How Common Are Bike Accidents in Louisiana?

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Louisiana saw 35 bicycle accident fatalities and more than 500 reported bicycle accident victim injuries in 2021. Of these bicycle collision fatalities, more than 30% were the result of alcohol-related causes.

New Orleans, Louisiana, is among the top 20 cities in the U.S. for workers biking to their place of employment, and bicycling is steadily on the rise in the state for recreational use as well. With more bikes on the road, it is necessary for both bikers and motorists to be more aware of bicycle laws and the dangers inherent in bike riders sharing the roadways with much heavier and more powerful motor vehicles.

If you have been in a bicycle accident, the first thing you must do is seek immediate medical care for any injuries you may have suffered in the accident. After receiving proper medical attention, you should contact a personal injury lawyer at our firm to represent your legal interests. With a strong accident claim, our legal team can help you recover a fair settlement for your injuries and other losses.

How is Fault Determined in a Bicycle Crash?

Bicycle accidents can lead to life-altering injuries and even potentially wrongful death. Because of the severity of a bicycle accident injury, it is essential that injured bikers seek professional legal representation for their personal injury cases.

As your legal representatives, our highly skilled legal staff will fight for your legal rights in and out of court as you pursue compensation for your injuries. When looking to obtain financial recovery for your damages, it may be necessary to establish faults and prove negligence.

There are various rules of the road that pertain to cyclists and motorists operating their vehicles in the vicinity of a bicyclist. It is important that both the motorists and the bicyclist have a full comprehension of the relevant traffic laws. A violation of those laws could result in them being held accountable for any resulting accident.

In many personal injury cases, it is necessary to prove negligence on the part of the at-fault party. Sometimes, this is easier said than done. Contact us for legal advice.

What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes?

Common causes of bicycle accidents include the following:

  • Cars driving in bike lanes.
  • Dangerous weather conditions.
  • Distracted driving or bike riding.
  • Driving under the influence of drugs.
  • Drunk driving.
  • Failure to signal before making a turn.
  • Opening car doors without looking.
  • Reckless driving.
  • Riding too close to a motor vehicle.
  • Speeding.
  • Texting while driving or riding a bicycle.
  • Unsafe lane changes.
  • Road debris and other dangerous road conditions.

Who Bears Legal Liability for a Bicycle Accident in Louisiana?

To file a claim against at-fault parties, it must first be determined who holds liability for the bike accident. In the most obvious sense, the at-fault negligent driver is the party that holds the most liability for the accident. However, it may not begin or end there. For example, even if you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, it is likely that the driver’s insurance company provider will be the one responsible for settling the claim. However, if the settlement exceeds their insurance policy, it is possible that you may need to seek additional compensation from the drivers themselves.

Depending upon the type of traffic accident you suffered, additional liable parties may be held accountable for their action or inaction that led to the crash.

Could There Be Multiple Liable Parties in Bicycle Accident Cases?

If the at-fault driver was on the clock as a delivery driver, rideshare app driver (like Uber or Lyft), or food dasher, then additional parties beyond the driver themselves may be held accountable. Depending upon what stage of the delivery or rideshare experience the driver was in at the time of the accident, the commercial trucking company, rideshare company, or delivery app company may be held partially accountable for damages incurred because of the accident.

If mechanical failure, vehicle defects, or other issues that should have been taken care of by mechanics or manufacturers were the cause of an auto accident, those parties may be held liable for damages. It is vital that you hire experienced traffic accident lawyers to represent your case so that you can pursue a fair settlement from all liable parties.

In certain circumstances where construction, road defects, debris, or other issues that should have been addressed by state or local municipalities were the cause of an accident, it is possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against a government entity.

What Happens if a Bicyclist Was Partially at Fault for Their Accident?

Louisiana is a comparative fault state. This means that multiple parties may hold liability for causing an accident. This may even include the biker or other accident victims. If you, the cyclist, were partially responsible for causing the bicycle accident, you may be held partially liable. Under Louisiana laws, this may reduce the total financial settlement you may recover.

Contact Us for a Free Case Review with an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you suffered economic or non-economic damages because of a bike accident, you should not be the one responsible for paying those expenses. As your personal injury lawyers, our team will endeavor to hold the at-fault parties liable for their actions so that you can recover the compensation reserve.

Please contact our law firm to schedule a free initial consultation today. (225) 258-2881.