New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

For many people, riding a motorcycle is an exciting way to see the world. But motorcycles are also a more risky way to travel. Motorcyclists aren’t shielded from the open road by the same structural protections that other drivers benefit from, and that makes riders much more vulnerable to deadly and life-threatening injuries.

Louisiana motorcyclists are protected by the same traffic laws governing all other motorists in the state. When serious accidents happen, it’s important to determine whether negligence played a role in your injuries and what your legal options may be.

The New Orleans motorcycle crash attorneys at Braud & Gallagher can help. Call 866-254-4979 or use 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 motorcycle wrecks. 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 motorcycle accident victims in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish and throughout Louisiana.

A Winning History

Braud & Gallagher has a track record of success in obtaining top-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Motorcycle Accidents in Louisiana

Motorcycles are increasingly popular among Americans, both as pleasure vehicles and as a lower cost, more fuel-efficient means of transportation. There are more than 70,000 registered motorcycles in Louisiana and countless more that cruise along the state’s highways every day. Unfortunately, not all of those motorcyclists will reach their destination. In 2010, 75 people were killed and 1,478 were injured in Louisiana motorcycle accidents, according to the LSU Highway Safety Research Group.

Motorcycles pose risks to riders that other vehicles do not. There is no protective shell around motorcyclists to act as a buffer in the event of a collision, nor are there airbags or seat belts to soften the impact when a crash occurs. A two-wheeled vehicle is less stable than a four-wheeled one, which means that riders must actively work to maintain balance when braking or swerving to avoid another vehicle, or even just to navigate a bumpy road or pothole.

Motorcycles are also much smaller than other vehicles, which makes them less visible to other motorists. Statistics show that about two thirds of motorcycle crashes are the result of another driver’s violating a motorcyclist’s right-of-way or being unaware that a motorcycle was in their path, according to the Louisiana Motorcycle Awareness Campaign.

Some types of motorcycle accidents are more common than others. Front-end collisions are most frequent and accounted for 1,682 deaths and 19,000 injuries in the U.S. in 2009, according to early estimates from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Many fatal motorcycle crashes occur at intersections when the driver of another vehicle is making a left-hand turn and does not see or fails to properly judge the oncoming motorcycle’s speed. Accidents also happen when drivers of other vehicles neglect to check their “blind spots” or their view is obstructed by road signs, shrubs, or other obstacles.

Injuries in Louisiana Motorcycle Accidents

The likelihood of a motorcycle rider’s sustaining serious injuries in an accident is extremely high.  Roughly 98 percent of multiple-vehicle collisions and 96 percent of the single-vehicle accidents result in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider.  Approximately 27,000 riders and passengers involved in motorcycle accidents in 2009 sustained incapacitating injuries, according to NHTSA. Another 41,000 sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

Head and neck injuries are particularly common in motorcycle accidents, which is why states – including Louisiana – have mandatory helmet laws. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are frequently fatal, but also can lead to some of the most severe disabilities.

Other catastrophic injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents may include:

Recovering from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can take months, or even years. Sadly, some injured bikers may never regain the same quality of life they had before the accident. Aside from the devastating emotional toll that takes on a family, it can also create tremendous financial hardship as well.  When someone else is to blame for injuries sustained in the motorcycle crash, it is important to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to explore what legal remedies may be available.

Every personal injury case is different, but in general a person who has been injured in a motorcycle accident may be able to recover monetary damages from the at-fault party/parties. Those damages are awarded to cover expenses such as:

  • Medical bills;
  • Rehabilitation;
  • Physical and occupational therapy;
  • Costs for adaptive equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs;
  • Lost wages;
  • Loss of productivity;
  • Scars and disfigurement;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Punitive damages (in exceptional cases).

Families who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle wreck may be awarded similar compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Injured? Contact Our New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a family member has been catastrophically injured in a Louisiana motorcycle accident, call Braud & Gallagher at 866-254-4979 or use our online contact form for a no-cost consultation. 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.

Remember, our job is not done until you have won.