Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

At Bart Bernard Injury Law, we understand the devastating toll motorcycle accidents can take. Our experienced team fights to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Don’t let insurance companies paint you as the villain; we’ll stand by your side, advocating relentlessly for your justice and recovery. While our offices are in Texas and Louisiana, we help clients across the United States.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

We Help Motorcycle Accident Victims Get Compensated

The Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers understands that most motorcycle riders are safe and law-abiding. We don’t want insurance companies to take advantage of you. We’ll fight aggressively on your behalf every step of the way, from the first days after an accident until a satisfactory settlement or verdict is secured.

Hit and Run

Reckless Driving

Unsafe Left Turn

Uninsured Motorist

Road Hazards

Alcohol Related

Open Car Doors

Motorcycle accident statistics

Some Statistics about Motorcycle Accidents in the US

safety tips

reduce your chances of being involved in a motorcycle accident.

If you are considering riding a motorcycle in Louisiana, it is important to be aware of the risks and take steps to reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. Here are some safety tips for motorcycle riders:

Our Commitment to You

Compassionate Advocacy

We genuinely care about our clients and are committed to understanding your unique needs and concerns.

Experienced Negotiation:

We are skilled negotiators and will work tirelessly to reach a fair settlement with the responsible parties or their insurance companies.

Thorough Investigation

Our legal team will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident to determine liability and gather crucial evidence to strengthen your case.

Aggressive Litigation

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court and advocate vigorously for your rights in front of a judge and jury.

Motorcycle Accident

Passenger's Rights

There are a few different options for passengers who are injured in a motorcycle accident. First, your own insurance company may cover you. Filing a claim with your insurer would prevent you from filing a claim against the driver you were a passenger to, who is most likely somebody close to you. But you may also file a claim with that driver’s insurance. Many people are hesitant to do so, but remember that it is their insurance company that foots the bill; it’s the entire reason they have insurance in the first place. Another option is to file a claim against the driver of another vehicle who was to blame for the accident. Finally, it is possible to file a claim against each driver involved in the accident, as long as each one bears some blame for it. You might want to do this if a single driver’s insurance is insufficient to fully compensate you. If you’re unsure of what to do, a lawyer can help you understand your options.

No Fees

Unless We Win

Your Recovery, Our Mission: No Win, No Fee! At Bart Bernard Injury Law, we’ll fight for your compensation on a contingency basis, so you can heal without financial worries.

Frequently Asked

Questions

How Common Are Louisiana Motorcycle Accidents?

Statewide accident data from Louisiana State University reveals that in a typical year, there are approximately 2,000 motorcycle crashes in Louisiana—or 0.74% of all Louisiana vehicle crashes. Considering their low overall prevalence, however, motorcycle accidents in Louisiana account for a disproportionate amount of injury (1.84% of total) and fatal (7.47% of total ) crashes.

I Was Not Wearing a Helmet at the Time of My Accident. Can I Still Recover Damages?

Yes. Although Louisiana has a helmet law, this doesn’t mean that you are barred from recovering damages caused by the careless actions of another. If, however, your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries (e.g. you suffered a head injury in the crash), your compensation may be reduced by an amount equal to your negligence under the state’s “comparative negligence” law. For example, if your total compensation is $100,000 but you are 40% to blame for the accident, your compensation is reduced by $40,000 to $60,000. Comparative negligence may also apply if you were speeding, disobeyed a traffic signal, or otherwise did something that partially led to the accident.

I Was In a Hit and Run Motorcycle Accident. How Can I Go About Recovering Damages?

It’s hard to imagine how a driver could knowingly cause a crash and then just drive away – but it does happen. If it happened to you, your losses should be covered by the uninsured/underinsured motorist provision of your own motorcycle insurance policy, provided you have this coverage. If you do not, the hit-and-run perpetrator may eventually be found by police and made to owe up to their actions. Law enforcement may pursue criminal charges against the driver, but you’ll need to bring a civil lawsuit against the driver in order to recover compensation. A lawyer can help you sue the driver for negligence. A lawyer can also help if your UM/UIM claim is denied.

Does Louisiana's No Pay, No Play Law Apply To Motorcyclists?

No Pay, No Play makes it mandatory for all motor vehicle drivers, including motorcyclists, to carry liability insurance that meets the state’s minimum insurance requirements. If you do not have insurance and you are involved in an accident, you may not recover the initial $10,000 worth of property damage or bodily injury damages from another driver, even if the other driver is negligent. In other words, your failure to carry insurance incurs a $10,000 deductible should you suffer losses in an accident. Exceptions to this rule include accidents with an intoxicated driver or a hit-and-run driver.

What Can I Do To Help My Attorney In My Motorcycle Accident Case?

Your attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve, but there are some things you can do to protect your interests. Motorcyclists are commonly, and unfairly, portrayed as being reckless even when they ride safely. Follow the steps below to help your attorney build a strong case on your behalf:

Do not give any statements to the other party’s insurance company.
Share the information you obtained at the accident scene (the contact information of any witnesses, photographs of the scene and vehicles, etc.) with your attorney.
Visit your doctor and follow all orders he or she gives you.
Take photographs of your injuries and keep a journal of your daily condition.
Preserve the clothing and gear you were wearing at the time of the accident.
Keep all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses stemming from the accident.
Consult your attorney if you are unsure of what to do.

I Had Aftermarket Parts Installed On My Motorcycle. Can I Be Compensated For Them?

You should be compensated for any custom work you had done to the motorcycle. You will, however, likely need to provide proof of the aftermarket parts’ value to the insurance company. If you have custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage on your bike, you might consider filing a claim for the damaged motorcycle through your own insurance company, which will then seek reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance (assuming that another driver caused the accident).

What Can I Expect To Recover As the Victim of a Motorcycle Accident?

While the actual amount of your claim is difficult to determine, the types of damages you’re eligible to receive in a personal injury lawsuit include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, and possibly extra damages known as punitive damages.

My Husband Was Killed In a Motorcycle Accident. Am I Entitled To Compensation?

Yes you are, although the type of lawsuit you’d file would be a wrongful death claim rather than a personal injury claim. A successful wrongful death claim would compensate you for funeral expenses, medical bills, your spouse’s expected income and retirement benefits, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages (extra damages meant to punish the defendant) may also be awarded. If there is no surviving spouse or children, other family members (parents, brothers and sisters, and grandparents) may also file a wrongful death claim.

If the Other Driver Was Texting and Driving Does That Make Him or Her Negligent?

Texting while driving is not only illegal in Louisiana, it is also strong proof of another driver’s negligence. It is relatively easy to prove, through phone records, that a driver was texting at the time of an accident.

How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit?

You have only 1 year from the time the accident occurred to file a lawsuit. It is therefore imperative that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

For a Free Consultation

Contact Us

Motorcycle accident injuries range from broken bones and soft tissue injuries to permanently disabling head, neck and spinal cord injuries. And as the statistics make clear, the harm suffered in a motorcycle crash is sometime fatal. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Get strong legal representation that won’t stop fighting until your case is resolved. To receive your free case review, contact Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers today.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not legal advice. It is for general informational purposes only. The use of this website does not establish an attorney-client relationship.