Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

You do not see motorcycle accidents every day, but when a motorcycle accident occurs, the possible injuries and damage to victims and property can be devastating. Motorcycle ridership is less popular than motor vehicle drivers, but the risks to a motorcyclist at any given moment are far more significant throughout Louisiana and Alexandria. Sitting along major routes such as I-49 and US Highway 71, many drivers and motorcyclists can pass through the city of Alexandria each day. Whether on their daily commute or passing through the area to the north or south of the city, thousands of travelers come in and out of the area each and every day.

If you are a victim in a motorcycle accident, our Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyers at Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers, may be able to help. Motorcyclists injured in an accident because of another driver's negligence have the right to pursue compensation for their losses through either an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Guide

After a Motorcycle Accident in Alexandria, Contact Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers

There is no such thing as a minor motorcycle accident. Any motorcycle crash can result in severe and life-threatening injuries or the tragic death of a victim. At Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges you face as a motorcyclist, the severity of the injuries you are likely to experience, and the long-term consequences those injuries can cause on the remainder of your life. The distress a motorcycle accident can cause goes beyond the physical, emotional, and mental anguish of injuries and the collision. In addition, you are likely dealing with financial uncertainty and stress when you cannot work, cannot meet your responsibilities, and need continued medical care and support. Our team of lawyers and staff want to help victims of a motorcycle accident fight for their rights and get the compensation they need to meet the demands following a crash and help them move forward.

At Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers, we have over 20 years of experience helping over 50,000 personal injury victims in our communities, including Alexandria. We serve clients nationwide and have an office location conveniently located near Alexandria in New Orleans, LA, on Poydras St. Our team understands the challenges you may be facing as a motorcycle accident victim and can help accommodate your needs as best we can. Contact us to schedule a free motorcycle accident case evaluation. 

What is the Value of Your Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Reports and studies on the impacts and damages associated with motorcycle accidents reveal that these types of traffic accidents are some of the costliest in the nation. The losses attributed to motorcycle accidents during just one year across the US can exceed $16 billion. These damages take into account the medical treatments necessary for victims and the economic impacts on their lives resulting from the injuries they sustain. As an individual motorcycle accident victim, your damages will not be in the billions but can have an enormous impact on your life and finances. The treatment alone for the serious injuries you can sustain in a crash can easily surpass tens of thousands of dollars. When you also consider your loss of income and other damages, the amount of economic and noneconomic losses can become overwhelming to comprehend.

At Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers, we work to fight for our client's interests and the maximum damages possible following a motorcycle crash. Although we cannot know with certainty the amount of compensation you may be eligible for at the beginning of a claim, we can work alongside you to ensure that we account for all of your losses and negotiate with the liable parties for the best possible resolution.

Damages that you can seek monetary compensation for after a motorcycle accident include:

• Medical costs
• Loss of income
• Future loss of earnings and continued medical treatment necessary
• Pain and suffering, including mental, emotional, and physical trauma and distress
• Impacts to the quality of your life, enjoyment of your life, and relationships
• Property damage, including repairs to your motorcycle or the value of the loss of your property
• In the case of the death of a motorcycle accident victim, wrongful death damages may be available

Motorcycle Crashes in Alexandria

Motorcycle ridership in Louisiana is not as high as in other states, but the number of people that choose to ride motorcycles in the state is still significant. There are over 100,000 registered motorcycles in Louisiana. Unfortunately, although ridership is not high in the state, motorcycle accident fatalities are some of the worst in the country. Louisiana ranks fifth in the US as one of the deadliest states for motorcycle riders. During just one year, Louisiana can experience nearly 80 motorcycle accident deaths and many more motorcyclists that survive but suffer serious or disabling injuries.

Motorcycle accidents can occur on any road, but congested roadways and roads with higher speed limits, such as interstates and highways, can be especially dangerous. In Alexandria, the greatest risk of serious motorcycle accidents may occur on roads such as I49, US Highway 71, US Highway 165, and the network of state roads and other streets that weave through the city and the surrounding Rapides Parish area.

Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

The biggest risk to a motorcycle rider on the road is, by far, other drivers. Motor vehicle drivers that engage in negligence behind the wheel of a car endanger the life of motorcyclists that may be traveling around them. While motorcyclists can take actions to adapt to deteriorating weather conditions or unexpected road conditions, they cannot predict the potentially dangerous behaviors of a reckless or negligent driver. Many accidents involving motorcycle riders occur in scenarios where a rider does not see the oncoming vehicle or cannot maneuver to avoid the collision in time. There are several factors that can contribute to a motorcycle crash. However, there are certain situations that are more likely to end in a crash, causing injury or death to a rider, than others.

Common types of motorcycle accidents:

• Vehicles rear-ending a motorcycle stopped in congestion, at traffic lights, or at stop signs
• Drivers that make left-hand turns haphazardly into an oncoming motorcycle's right of way
• Collisions caused by vehicle drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Distracted drivers making lane changes or drifting into a rider's right of way
• Speeding drivers that run traffic lights or fail to follow traffic signs
• Sideswipe accidents by drivers that cut off a rider

Injuries to Motorcycle Accident Victims

Unsurprisingly, in a collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle, the motorcyclist is at the biggest risk of fatality and serious injuries. That is not to say that injuries cannot also affect vehicle occupants because they can result in serious accidents. However, for a motorcycle rider to suffer serious or life-threatening injuries, it can take very little speed and force in an accident for it to occur. A motorcycle crash often ends with a rider being thrown off their motorcycle into the hard pavement, into a vehicle, or into oncoming traffic. A rider can suffer injuries from the initial impact, from the subsequent impact as the momentum ceases, and are still at risk if they fall into the road. Motorcycle accident injuries can require intensive medical care, surgeries, hospitalization, long-term rehabilitation, and a wide range of treatment possibilities. For many motorcycle riders, their lives are never the same after a crash, and they will deal with the effects of the accident for the rest of their future.

Motorcycle accident injuries may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Laceration
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Road rash
• Burns
• Soft tissue injuries
• Dislocations
• Amputation
• Internal bleeding and injuries

Fighting the Insurance Company for Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

As a motorcyclist, you are at a serious disadvantage when dealing with insurance companies in Alexandria. Motorcycle riders are often perceived as reckless, and the insurer may attempt to place the blame for the accident on you. When the actions of a driver amount to negligence and cause a collision with a motorcyclist, they are likely primarily responsible and, in turn, liable for the crash, not the rider. At Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers, we understand the unfair bias and treatment that motorcycle riders can experience when trying to file and settle an accident claim. We can fight for our client's rights and can advocate for fair compensation for your damages. We can gather the evidence available to build and support your case to prove who is to blame and the damages you incur after a motorcycle crash.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Alexandria?

After a motorcycle accident, your worry and stress likely surround your injuries and your well-being. A motorcycle accident is a terrifying experience, and if the injuries to you are severe, you may be in a fragile state for some time following the crash. As you deal with the injuries and determine your recovery, you can begin to take steps to protect your legal rights in Alexandria. Some things can happen after a motorcycle accident that can interfere with a claim or cause a disruption leading to delay or an unjust denial from an insurance company. To prevent unfair actions from occurring and protect your rights, you should take the following steps if you are a victim of a motorcycle accident.

Follow Your Medical Care Plan

Your main priority in the aftermath of the motorcycle accident is to ensure you do whatever is in your power to heal and recover from the injuries you sustained in the crash. Your recovery timeline is likely long, and various obstacles may lead to frustration or uncertainty about how the injuries may continue to impact you in the future. Dedicating your energy to recovery can help you reach the maximum recovery. It is possible that you may never recover fully from your injuries, but understanding what you can or can't recover after a motorcycle accident can help you plan for the future and grasp just how much of an effect the injuries will have as you move forward.

Collect Records, Receipts, and Evidence

It can be difficult to see how a bill, receipt, or paperwork following a doctor's appointment or repair can have a future impact on the case. Often, victims may assume that getting access to records and receipts can happen at any time. However, things can happen. Records can get lost, shops can close, and then when you need to show certain evidence, it may no longer be available. To save yourself headaches and challenges down the line, keep any and everything that relates to the motorcycle accident and the recovery of your injuries from the accident. Your attorney can review these records to keep anything relevant and beneficial to the case.

Create a Journal of Your Experience

Recovery from motorcycle injuries is hard. It can be hard on you physically, emotionally, and mentally. As you work through your recovery, it can be helpful to you and your case to keep a record of your experience. You can journal the recovery of your injuries and the impacts that you are experiencing from the accident and its aftermath on your life. It can take longer than you expect to resolve a motorcycle accident claim, and you may need help remembering important dates, details, and developments that occur after the crash.

Contact Stewart J. Guss Accident Injury Lawyers to Help You With Your Motorcycle Accident Case

Do not hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney in Alexandria as soon as possible following a motorcycle crash. Let an Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer help you and advise you as to your options to seek compensation under the law. You may have extensive injuries keeping you from work, interfering with your income, and leading to significant medical bills. Hire a lawyer to help you fight for the damages incurred by a negligent driver through an insurance claim or lawsuit if necessary.