Riding a bicycle is a great way to exercise, get fresh air, and save plenty of money. You can travel easily and freely throughout New Orleans. Unfortunately, riding a bicycle can also mean you could get in a New Orleans bike accident and suffer severe injuries.
If you have been injured, you need help from a New Orleans bike accident legal service. Bicycle accident injuries often end catastrophically due to the impact of a moving vehicle. A New Orleans bicycle accident attorney with Desiah Law Firm, LLC can help you hold the liable party accountable for their actions. Our firm offers a free case review to discuss your claim, and our bicycle accident attorney works on a contingency fee basis, so we do not get paid unless you win your bicycle accident case.
Get a New Orleans bicycle accident lawyer to defend your rights when a bicycle accident occurred
Traditional bicycles have always been an enjoyable way for people to get around, take leisurely trips with their friends and family, and enjoy some fresh air throughout New Orleans. Bicycle riders have a right to use roads safely without fear of danger. Many roadways in New Orleans have a bike lane which protects the bike rider’s space when traveling with other vehicles.
Tragic bike accidents can occur when drivers of motor vehicles do not pay close attention to riders. It is important that bicyclists seek medical attention immediately to avoid having severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries. After a bicycle accident occurs, a police officer should be called to arrive and make an official police report of what they observed.
A bicycle accident lawyer should then be called immediately so they can get to work right away collecting evidence, talking to eyewitnesses, ensuring you receive proper medical care, and starting the legal process to seek compensation on your behalf.
Desiah Law Firm, LLC represents victims of tragic bicycle accidents
Our law firm will immediately jump into action to secure compensation for the injuries caused by a negligent driver. Bicycle accident victims often suffer the worst possible injuries of any personal injury case due to the lack of protection they have against an oncoming motor vehicle. A bicycle accident lawyer will seek economic and non-economic damages that include the following:
Economic
Economic damages refer to the losses you suffered as a result of the injuries the defendant caused. Your attorney can help you value the damages because they are tangible losses that can easily be verified. Economic damages can include:
- Lost wages – your attorney will seek compensation for any sick leave, vacation time, or missed pay.
- Lost earning capacity – if your injuries prevent you from the ability to earn a living in the future, your attorney will look at the level of your impairment, your age, your industry, and your future potential earnings.
- Medical expenses – both past and future medical expenses to cover physical therapy, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, surgeries, hospitalizations, mental health counseling and other accident-related medical bills.
- Property damages – the value of damaged property can include the cost of repairing or replacing a bicycle, helmet, and any property on your person at the time of the accident.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages are to compensate you for the intangible losses that occurred from your injury. Intangible losses are more difficult to value, but your attorney will look carefully at medical records, testimony from specialists, and more. Non-economic damages can include:
- Physical pain
- Humiliation
- Emotional anguish
- Reputational damage
- Worsening of prior injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or impairments
Our bicycle accident attorney at Desiah Law Firm, LLC will work tirelessly to recover compensation on your behalf and ensure you receive proper medical benefits.
Desiah Law Firm, LLC offers bicycle accident victims the experience and expertise they need
A New Orleans bicycle accident attorney brings the experience and expertise needed to carefully prove a negligent driver caused the bicycle crash. Louisiana bicycle accident cases can be emotional and overwhelming for everyone involved. Since many bicycle accident cases result in life-threatening injuries, it is important to have an attorney from Desiah Law Firm, LLC, on your side to work for a fair settlement on your behalf.
A knowledgeable lawyer will carefully review medical records from the hospital, and your treating physicians, evidence collected at the scene, and official police reports written from when the police arrive on the scene. If a personal injury accident occurred between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, car insurance claims can be submitted by your bicycle accident attorney to seek full compensation for your injuries.
Bicycle accidents can occur in New Orleans for several reasons
Bicycle safety requires riders and motor vehicle drivers to follow road safety, follow the laws of the road, and be aware of their surroundings. Other times, bicycle accidents can occur for reasons not involving other vehicles. The following are common causes and types of bicycle accidents that lead to serious injuries:
- Parked cars: A vehicle rear-ends a bicyclist who is trying to maneuver around a vehicle parked in the bike lane.
- Car doors: The driver of a parked van, truck, car, or other motor vehicle opens the car door directly in the path of bicyclists traveling in designated bike lanes. Dooring accidents are a leading cause of bicyclist injuries.
- Right turns: A vehicle cuts off a bicycle when entering the road or making a dangerous right turn.
- Wrong direction: The bicyclist may be riding on the wrong side of the road (against oncoming traffic).
- Quick moves: The driver or cyclist makes a dangerous and unexpected move in a traffic lane.
- Failure to stop or yield: The driver or cyclist fails to yield at a stop sign or runs a red traffic light.
- Distance: A motorist does not leave at least three feet of distance between themselves and a bike when passing the bicyclist.
Louisiana law states that a bicyclist has the same duties and same rights as motor vehicle drivers. Despite no statewide requirement for adults to wear helmets, protective gear is the best way to stay protected. Through the legal process, a bicycle injury lawyer in New Orleans will work to get you fair compensation if you have been injured in a bicycle accident.
A bicycle accident lawyer will handle the legal process for you
New Orleans bicycle accidents can be complicated for bicycle accident victims, especially when they have suffered severe injuries and can no longer work to pay their monthly bills in addition to their mounting medical bills.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit requires time and energy to gather evidence and get the proper documentation submitted by strict deadlines and statutes. A New Orleans bicycle accident lawyer can gather evidence on your behalf, handle all negotiations with the insurance company, and bring your claim before a judge or jury if financial compensation cannot be agreed upon with the responsible party and their insurance company.
A bicycle accident attorney will gather evidence for your bicycle accident claim while you recover
Our bicycle accident lawyer aims to protect cyclists safely using Louisiana roadways as their mode of transportation. Our legal team is experienced in proving the negligence of the responsible party.
Various Louisiana laws pertain to bicycle safety, including the Colin Goodier Protection Act, which discusses the passing of bicycles by motorists. If a driver has broken one of the Louisiana bicycle laws, we will present that evidence to the insurance company or judge to prove the at-fault driver caused your injuries. An accident lawyer with Desiah Law Firm, LLC offers bike riders a free consultation to discuss the details of their accident to determine if they may be eligible for compensation.
Desiah Law Firm, LLC will negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation
With a New Orleans bicycle accident case, it can be difficult to prove that traffic laws were broken. If a motor vehicle located in a bike lane causes a crash or opening a car door creates an accident, injury victims are entitled to seek compensation for their injuries. Insurance companies may try to downplay the injuries from New Orleans bicycle accidents so their payout is lower. Our dedicated attorney will fight to negotiate full compensation on our behalf.
You have a limited time to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New Orleans
The statute of limitation for personal injury cases in Louisiana is one year from the date of injury. This time frame comes and goes quickly, and our bicycle accident attorney can help you gather the necessary information and meet all deadlines in a timely manner.
Let our successes help your bicycle accident case
Desiah Law Firm, LLC has won millions of dollars for our injured clients, and we will work just as hard for you and your case.
Recent clients had this to say:
“My experience with the Desiah Law Firm was smooth & stress-free, Travis educated me on the process. He was attentive, he returned my calls promptly and left no questions unanswered.” -LaTonya
“Mr. Travis was the best. He did everything in a professional and timely manner. He kept me updated every step of the way and would always return my calls. He made sure I got what I deserved. I would definitely recommend his services to anyone.”
-Makiah Ashley
New Orleans bicycle accident frequently asked questions
Who is usually at fault if a bicycle is involved in an accident?
Bicycle-car crashes are split fairly evenly, with 49% being the fault of careless bicyclists and 51% of accidents caused by negligent motorists.
What happens if you have an accident with a cyclist?
If you are a driver involved in an accident with a bicyclist, culver help you immediately. Check the cyclist for injuries and offer medical assistance to the best of your ability.
What do you do if a bike crashes?
The most important thing to do if you have been involved in a bike crash is to move yourself out of harm’s way if you are able to do so. If your injuries are life-threatening, you should not move because you could cause additional harm. Call for help to receive medical intervention and document the accident scene as best you can with photos and videos. Contact a bicycle accident attorney to help you further.
Desiah Law Firm, LLC is your bicycle accident advocate
When you head out for a bike ride, the last thing you expect is to be involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle. No matter how careful you may have been, if someone injured you, you must protect your legal rights. Let us be your bicycle accident advocate and help prove the negligence of the driver who hit you. Contact Desiah Law Firm, LLC today for a free legal consultation using our secure online contact form.