Common Motorcycle Accidents We Handle
Each motorcycle accident has unique circumstances, but under Louisiana law, certain driver behaviors repeatedly put riders at risk. Here are the most common types of accidents we see:
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Rear-End Collisions
A bump from behind that a car driver would barely notice can throw a motorcyclist off the bike entirely. We see these crashes most often at Shreveport stoplights and in construction zones, where sudden braking catches trailing drivers off guard. Expert testimony and detailed crash analysis help us pin the fault where it belongs: on the driver who hit you.
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Drunk Driving Accidents
Despite severe penalties, impaired driving remains a serious threat to motorcyclists in Shreveport. When a drunk driver is behind the wheel, our team pursues every available source of compensation, including punitive damages where the law allows it, to help you heal and rebuild.
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Left-Turn Collisions
Intersections in Shreveport are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, especially when drivers turn left without looking. In our experience, the driver was usually distracted, misjudged your speed, or simply wasn't looking for a motorcycle at all. We pull surveillance footage and bring in accident reconstruction experts to show exactly what happened.
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Phones make roads more dangerous for motorcyclists because a driver looking down for even a second can miss you completely. Our legal team subpoenas phone records, gathers witness statements, and reviews traffic camera footage to show what the other driver was doing in the seconds before your crash.
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Unsafe Lane Changes
High-speed lane changes on stretches like I-20 and I-49 are especially dangerous for riders, since a motorcycle is easy to lose in a blind spot. Many drivers skip the shoulder check entirely and lean on lane-change sensors that aren't built to catch a bike. We bring in reconstruction experts to show the crash was preventable with a simple mirror check.
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Dooring Incidents
When a parked driver opens a door without checking for oncoming traffic, the results can be devastating for a rider who has nowhere to swerve. Street-parking corridors like downtown Shreveport carry extra risk for this reason. We hold the driver accountable for failing to look before opening that door.
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Road Hazard Crashes
From potholes on Kings Highway to unmarked construction zones on Youree Drive, road hazards that merely slow down a car can put a motorcycle down entirely. We track down every responsible party, whether that's a government entity or a construction company that left a hazard unmarked.
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Hit-and-Run Accidents
When a driver flees the scene, Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers works with law enforcement to track them down. If the driver is never identified, we turn to your uninsured motorist coverage and any other option available, so a hit-and-run doesn't leave you covering the costs yourself.
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Improper Passing Accidents
Drivers who pass on a two-lane road without enough clearance, or who cut back in too soon, leave almost no room for a motorcyclist to react. These crashes often happen on rural stretches outside Shreveport where drivers underestimate how much space a bike needs. We reconstruct the pass, the timing, and the road conditions to show the other driver created the danger.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries because riders lack the protective barriers cars provide. At Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers, our motorcycle accident attorneys have seen how these serious injuries reach past your health, into your family's future, your career, and your day-to-day quality of life.
- Road rash and soft tissue damage: Severe skin abrasions can require skin grafts and leave lasting scars.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even with helmets, TBIs can cause cognitive impairment, emotional challenges, and lifelong care needs.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can result in partial or total paralysis, significantly altering your daily life.
- Broken bones: Fractures, especially to the legs, ribs, and arms, often require surgeries and prolonged recovery periods.
- Burn injuries: Contact with hot exhaust pipes or engine components can cause severe burns that need skin grafts and long-term wound care.
- Amputation injuries: Crush injuries from a collision can be severe enough to require partial or full limb loss.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, and depression following an accident are just as devastating as physical injuries.
No matter how complex your injuries, Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers is here to fight for your full recovery.
Critical Steps After a Motorcycle Accident
The moments after a motorcycle crash are crucial. Here's what you need to do:
Get Immediate Medical Care
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and prompt medical care creates vital documentation for your case. Keep all medical records and follow your doctor's treatment plan carefully.
Document Everything
If you're able, take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and all vehicle damage before anything is moved. Get contact information from witnesses and note weather and road conditions. Keep your damaged gear and clothing as evidence, and don't repair your motorcycle until our experts can examine it.
Protect Your Legal Rights
Never apologize or discuss fault at the accident scene. Decline to give statements to insurance companies until you've spoken with a motorcycle lawyer. Insurance adjusters often try to use motorcyclists' words against them, so let our experienced team handle all insurance communication.
Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Motorcycle accidents often leave victims grappling with financial, physical, and emotional hardships. Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers will pursue compensation that covers the full scope of your losses.
Medical Expenses
Injuries often require emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, and long-term rehabilitation. We build your claim to account for all current and future medical needs, so you're not left paying for care out of pocket.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, we pursue compensation for missed income and diminished earning capacity. Whether temporary or permanent, the financial impact on your career is fully calculated.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Trauma
Beyond physical injuries, we fight for damages that address the emotional toll, such as anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life. Your claim will reflect the full extent of how the accident disrupted your life.
Property Damage
We account for motorcycle repair or replacement, custom modifications, safety gear, and specialized equipment. At Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers, we treat your bike as the meaningful investment it represents, not a line item on an insurance adjuster's spreadsheet.
Additional Compensation
We also factor in out-of-pocket expenses like transportation, home adjustments, and medical devices when determining the value of your claim.
Louisiana Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Claim
Personal injury law changes more often than most people expect. Our team tracks Louisiana's laws and regulations and keeps you informed at every step of your case.
New Changes to Filing Deadlines
Louisiana law has modified the statute of limitations for personal injury claims:
- For accidents before July 1, 2024: You have one year to file under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492.
- For accidents after July 1, 2024: The deadline extends to two years.
While this gives riders more time to file, we recommend acting quickly while the evidence is fresh and witnesses' memories are clear.
Required Safety Equipment Under Louisiana Law
Louisiana law sets specific safety requirements for motorcyclists:
- A DOT-approved helmet with lining, padding, a visor, and a chin strap, secured while the motorcycle is in motion, under La. R.S. § 32:190.
- Approved eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield, unless the motorcycle has a windshield tall enough to provide adequate protection, under La. R.S. § 32:190.1.
- A working headlamp, under La. R.S. § 32:303.
- A working taillamp, under La. R.S. § 32:304.
- A left-side rearview mirror, under La. R.S. § 32:354.
Louisiana does not appear to require motorcycles to have turn signals; riders without them are expected to use hand signals instead. Failure to meet these requirements doesn't prevent you from seeking compensation but may affect your recovery amount under comparative fault rules.
Insurance Laws and Requirements
Under Louisiana R.S. § 32:861, motorcyclists must carry minimum liability coverage of:
- $15,000 for injury to one person.
- $30,000 for injuries per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage.
Additionally, Louisiana requires insurance companies to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though riders can reject it in writing.
Comparative Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
As of January 1, 2026, Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 uses a modified comparative fault rule with a 51 percent bar. Here's how it works:
- If you're found less than 51 percent at fault, you can still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault.
- If you're found 51 percent or more at fault, you can't recover damages at all.
- Courts can assign fault to multiple parties, including people who aren't part of the lawsuit.
- Accidents that happened before January 1, 2026 are still decided under the prior pure comparative fault rule, so the date of your crash matters. Fault percentages are rarely obvious, and a careful review of the evidence is what keeps you on the recoverable side of that line.
Lane Usage and Traffic Laws
Under La. R.S. § 32:191.1, Louisiana has specific laws affecting motorcyclists:
- Lane splitting is prohibited;
- Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane;
- Riding between lanes of traffic is illegal.
Passing stopped traffic on shoulders is prohibited under a separate statute. A motorcyclist who engages in these practices may be held liable for damage they inflict as a result of their negligence.
Road Hazard Liability
Under Louisiana R.S. § 48:35, government entities must maintain safe roadways. This includes:
- Proper road maintenance;
- Warning signs for hazards;
- Construction zone safety;
- Timely pothole repairs;
- Adequate drainage.
These laws form the foundation of your claim, and knowing them well helps us build a stronger case for you.
Riders Face Bias from Insurers. We Push Back.
Adjusters often assume the motorcyclist was at fault. Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers gather the footage, records, and witness accounts that show what really happened.
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