Thousands of Louisiana residents ride bicycles each day, both for commuting and for fun. While biking can be a healthy and efficient way to travel, it is also fraught with dangers. Statistics show that there were 758 crashes between bikes and motor vehicles in Louisiana in 2010, according to the LSU Highway Research Safety Group. Of that number, 11 people died and almost 600 were injured.
Many motorists view cyclists as nuisances and do not respect their rights on the roads. But Louisiana law classifies bicycles as vehicles just like any other car, truck or motorcycle. The same traffic rules apply. When drivers disregard them, tragic bike accidents can occur.
If you’ve been injured, contact the talented New Orleans bicycle accident attorneys at Braud & Gallagher by calling 866-254-4979 or by filling out our online contact form for a free consultation.
The skilled legal team at Braud & Gallagher is committed to protecting the rights of victims who have sustained catastrophic injuries in Louisiana bike crashes. Our attorneys combine years of legal expertise with innovative technology and aggressive trial techniques so that clients receive the maximum amount of compensation in the shortest amount of time possible.
We have a philosophy at Braud & Gallagher: Our job is not done until you have won.
Braud & Gallagher represents accident victims in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, St. John the Baptist and throughout Louisiana.
A Winning History for Our New Orleans Accident Lawyers
Braud & Gallagher has a proven track record of success in obtaining top-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients
About Louisiana Bicycle Accidents
As bikes have increased in popularity in recent years, national public awareness campaigns have urged people to learn the traffic laws and to obey them. Although the number of bike accident injuries and fatalities has decreased, the numbers are still high. Federal statistics report that 630 cyclists died and 51,000 were injured in bicycle accidents across the country in 2009. However, that number could be much higher. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center reports that a search of hospital records indicates that only a fraction of bicycle accidents causing injury are recorded by police each year.
When accidents happen, most drivers claim that they simply did not see the cyclist in their path. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the majority of fatal bicycle-vehicle accidents can be attributed the following causes:
- Distracted driving;
- Running a red light or stop sign;
- Backing up or pulling out without looking;
- Turning at intersections (both left and right);
- Failure to yield the right-of-way;
- Sideswiping cyclists on the shoulder or in the turning lane;
- Making unsafe lane changes;
- Drunk driving.
Injuries in Louisiana Bike Crashes
Like pedestrians and motorcyclists, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when accidents happen. Aside from a helmet, bike riders have little to protect them from direct contact with other vehicles, fixed objects and the pavement itself. Bikes are smaller and harder to see than cars. They also weigh nothing compared to the average 3,000-pound sedan, which can make the impact of a collision particularly violent.
Head injuries are the most common cause of death for bicyclists. Helmets have been shown to cut down on the risk of traumatic brain injury by as much as 88 percent, according to NHTSA. However, they are not foolproof devices, especially in high-speed bike-car collisions.
Other serious injuries typically sustained in bicycle accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Back injuries;
- Herniated discs;
- Knee and shoulder damage;
- Facial fractures;
- Scarring and “road rash”;
- Broken bones;
- Paralysis, including quadriplegia and hemiplegia;
- Amputation;
- Internal organ damage;
- Burns;
- Wrongful death.
Damages in Louisiana Bicycle Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle crash because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive money to compensation for your suffering. In Louisiana, injured cyclists or their families generally can receive money to cover expenses such as:
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Lost future earnings;
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy;
- Costs of long-term nursing care;
- Costs of adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers;
- Pain and suffering;
- Punitive damages (in exceptional cases).
Contact Our Louisiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
Braud & Gallagher attorneys will handle your Louisiana bicycle accident claim with commitment and won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if they believe you received an unfair settlement offer. For a free case evaluation, call 866-254-4979 or use our online form.
Remember: Our job is not done until you have won.
Our Louisiana accident attorneys represent injury clients in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, St. John the Baptist and throughout Louisiana.
