MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
PRACTICE AREAS
SHREVEPORT MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Northwest Louisiana area, you need a dedicated advocate on your side. Michael Vergis, an experienced Bossier City/Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyer, understands the unique challenges that riders face on the road. With a proven track record of helping accident victims, he and his legal team are prepared to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or the emotional toll of your injuries, having our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys by your side can make all the difference.
At The Law Offices of Michael J. Vergis, we pride ourselves on providing strong legal representation for those injured in motorcycle accidents. We know how complex these cases can be, from determining liability to negotiating with insurance companies. That’s why we’re committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process, working tirelessly to help you rebuild your life after a serious accident.
To get in touch with Attorney Michael Vergis, call (318) 698-3724 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation today.
What are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents happen for many different reasons, often leading to severe injuries for the motorcycle rider. One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, like most other car accidents, is distracted driving. When car drivers fail to pay attention to the road, they may not see other drivers, especially if that’s a motorcycle rider, potentially leading to dangerous collisions. Other frequent causes include unsafe lane changes, where other drivers don’t check their blind spots before merging or switching lanes, and drivers making left-hand turns in front of motorcycle riders, misjudging their speed or distance.
In addition to distracted driving and unsafe lane changes, motorcycle accidents can also be caused by speeding, driving under the influence, and failing to follow traffic laws. Poor road conditions, such as potholes and debris, also play a role in these types of traffic accidents, making it challenging for riders to maintain control.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Due to the lack of protection compared to cars and other larger vehicles, motorcycle riders are significantly more vulnerable to serious injury in the event of an accident. Below are some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): One of the most catastrophic injuries that can result from a motorcycle crash is a traumatic brain injury. These injuries happen when the head suffers a significant impact, and even with helmets, motorcycle riders are still vulnerable to TBIs.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Back and spinal cord injuries can be equally devastating, especially if they result in partial or complete paralysis. These catastrophic injuries can affect mobility and independence, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, along with mounting medical bills and lost wages.
- Road Rash: Another common injury following motorcycle accidents occurs when the skin scrapes across the pavement, causing painful abrasions. While mild cases heal over time, severe road rash can result in infection, permanent scarring, and the need for skin grafts.
- Broken Bones: The force of a motorcycle accident often results in fractures, especially in the arms, legs, and ribs. While broken bones can sometimes heal on their own with a cast, depending on the severity, they may require surgery and prolonged physical therapy.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash and other neck injuries are common in motorcycle accidents due to the sudden impact. These injuries can cause chronic pain and limited mobility, affecting a rider’s quality of life and ability to work.
- Internal Injuries: The impact of a motorcycle crash can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding and other life-threatening conditions. These injuries may not be apparent at first, so it’s crucial to seek medical treatment immediately following a motorcycle accident.
Injuries caused by motorcycle crashes can have life-altering consequences, leaving injured riders facing long-term medical care, significant financial burdens, and emotional distress. In the most tragic situations, motorcycle accidents can also result in fatal injuries, leaving families devastated and facing unexpected loss. In such cases, a Shreveport wrongful death lawyer like Michael Vergis can help families pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice and financial compensation for their loss.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Being involved in any type of auto accident in Shreveport/Bossier can be overwhelming, but knowing the steps to take afterward is crucial for your safety and protecting your legal rights. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to stay calm and prioritize your well-being.
Below, our Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyers outline the key steps you should follow if you’ve been in a motorcycle crash. Not only can these steps ensure your safety, but they can also protect your legal rights in the event you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Remove Yourself from Impending Danger
Your first priority after a motorcycle accident is your safety. If possible, move away from the road or areas where more harm could occur, such as oncoming traffic. Getting to a safe location can help prevent additional serious injuries and ensure you are out of immediate danger.
Do Not Remove Protective Gear
Even though you may want to remove your helmet or other protective gear after a motorcycle crash, it’s important not to do so until medical professionals arrive. Removing your gear too soon could aggravate any neck injuries, spinal injuries, or other serious injuries you may have sustained.
Call 911
After ensuring your safety, call 911 immediately. In motorcycle accidents, injuries are often severe, and even if you feel fine, you could have internal injuries that require immediate attention. Medical professionals can assess your condition, while police will document the scene. Accident reports are crucial for any personal injury claim and for determining liability.
Gather Evidence
If you are physically able to do so, begin gathering evidence from the scene. Take photos of the traffic accident, including the damage to your motorcycle, any visible injuries, and the vehicles of other drivers involved. Be sure to collect contact information from witnesses and all parties involved in the accident. This evidence will be crucial when pursuing a motorcycle accident claim against the other party’s insurance company.
Contact a Shreveport Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Once you’ve received medical attention and reported the accident, seeking legal representation is crucial, particularly if it was caused by the other driver’s negligence. Shreveport personal injury lawyer Michael J. Vergis and his legal team are prepared to guide you through the legal process, handling communications with both your motorcycle insurance company and the other party’s insurance company and helping you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Who is Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?
In many motorcycle accident cases, other drivers are found to be at fault due to negligent behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield, or making unsafe lane changes. When a motorcycle crash occurs because a driver fails to follow traffic laws or properly check for motorcycle riders, that car driver is often held responsible for the accident and any resulting injuries.
However, responsibility isn’t always clear-cut. In some motorcycle accident cases, factors beyond the actions of the drivers involved may play a role. Poor road conditions, such as potholes, debris, or uneven surfaces, can make it difficult for motorcyclists to maintain control.
Additionally, mechanical failures, whether in the motorcycle or another vehicle, can contribute to a crash. In these cases, third parties, such as government entities responsible for road maintenance or manufacturers of faulty vehicle parts, may also share responsibility for the accident.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney like Michael Vergis will thoroughly investigate all possible contributing factors to ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Determining Fault in Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Claims
In Louisiana motorcycle accidents, the pure comparative negligence rule means that more than one party can share responsibility. Even if the motorcycle rider is partially at fault, they may still be able to recover compensation for their injuries. However, the compensation may be reduced based on the percentage of fault. For example, if a motorcycle rider is 30% at fault, they can still recover 70% of the total damages.
The process of determining fault in Bossier and Shreveport motorcycle accidents involves analyzing evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and any available video or photos from the scene. At The Law Offices of Michael J. Vergis, our Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate all the details leading up to the traffic accident to determine liability and ensure that motorcycle accident victims obtain all of the compensation they are entitled to.
How Much Can You Get From a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
Like with all types of personal injury cases, the amount you can receive from a motorcycle accident settlement depends on several factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, and the extent of your medical expenses and overall financial losses.
In many motorcycle injury cases, victims can recover compensation for hospital bills, ongoing treatment, physical therapy, lost wages, and other related costs. Non-economic damages can also be pursued, which includes compensation for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
If a fair settlement that accounts for all of these damages cannot be reached, attorney Michael Vergis is fully prepared to take your case to trial, where he will fight for a court award to cover your losses and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
As victims and their families know, motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries, leading to extensive medical costs, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs. That’s why, after a motorcycle accident, hiring a Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights and securing fair compensation for these needs. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to assess the full impact of these injuries and will ensure all aspects of your personal injury claim are considered when seeking a settlement.
For one, Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyers play a huge role in helping injured riders negotiate with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize payouts, offering low settlements or questioning the severity of your injuries in an attempt to reduce compensation. An experienced attorney, however, knows these tactics well and can effectively counter them.
They will gather strong evidence, present a clear case, and negotiate assertively on your behalf to seek the maximum compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. With an attorney on your side, you stand a much better chance of securing a fair settlement that fully addresses the impact of your injuries.
Of course, when settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your attorney will take on an even more extensive ole and prepare your case for trial, where they will challenge the liable party head-on and fight for all of the damages you are rightfully entitled to.
How Our Shreveport Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
As a seasoned Bossier City-Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyer, Michael J. Vergis is dedicated to guiding you through the legal process after a motorcycle accident. We know that dealing with the aftermath of serious injuries can be overwhelming, from managing mounting medical expenses to coping with the emotional and physical challenges of recovery. Our goal is to ease that burden by providing the legal support you need during this difficult time.
At The Law Offices of Michael J. Vergis, our legal team takes a thorough approach to every case. We will conduct a detailed investigation, gathering essential evidence like accident reports, witness statements, and any other crucial documentation that can strengthen your claim. We understand how vital it is to build a solid case, whether we’re negotiating with insurance adjusters for fair compensation or preparing to take your motorcycle accident case to trial.
Our commitment is to fight tirelessly for the best possible outcome for you. Whether that means negotiating a favorable settlement or pursuing justice in court, you can trust our Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyers to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Shreveport/Bossier City Motorcycle Accident Attorney Michael J. Vergis Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another, don’t wait to get the legal support you deserve. With years of experience litigating various personal injury cases, Bossier City/Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyer Michael J. Vergis is committed to helping victims and their families seek compensation for their injuries, medical costs, lost income, and more, ensuring they receive a fair settlement or award that fully reflects the impact of the motorcycle accident on their life.
Call (318) 698-3724 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with Shreveport motorcycle accident lawyer Michael J. Vergis today.
Spanish