Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Get answers from an experienced New Orleans lawyer
When you've been hurt in a New Orleans motorcycle accident, your life changes fast. You need medical treatment and can no longer take part in your usual activities. The other driver was negligent, and you feel you deserve financial compensation. The insurance company is making things difficult and you don’t know what to do. You have a lot of questions.
At The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC can help you get answers. Attorney John S. Williams deals with the insurance companies on your behalf so you can focus on getting better. He stands with his clients and fights for the financial compensation they deserve. He will guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
Some frequently asked questions about motorcycle accidents include:
- Should I accept a settlement from the insurance company?
- Do I have to see a doctor after my motorcycle accident?
- What types of damages can I recover after a motorcycle accident?
- What if the motorcycle accident wasn’t my fault?
- What if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident?
- Should I talk to the insurance company after a motorcycle accident?
- How much money can I get for my motorcycle accident?
- Do I need a motorcycle accident lawyer?
Learn more about how we can help you with your New Orleans motorcycle accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who is ready to fight for your rights. Attorney John S. Williams can review the details of your accident, go over your legal options and answer your questions.
Should I accept a settlement from the insurance company?
It’s common for insurance companies to contact people not long after they’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident to offer them a settlement. By this time, your medical expenses may be adding up. You may not be able to work. The insurance company is promising quick payment. It can be tempting to accept their offer.
The truth is their offer will fall far short of covering the damages you have suffered in your motorcycle accident. They are making the offer because it will help them save money. We strongly encourage you to talk to a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer for your accident. We can determine the total amount of damages you have suffered to help you decide what amount is fair.
Do I have to see a doctor after my motorcycle accident?
Following your motorcycle accident, you may be shaken up but feel that you aren’t hurt. We advise you to get medical attention anyway. You could have a head injury or internal injuries but aren’t yet showing symptoms. The only way to make sure you are OK is to have a medical professional give you an exam.
A doctor or other medical professional can also document any injuries you have. This can help you in your claim for financial compensation. Without such documentation, an insurance company may argue that there is no evidence you were injured. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, see a doctor. Then call us.
What types of damages can I recover after a motorcycle accident?
In general, you can seek damages for all current and future medical expenses related to your motorcycle accident injuries and lost wages if you couldn’t work. You can also seek certain other damages as they apply, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and disfigurement.
Insurance companies will fight your claim to try to pay you as little as possible. There are different tactics they use. For example, they may challenge the seriousness of your injuries or argue that they were pre-existing. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer who is ready to fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
What if the motorcycle accident wasn’t my fault?
The driver that hit you may have been speeding, texting or operating recklessly. Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for what happened. Their insurance company may even try to blame you for causing the accident.
That’s because in Louisiana’s pure comparative fault system, your amount of financial compensation will be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. That is why we investigate your motorcycle accident. We know where to look for evidence that a negligent driver caused the accident that left you hurt. Then, John fights for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
What if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident?
Louisiana has a pure comparative fault system when determining financial compensation. That means if you were partially at fault for your motorcycle accident, your compensation will be reduced by the amount of your fault. For example, if you were awarded $100,000 but were found to be 50 percent at fault, you could only recover $50,000.
The insurance company for the other driver in your motorcycle accident will try to place a higher percentage of fault on you. That’s why we investigate your motorcycle accident to get the facts. John knows the tactics that insurance companies use and does not put up with them. He stands with you and helps you fight back.
Should I talk to the insurance company after a motorcycle accident?
You may be contacted by an adjuster for the negligent driver’s insurance company shortly after the accident. The adjuster may just want to ask you a few questions about what happened. You may be asked to make a recorded statement. It sounds harmless and you have nothing to hide, but it’s not in your best interests to talk to them.
The real reason they are calling is to try to get you to say something that can be used against you as you pursue your claim. If you are contacted by the driver’s insurance company, politely decline to answer any questions or make any statements. Explain that you would like to talk to your lawyer first. Then call our office.
How much money can I get for my motorcycle accident?
There’s no simple answer to this question. The amount of compensation you can recover depends on many factors. These factors include the severity of your crash, the types of injuries you suffered, your medical expenses, any lost wages if you couldn’t work and the negligent driver’s insurance policy limits.
John can determine the total amount of damages you suffered because of your motorcycle accident. He can give you an idea of the amount of financial compensation you may be able to recover. He can also let you know what to expect as your case moves forward and the insurance company challenges your claim.
Do I need a motorcycle accident lawyer?
You may hear that you don’t need a lawyer after being hurt in a motorcycle accident. Technically, that’s true, but it’s in your best interest to get one. Let’s put it this way – the insurance companies have lawyers. They would prefer it if you don’t have one because that helps them pay you less than you deserve.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will fight for what’s best for you. An attorney can investigate your accident, preserve evidence, interview witnesses and handle the insurance company on your behalf. An attorney can build strong cases and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. Learn more about how we can help during a free consultation.