as riding leathers
- Make sure your bike is well-maintained
- Always ride with the headlamp on, even during daylight hours
- Ride in the center of your lane
- Signal turns and lane changes well in advance
- Adjust your riding to match the current road and weather conditions and traffic patterns
- Ride defensively – watch out for other drivers and keep a safe distance
When Motorcycle Accidents Do Happen, Skilled Legal Representation is Essential
Unfortunately, the safest or most skilled rider in the world can’t always be safe from a negligent, drunk or distracted driver. There may simply be no way to avoid a crash caused by another’s negligence. At these times, an experienced injury lawyer can make all the difference in obtaining a full and fair financial recovery.
Motorcycle riders face an uphill battle when it comes to recovering compensation after a motorcycle accident. Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers want to paint the motorcyclist as an aggressive or reckless driver who caused or contributed to the accident, and juries are often all-too-ready to swallow this stereotype or at least “compromise” by assigning blame for the accident to both parties. Every percentage of fault allocated to the injured rider reduces the amount of compensation that the injury victim is entitled to. At Rice and Kendig, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys know how to investigate the cause of the crash and hold responsible parties accountable to their victims, while defending our clients against claims their own carelessness or recklessness was to blame.
Passionate Legal Help After a Shreveport-Bossier City Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in Shreveport-Bossier City or North Louisiana, or if you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another, call the motorcycle accident injury attorneys at Rice & Kendig for a free consultation. We’ll listen to what happened and let you know how we can help you get the right healthcare and compensation to put that accident behind you as much as possible.
